Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — Across cities from Prague to Madrid, dedicated individuals of the Church of Scientology are upholding a long-standing tradition: contributing to the public good through compassionate initiatives that aim to restore dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a conviction central to Scientology itself — that true spiritual freedom cannot be achieved except through meaningful contributions to the well-being of fellow citizens.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their partner organizations have carried out numerous public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized over 40 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from local clean-up drives, disaster-response training, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Parallel activities unfolded in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all delivered 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 center of spiritual development. 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 social programs. From the worldwide Volunteer Ministers program to educational campaigns on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action reflects the idea that assisting others is an essential part toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has been put into action through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has reached millions in more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which encourages students to recognize and copyright the UDHR. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, showcase the Scientology view that strengthening the ethical foundation of communities is vital to individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Brussels, Rome, 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 focus on civic participation and ethical 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 UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the European Union. “When individuals choose to care 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 individual L Ron Hubbard freedom, but a collective duty to uplift society.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most recognizable 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 yellow shirts, VMs are active in nearly every region of the world, providing aid in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during flood response in Slovenia, Hungary’s refugee support programs, post-earthquake relief in Italy and Croatia, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their training — available to all, no matter their background or faith — teaches practical tools to reduce tension, improve communication, and restore self-confidence.
These actions are motivated not by conversion but by compassion but by the belief that people, when empowered with understanding and compassion, 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 direct assistance, Scientologists have prioritized education as a proactive solution. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has distributed millions of booklets and partnered on prevention workshops in cooperation with teachers, police departments, and youth organizations. 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 carried out jointly with secular institutions, demonstrating how spiritual conviction can translate into tangible civic contribution. This cooperative spirit has earned acknowledgment from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, acts of compassion is not distinct from their religious practice — it is the means by which spiritual awareness grows. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both personal study and altruistic conduct. Contributing to society thus becomes an integral part of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that honors compassion and community support,” added Arjona. “Scientologists build upon this heritage by using spiritual understanding to address real-world needs — {bringing help, hope, and understanding wherever they can|offering practical aid and moral clarity in their communities|sharing tools for a better life