Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, dedicated individuals 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 conviction central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved unless one actively supports the well-being of one’s fellow human beings.
During recent months, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have organized a wide range of public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from neighborhood clean-ups, emergency preparedness workshops, and educational sessions for young people focused on integrity and teamwork. Similar efforts were mirrored in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all conducted under the Church’s comprehensive humanitarian framework.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
In contrast to traditions that treat charity and spirituality as distinct, Scientology places helping others at the heart of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a principle that underpins the Church’s social programs. 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 indispensable step toward one’s own spiritual awareness.
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 more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to understand and promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while not requiring religious affiliation, exemplify the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is essential 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 active participants in civic life, often collaborating with local associations to tackle eu news china social challenges such as substance abuse, urban neglect, and intolerance. Their work complements the European Union’s focus on civic participation and ethical education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a pillar of a free and cohesive society,” 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 spiritual nature. 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, established 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 more than 200 countries, offering support in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to everyday challenges.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, Hungary’s refugee support programs, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their courses — open to anyone regardless of belief — provides practical tools to address disagreements, foster clearer dialogue, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the understanding that people, when supported with care and insight, can find their way forward and reclaim their independence. 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 hands-on aid, Scientologists have prioritized education as a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has reached millions through printed and digital resources and hosted community forums in partnership alongside educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, encouraging students to recognize human dignity as a universal right.
Each of these programs is backed by Church members but delivered alongside non-religious organizations, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This spirit of partnership has earned acknowledgment from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its ongoing commitment to positive change.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, service to others is not apart from their religious practice — it is the path through which 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 “complete spiritual liberation.”
“Europe has a deep humanist tradition that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” 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