Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Local Community Focus

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Brussels, 29 January 2026 — Human-rights education efforts supported by the Church of Scientology through United for Human Rights (UHR) and Youth for Human Rights International continue to highlight the UDHR as a practical civic reference for day-to-day civic life, particularly for youth, teachers and community leaders across Europe.

The premise is simple: rights are more likely to be respected when they are widely understood. Adopted on 10 December 1948 by the UN General Assembly, the UDHR defines 30 articles describing fundamental rights and freedoms.

Those involved note a persistent “knowledge gap”: many people endorse human rights as a principle but are not familiar with the UDHR’s text and the 30 rights it contains, including topics such as non-discrimination, education and freedom of conscience.

United for Human Rights says it was launched around the 60th anniversary of the UDHR to provide educational tools that broaden awareness and encourage implementation of the Declaration. YHRI, established in 2001 by educator Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, focuses on youth education about the UDHR and a culture of tolerance and peace.

Both initiatives emphasise education, aligning training and media resources with each of the UDHR’s 30 articles. With backing from the Church of Scientology, the nonreligious initiatives report their resources being used by educators and civic groups, with delivery shaped by local partnerships.

A consistent feature is a “toolkit” model: short films, public service announcements and structured learning materials designed for schools and community presentations. The package includes “The Story of Human Rights” documentary and a series of PSAs mapping each right through “30 Rights, 30 Ads”. Materials are hosted online across 17 languages, supporting adaptation to local needs and age groups.

Scientology’s support for the programmes is presented within a broader set of social initiatives emphasising prevention and education. Official materials also cite L. Ron Hubbard and the Code of a Scientologist in relation to supporting humanitarian endeavours in the field of human rights.

Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Scientology’s representative to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, said:

“Human rights are not strengthened only by legal texts; they are strengthened when people can recognise them, explain them, and apply them in daily interactions—especially in schools and neighbourhoods where diversity is a lived reality. Europe’s civic culture is reinforced when young people learn the UDHR’s principles early and view respect, equality and non-discrimination as practical responsibilities.”

For 2026, the focus is on making materials easy to use in real settings—clear language, modular tools and training that supports educators and community discussions without specialist legal expertise. Typical delivery includes educator briefings, youth workshops, community sessions and partnerships with civil-society groups working on inclusion, anti-bullying, equal treatment and intercultural dialogue.

The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, news eu settlement scheme Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.

Full text of the press release: Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community Focus.

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