Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, dedicated individuals of the Church of Scientology are upholding a enduring tradition: serving society through humanitarian actions that aim to restore moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. 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 one’s fellow human beings.
During recent months, Scientologists and their affiliated groups have carried out 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, such as local clean-up drives, disaster-response training, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Similar efforts were mirrored in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all carried out under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
In contrast to traditions that treat charity and spirituality as distinct, Scientology puts assisting those in need at the center of individual growth. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a teaching that shapes the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to public education efforts on literacy, drug awareness, and human rights, each action demonstrates the idea that helping people is an indispensable step toward one’s own personal liberation.
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 touched countless lives in over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which empowers 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 strengthening the ethical foundation of communities is essential for individuals to achieve spiritual well-being.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Brussels, Rome, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become active participants in civic life, often collaborating with local associations to tackle social challenges such as news eu gipfel social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work complements the European Union’s emphasis on community engagement and human rights education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a foundation of a free and cohesive society,” 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 step up to support 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 a commitment to the well-being of all.”
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 distinctive yellow T-shirts, VMs are active in nearly every region of the world, providing aid in times of crisis — from earthquakes, floods, and storms to everyday challenges.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to the aftermath of flooding in Slovenia, humanitarian aid for displaced persons in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their training — accessible to every interested person — teaches practical tools to resolve conflict, foster clearer dialogue, and rebuild personal resilience.
These actions are guided by service, not by seeking new members but by the conviction that people, when given practical help and empathy, 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 immediate support, Scientologists have focused significantly 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 schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, teaching that human worth is inherent and universal.
Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but implemented in partnership with non-religious organizations, demonstrating how spiritual conviction can translate into tangible civic contribution. This commitment to collaboration has received recognition from government bodies, teachers, and civil society groups for its consistent long-term engagement.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, helping the community is not apart from their spiritual journey — it is the path through which spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are spiritual entities without end, capable of achieving greater awareness and freedom through both self-directed learning and service to others. Helping one’s community 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 contribute to this tradition 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