Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are upholding a time-honored tradition: supporting their communities through humanitarian actions that aim to restore dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved except through meaningful contributions to the welfare of others in the community.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their affiliated groups have carried out hundreds of public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted over 40 community initiatives in October 2025, including local clean-up drives, crisis response drills, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Similar efforts were mirrored in human rights 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 positions helping others at the center of personal progress. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a teaching that underpins the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the worldwide Volunteer Ministers program to educational campaigns on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action embodies the idea that assisting others is an essential part 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 non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has been distributed to 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 open to all regardless of belief, illustrate the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is a prerequisite for individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Brussels, Rome, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become trusted partners in civic life, often collaborating with local associations to respond to social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. 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 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 spiritual nature. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only individual freedom, 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 are active in nearly every region of the world, offering support in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to everyday challenges.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, Hungary’s refugee support programs, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their courses — available to all, no matter their background or faith — focuses on practical tools to resolve conflict, improve communication, and rebuild personal resilience.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the belief that people, when given practical help and empathy, can rise above hardship 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 direct assistance, Scientologists have placed strong emphasis on education as a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — led by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and partnered on prevention workshops in partnership alongside educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. 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 supported by Scientologists but delivered alongside public and civic groups, demonstrating how spiritual conviction can translate into tangible civic contribution. This spirit of partnership has received recognition 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 spiritual journey — it is the very way that spiritual awareness expands. The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both personal study and compassionate action. Supporting those around you thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“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