Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are upholding a time-honored tradition: contributing to the public good through humanitarian actions that aim to restore a sense of dignity, compassion, and ethical principles. Behind these efforts lies a belief central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved unless one actively supports news eu elections the betterment of fellow citizens.
During recent months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have carried out numerous civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, such as street and park clean-ups, emergency preparedness workshops, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Parallel activities unfolded in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all conducted under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology places helping others at the core of spiritual development. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a principle that guides the Church’s social programs. From the global “Volunteer Ministers” network to awareness initiatives on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action demonstrates the idea that supporting one’s neighbors is an integral component toward one’s own enlightenment.
Across Europe, this philosophy has taken practical form through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a secular moral code written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to recognize and copyright the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, showcase the Scientology view that strengthening the ethical foundation of communities is a prerequisite for individuals to achieve spiritual well-being.
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 respond to 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 pillar of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, European representative of the Church of Scientology, 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 begin to grasp their own spiritual nature. 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 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 distinctive yellow T-shirts, VMs are active in nearly every region of the world, offering support in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their training — accessible to every interested person — provides practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the conviction that people, when supported with care and insight, can find their way forward and rebuild their futures. 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 placed strong emphasis on education as a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — spearheaded by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and partnered on prevention workshops in collaboration with schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have run workshops in schools, encouraging students to recognize human dignity as a universal right.
Each of these programs is made possible through the dedication of Scientologists but implemented in partnership with secular institutions, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This commitment to collaboration has earned acknowledgment from local authorities, educators, and NGOs for its ongoing commitment to positive change.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not distinct from their path to awareness — it is the very way that spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both individual spiritual work and altruistic conduct. Helping one’s community thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”
“Europe has a deep humanist tradition that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists build upon this heritage by applying spiritual principles to everyday life — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life