Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, members of the Church of Scientology are carrying forward a long-standing tradition: supporting their communities through practical outreach that aim to reinforce dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a belief central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved without contributing to the welfare of one’s fellow human beings.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their partner organizations have led hundreds of community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers hosted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from street and park clean-ups, disaster-response training, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Comparable programs took place in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all delivered under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Whereas some groups distinguish between belief and action, Scientology places serving the community at the heart of spiritual development. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a teaching that shapes the Church’s social programs. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to public education efforts on drug prevention, literacy, and human rights, each action embodies the idea that supporting one’s neighbors is an essential part toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has taken practical form through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has been distributed to millions in more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers students to learn about and advocate for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, showcase the Scientology view that fostering greater moral awareness in society is a prerequisite for individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Brussels, Rome, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become recognized contributors in civic life, often collaborating with local associations to address social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work complements the European Union’s emphasis on human rights awareness and local involvement.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a cornerstone of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and the United Nations. “When individuals learn to take responsibility for their communities, they also deepen their awareness of their own true identity. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only self-determination, but shared responsibility for the world around us.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most recognizable expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, launched in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their bright yellow uniforms, VMs are active in over 200 nations, offering support in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during flood response in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, post-earthquake relief in Italy and Croatia, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their workshops — open to anyone regardless of belief — teaches practical tools to resolve conflict, enhance understanding, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the conviction that people, when given practical help and empathy, can overcome despair and regain control of their lives. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has struck a chord worldwide.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to direct assistance, Scientologists have focused significantly on education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and organized awareness events in cooperation with schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have engaged students through school-based activities, helping young people see dignity as a right for everyone.
Each of these programs is backed by Church members but carried out jointly with non-religious organizations, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This commitment to collaboration has gained appreciation from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, service to others news europawahl is not distinct from their religious practice — it is the path through which spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are spiritual entities without end, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both self-directed learning and compassionate action. Helping one’s community thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” added Arjona. “Scientologists contribute to this tradition by bringing ethical insights into practical action — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life