Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From Prague’s neighborhoods to Madrid’s civic centers, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are upholding a time-honored tradition: serving society through humanitarian actions that aim to reaffirm moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. 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.
In the last few months, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have led numerous community and educational programs throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers conducted more than forty community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from neighborhood clean-ups, emergency preparedness workshops, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Similar efforts were mirrored in Spain, Italy, Hungary, and France, all carried out under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology places serving the community at the heart of individual growth. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a insight that guides the Church’s social programs. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to educational campaigns on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action reflects the idea that helping people 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 universal moral framework 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 eu newsroom the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. These programs, while open to all regardless of belief, exemplify the Scientology view that strengthening the ethical foundation of communities is a prerequisite 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 partnering alongside local associations to address social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. Their work complements the European Union’s emphasis on civic participation and ethical education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a just and united community,” said Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Representative of the Church of Scientology to the UN, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the European Union. “When individuals step up to support their communities, they also begin to grasp their own true identity. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only personal liberation, 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, created 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 earthquakes, floods, and storms to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, post-earthquake relief in Italy and Croatia, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their courses — available to all, no matter their background or faith — teaches practical tools to resolve conflict, enhance understanding, and rebuild personal resilience.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the conviction that people, when empowered with understanding and compassion, can find their way forward and reclaim their independence. This is why the program’s motto, “Something can be done about it,” has found universal relevance.
Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.
In addition to hands-on aid, Scientologists have focused significantly on education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — led by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has reached millions through printed and digital resources and partnered on prevention workshops in collaboration with teachers, police departments, and youth organizations. 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 made possible through the dedication of Scientologists but implemented in partnership with public and civic groups, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This cooperative spirit has received recognition from local authorities, educators, and NGOs for its ongoing commitment to positive change.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, helping the community is not separate from their path to awareness — it is the very way that spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving higher states of consciousness through both self-directed learning and compassionate action. Supporting those around you thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “complete spiritual liberation.”
“Europe has a rich legacy of humanism that values solidarity and mutual aid,” added Arjona. “Scientologists participate in this legacy 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