Brussels, Belgium — November 2025 — From the streets of Prague to community halls in Madrid, volunteers of the Church of Scientology are carrying forward a time-honored tradition: contributing to the public good through humanitarian actions that aim to reaffirm moral clarity, human dignity, and empathy. Behind these efforts lies a core principle central to Scientology itself — that genuine spiritual liberty cannot be achieved without contributing to the betterment of others in the community.
Over the past several weeks, Scientologists and their associated initiatives have organized hundreds of public service and awareness efforts throughout Europe. In the Czech Republic alone, Volunteer Ministers organized over 40 community initiatives in October 2025, including neighborhood clean-ups, volunteer ministers 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 comprehensive humanitarian framework.
Humanitarian Work as a Spiritual Practice.
Unlike many religious or social movements that separate faith from service, Scientology puts helping others 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 principle that shapes the Church’s humanitarian efforts. From the international Volunteer Ministers movement to educational campaigns on human rights, anti-drug education, and literacy, each action embodies the idea that assisting others is an integral component toward one’s own personal liberation.
Across Europe, this philosophy has been put into action through initiatives such as “The Way to Happiness” — a secular moral code written by Hubbard in 1981 that has been distributed to millions in dozens of countries and more than 100 languages — and “Youth for Human Rights”, which enables students to understand and promote the internationally recognized human rights standards. These programs, while entirely secular in participation, showcase the Scientology view that improving society’s moral and ethical condition is a prerequisite for individuals to flourish spiritually.
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 tackle social challenges such as drug abuse, community disrepair, and discrimination. Their work aligns with the European Union’s focus on community engagement and human rights education.
“Helping others is not merely a charitable act — it is a cornerstone 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 European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and the United Nations. “When individuals step up to support their communities, they also deepen their awareness of their own inner potential. This is the essence of what Scientologists mean by freedom — not only individual freedom, but a collective duty to uplift society.”
Volunteer Ministers: A Movement of Practical Help.
One of the most prominent 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 operate in more than 200 countries, providing aid in times of crisis — from natural disasters to individual hardships.
In Europe, Volunteer Ministers have been active in Slovenia’s flood recovery efforts, refugee-aid coordination in Hungary, rebuilding efforts after seismic events in Southern Europe, and ongoing neighborhood initiatives across the continent. Their training — available to all, no matter their background or faith — provides practical tools to resolve conflict, improve communication, 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 rebuild their futures. 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 immediate support, Scientologists have prioritized education as prevention. The “Truth About Drugs” campaign — conducted through the Foundation for a Drug-Free World — has shared educational materials with countless individuals and hosted community forums in cooperation with teachers, police departments, and youth organizations. Similarly, Youth for Human Rights chapters throughout Europe have run workshops in schools, helping young people see dignity as a right for everyone.
Each of these programs is made possible through the dedication of Scientologists but delivered alongside non-religious organizations, proving that spiritual values can drive meaningful social action. This commitment to collaboration has earned acknowledgment from community leaders, school officials, and nonprofit organizations for its sustained dedication.
The Path to Spiritual Freedom.
For Scientologists, service to others is not distinct from their spiritual journey — it is the path through which spiritual awareness deepens. The religion teaches that individuals are eternal spirits, capable of achieving elevated spiritual conditions through both individual spiritual work and altruistic conduct. Supporting those around you thus becomes an essential element of advancing toward what Scientology calls “total freedom.”
“Europe has a deep humanist tradition that cherishes cooperation and shared responsibility,” 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