Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community-Based Support

BRUSSELS, Belgium — 29 January 2026 — The Church of Scientology-supported human-rights education programmes through United for Human Rights (UHR) and Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) continue to highlight the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as an accessible, practical reference for everyday civic life, especially for young people and educators throughout Europe. The programmes are built on a clear premise: knowledge of rights supports respect for rights. Approved by the UN General Assembly on 10 December 1948, the UDHR sets out 30 articles describing core 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 present their work as education and public information, mapping learning modules and media resources to 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 recurring feature is a “toolkit” approach: short films, public service announcements and structured learning materials designed for educational and civic contexts. The package includes the documentary “The Story of Human Rights” and a series of PSAs aligned to each UDHR right, known as “30 Rights, 30 Ads”. Resources are available across 17 languages to support local delivery and age-appropriate use. Scientology’s support for the programmes is presented within a broader set of social initiatives emphasising prevention and education. Its published materials reference Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard on the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights and human dignity, and cite the Code of a Scientologist as encouraging humanitarian engagement 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 grow stronger when people can recognise them, explain them, and apply them in everyday interactions—particularly in schools and neighbourhoods where diversity is a daily reality. Europe’s democratic culture benefits when young people learn the UDHR’s principles early and see 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 news eua 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, 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. More details in the full article: Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community Focus.