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: serving society through humanitarian actions that aim to reaffirm 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 without contributing to the betterment of fellow citizens.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their news eu gipfel partner organizations have led a wide range of community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from neighborhood clean-ups, emergency preparedness workshops, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Parallel activities unfolded in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all carried out under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
In contrast to traditions that treat charity and spirituality as distinct, Scientology places assisting those in need 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 teaching that guides the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to educational campaigns on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action embodies the idea that assisting others is an integral component toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has taken practical form through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a universal moral framework 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 understand and promote the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, showcase the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is vital to individuals to achieve spiritual well-being.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become recognized contributors in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to address social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work complements the European Union’s commitment to community engagement and human rights education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a pillar of a peaceful and inclusive society,” 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 move closer to understanding their own inner potential. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, but shared responsibility for the world around us.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most prominent 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 bright yellow uniforms, VMs serve in more than 200 countries, providing aid in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their courses — open to anyone regardless of belief — teaches practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and rebuild personal resilience.
These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the understanding that people, when given practical help and empathy, 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 hands-on aid, Scientologists have placed strong emphasis on education as a long-term strategy for change. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — led by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and organized awareness events in cooperation with educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have engaged students through school-based activities, encouraging students to recognize human dignity as a universal right.
Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but implemented in partnership with secular institutions, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This spirit of partnership has earned acknowledgment from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its consistent long-term engagement.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not separate from their religious practice — it is the means by which spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both personal study and altruistic conduct. Helping one’s community thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “complete spiritual liberation.”
“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists build upon this heritage 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