Scientologists Across Europe Continue Their Commitment to Helping Society and Championing Spiritual Freedom.

Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From Prague’s neighborhoods to Madrid’s civic centers, members of the Church of Scientology are carrying forward a long-standing tradition: contributing to the public good through practical outreach that aim to reinforce a sense of dignity, compassion, and ethical principles. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved except through meaningful contributions to the betterment of fellow citizens.

In the last few months, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have organized numerous public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers hosted more than forty community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from street and park clean-ups, disaster-response training, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Parallel activities unfolded in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all carried out 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 puts helping others at the core 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 social programs. From the worldwide Volunteer Ministers program to public education efforts on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action reflects the idea that helping people is an integral component toward one’s own personal liberation.

Across Europe, this philosophy has manifested in real-world programs through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a secular moral code 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 empowers students to recognize and copyright the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, illustrate the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is essential 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 active participants in civic life, often collaborating with local associations to respond to social challenges such as social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work supports 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 begin to grasp 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 prominent 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 distinctive yellow T-shirts, VMs serve in more than 200 countries, providing aid in times of crisis — from natural disasters to everyday challenges.

In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to flood response in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their training — open to anyone regardless of belief — provides practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and rebuild personal resilience.

These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the belief that people, when given practical help volunteer ministers and empathy, can rise above hardship and rebuild their futures. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has resonated across languages and cultures.

Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.

In addition to immediate support, Scientologists have placed strong emphasis 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 hosted community forums in cooperation with schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, teaching that human worth is inherent and universal.

Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but implemented in partnership with public and civic groups, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This spirit of partnership has received recognition from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its ongoing commitment to positive change.

The Path to Spiritual Freedom.

For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not distinct from their religious practice — it is the very way that spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both self-directed learning and compassionate action. Contributing to society thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”

“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists participate in this legacy 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