Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, members of the Church of Scientology are upholding a time-honored tradition: contributing to the public good through compassionate initiatives that aim to restore moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. Behind these efforts lies a belief central to Scientology itself — that real spiritual advancement cannot be achieved without contributing to the betterment of others in the community.

During recent months, Scientologists and their partner organizations have organized hundreds of civic and educational activities throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized nearly 50 community initiatives in October 2025, such as local clean-up drives, crisis response drills, and youth workshops on ethics and cooperation. Comparable programs took place in France, Spain, Hungary, and Italy, all carried out under the Church’s broader humanitarian umbrella.

Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.

Whereas some groups distinguish between belief and action, Scientology places serving the community 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 guides 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 assisting others is an essential part 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 non-religious ethical guide written by Hubbard in 1981 that has touched countless lives in more than 100 languages — 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, showcase 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 Rome, Brussels, and Vienna, Scientology Missions and Churches have become trusted partners in civic life, often collaborating with local associations to address social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. Their work supports the European Union’s focus on human rights awareness and local involvement.

“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 step up to support their communities, they also move closer to understanding 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, 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 more than 200 countries, offering support in times of crisis — from natural disasters to everyday challenges.

In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been responded to flood response in Slovenia, Hungary’s refugee support programs, earthquake recovery in Croatia and Italy, and regular community service projects across the continent. Their courses — accessible to every interested person — focuses on practical tools to resolve conflict, improve communication, and restore self-confidence.

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 struck a chord worldwide.

Education and Prevention as Keys to Social Change.

In addition to direct assistance, Scientologists have placed strong emphasis on education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — spearheaded by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has reached millions through printed and digital resources and organized awareness events in collaboration with educators, law enforcement, and youth groups. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have delivered classroom programs, helping young people see dignity as a right for everyone.

Each of these programs is supported by Scientologists but implemented in partnership with secular institutions, 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 ongoing commitment to positive change.

The Path to Spiritual Freedom.

For Scientologists, service to others is not separate from their path to awareness — it is the very way that spiritual awareness expands. eu news politics The religion teaches that individuals are immortal spiritual beings, capable of achieving higher states of consciousness through both self-directed learning and compassionate action. Contributing to society thus becomes an inseparable aspect of advancing toward what Scientology calls “full spiritual independence.”

“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