Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are carrying forward a long-standing tradition: contributing to the public good through humanitarian actions that aim to restore moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty 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 conducted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from local clean-up drives, disaster-response training, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Comparable programs took place in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all carried out under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or news eureka ca social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology places assisting those in need at the center of individual growth. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a insight that underpins the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to public education efforts on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action demonstrates the idea that helping people is an indispensable step toward one’s own spiritual awareness.
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 dozens of countries and more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to learn about and advocate for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while open to all regardless of belief, illustrate the Scientology view that fostering greater moral awareness in society is a prerequisite for individuals to grow in awareness and freedom.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Vienna, Rome, and Brussels, Scientology Missions and Churches have become recognized contributors in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to address social challenges such as social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work complements the European Union’s focus on community engagement and human rights education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a peaceful and inclusive society,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the European Union. “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 a collective duty to uplift society.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most visible expressions of this ethos is the Volunteer Ministers (VMs) program, created in the 1970s in response to what Hubbard described as the “moral decay” of modern life. Easily recognized by their yellow shirts, VMs operate in more than 200 countries, providing aid in times of crisis — from natural disasters to everyday challenges.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, Hungary’s refugee support programs, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their courses — accessible to every interested person — provides practical tools to resolve conflict, enhance understanding, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are not driven by proselytism 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 hands-on aid, Scientologists have focused significantly on education as a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and partnered on prevention workshops 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 made possible through the dedication of Scientologists but carried out jointly with non-religious organizations, demonstrating how spiritual conviction can translate into tangible civic contribution. This cooperative spirit has earned acknowledgment from local authorities, educators, and NGOs for its ongoing commitment to positive change.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, helping the community is not distinct from their spiritual journey — it is the means by which spiritual awareness expands. The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both personal study and altruistic conduct. Helping one’s community thus becomes an integral part of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”
“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that values solidarity and mutual aid,” added Arjona. “Scientologists build upon this heritage by using spiritual understanding to address real-world needs — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life