Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, dedicated individuals of the Church of Scientology are upholding a long-standing tradition: serving society through practical outreach that aim to reaffirm dignity, compassion, and moral values. Behind these efforts lies a belief central to Scientology itself — that real spiritual advancement cannot be achieved except through meaningful contributions to the betterment of fellow citizens.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have led a wide range of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers hosted nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, ranging from neighborhood clean-ups, crisis response drills, and programs helping teens understand ethics and collaboration. Similar efforts were mirrored in Italy, Hungary, Spain, and France, all carried out under the Church’s wide-reaching social mission.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Whereas some groups distinguish between belief and action, Scientology puts helping others at the core of spiritual development. Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote that “a being is only as valuable as he can serve others,” a insight that shapes the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the worldwide Volunteer Ministers program to educational campaigns on drug prevention, literacy, and human rights, each action embodies the idea that helping people is an integral component toward one’s own enlightenment.
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 over 100 languages worldwide — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to recognize and copyright the UDHR. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, exemplify the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is vital to individuals to flourish spiritually.
A European Culture of Civic Responsibility.
In cities like Vienna, Rome, and Brussels, Scientology Missions and Churches have become trusted partners in civic life, often partnering alongside local associations to address social challenges such as social exclusion, substance dependency, and prejudice. Their work supports the European Union’s focus on community engagement and human rights education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a pillar of a peaceful and inclusive 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 choose to care for 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 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, 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 serve in nearly every region of the world, providing aid in times of crisis — from emergencies like wildfires or hurricanes to daily personal struggles.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been provided support during flood response in Slovenia, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and continuous local outreach across the continent. Their training — open to anyone regardless of belief — focuses on practical tools to address disagreements, improve communication, and help people regain their sense of self-worth.
These actions are not driven by proselytism but by the belief that people, when supported with care and insight, 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 hands-on aid, Scientologists have focused significantly on education as a long-term strategy for change. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — led by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and partnered on prevention workshops in cooperation with schools, local authorities, and student associations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have engaged students through school-based activities, helping young people see dignity as a right for everyone.
Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but carried out jointly with non-religious organizations, showing that faith can inspire real-world service. This spirit of partnership has received recognition from education local authorities, educators, and NGOs for its sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, service to others is not distinct from their religious practice — it is the path through which spiritual awareness expands. The religion teaches that individuals are spiritual entities without end, capable of achieving higher states of consciousness through both self-directed learning and compassionate action. Helping one’s community thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“Europe has a longstanding commitment to human dignity that values solidarity and mutual aid,” added Arjona. “Scientologists build upon this heritage 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