PRESS RELEASES
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA •
The Scientology Volunteer Ministers—one of the world’s most effective independent relief organizations
PHILIPPINES •
Bringing help to survivors of super typhoon Haiyan (known as Typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines)
Since Typhoon Yolanda struck on November 8, 2013, a corps of 70 Scientology Volunteer Ministers from the Church of Scientology Mission of Manila and veteran disaster response specialists from the United States, Australia, Thailand and Japan have provided help to the people of the Philippines.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM •
Brussels-based Churches of Scientology for Europe, dedicated to human rights and tolerance
Human Rights was the keynote of many of the activities organized by the Brussels-based Churches of Scientology for Europe in 2013.
The Church cosponsored the 10th annual Human Rights Summit, held this year at International Auditorium in Brussels and attended by youth delegates representing 30 nations. The Church also hosted the interreligious conference held on the final day of the Summit.
KAOHSIUNG,TAIWAN •
New Scientology Church raises awareness of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The crash of cymbals, the thundering roll of drums…
So began the procession began at the Church of Scientology of Kaohsiung in December in honor of the 65th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The Church organized this human rights walk and open house to raise awareness of the basic rights every individual has.
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK •
Walk, co-sponsored by Scientology-supported human rights initiative, mobilizes youth to defend the rights of others
Copenhagen youth joined in the city’s fifth annual Walk for Human Rights in December to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Beginning in the center of Copenhagen at Vesterbro Torv, youth marched to the Street Mekka indoor sports complex where they gathered for a human rights rally and musical festival.
COSTA RICA •
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology Mission of Costa Rica promote human rights awareness
It was an all-day affair with volunteers from the Church of Scientology Mission of Costa Rica celebrating Human Rights Day 2013 with a human rights petition drive.
To help raise awareness of human rights, the volunteers use educational booklets and posters created by Youth for Human Rights, a human rights education initiative supported by the Church of Scientology.
BRESCIA, ITALY •
Church of Scientology Brescia and representatives from diverse religions and creeds spoke on the importance of the freedom of religion at a human rights conference in honor of Human Rights Day 2013
Religious leaders joined in an ecumenical tribute to human rights December 18 in a conference hosted by the Association for Human Rights and Tolerance. Panelists represented of many of Italy’s religious communities.
MILAN, ITALY •
Organized by the Association for Human Rights and Tolerance, the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology of Milan and Youth for Human Rights, the annual United for Africa concert forwards the right to education in Africa
TORONTO, CANADA •
The annual Drug-Free Marshals Christmas Festival, organized by the Church of Scientology of Toronto
The theme of the Drug-Free Marshals Christmas Festival at Yonge-Dundas Square in Toronto in December 2013 was: “Ask children if they want a drug-free community and they will tell you yes and why!”
A grassroots initiative established in 1993, the Drug-Free Marshals has grown to a global movement of kids telling other kids about the harmful effects of drugs.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA •
New Scientology brochure tells how 600 Scientology Volunteer Ministers who responded to the 2004 tsunami changed the course of the movement.
The holiday season conjures up images of home, family and good cheer. But for more than 600 Scientology Volunteer Ministers who responded to the 2004 tsunami, it evokes a time of heartbreak, disaster and bringing hope where there once was only despair.
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA •
Human rights conference organized by Ogaden Youth and Student Union and Youth for Human Rights November 27 at the Chapel of the Church of Scientology of Pretoria to raise awareness of humanitarian issues affecting the Ogaden people of Ethiopia.
The Church of Scientology of Pretoria hosted a human rights conference November 28 to look into claims of human rights violations and their remedy. Participants included refugees who fled their homeland and have settled in South Africa.
AMSTERDAM •
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Amsterdam bring The Way to Happiness to the people of their city.
Nearly every weekend for the past 12 months, volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Amsterdam have been out in the streets, distributing copies of The Way to Happiness. Their plan: to deliver a copy of the booklet to every household in Amsterdam. As of December 2013 they have handed out 35,000 booklets—a copy to every home in two of the seven districts into which the city is divided, Amsterdam Center and Amsterdam East.
AQUILA, ITALY •
Scientology disaster response team acknowledged for their unconditional help
The city of L’Aquila in central Italy presented the Scientology Volunteer Ministers with a plaque in appreciation for their 18,000 volunteer hours spent helping the city and region recover from the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake.
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO •
Speakers share ideas/tools to counter drug abuse
The Truth About Drugs Forum at the National Scientology Organization of Mexico brought together community groups concerned with tackling drug abuse in Mexico City.
The purpose of the program was to raise awareness in the community on the problem of drugs and effective solutions any caring person or group can implement to help make a difference with this important social problem.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA •
With the motto, “Something can be done about it,” Scientology Volunteer Ministers traveling exhibits or “cavalcades” have been making effective solutions available for a decade.
2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the launch of the Volunteer Ministers Cavalcades, making the help of the Volunteer Minister available to communities the world over.
SARDINIA, ITALY •
Volunteers from Scientology Churches and Missions throughout Italy mobilize to help those left stranded by Sardinia floods
Scientology Volunteer Ministers throughout Italy are helping in the wake of Cyclone Cleopatra, which descended on the Italian island of Sardinia November 19, sweeping away cars and bridges, flooding streets and homes, killing 18 and leaving nearly 3,000 homeless.
PHILIPPINES •
Helping the Philippines recover from the typhoon Haiyan
A month since Super Typhoon Haiyan ravaged the Philippines, the country is still staggering. The Church of Scientology Mission of Manila immediately activated their Volunteer Ministers to help. They were joined by Volunteer Ministers from abroad who have continued to provide relief to help the country recover.
HOLLYWOOD, LOS ANGELES •
Scientology Celebrity Centre holds 21st annual fundraiser in support of Hollywood Police Athletic League youth development programs
GRANTORTO, ITALY •
Grantorto officials in acknowledging Youth for Human Rights, the human rights education initiative the Church of Scientology supports. Grantorto Mayor Luciano Gavin proclaimed November 10, 2013, and this date in future years, to be Youth for Human Rights Day for his city.
MERIDA, VENEZUELA •
A fun-filled day of activities organized by the Scientology-supported Truth About Drugs initiative and the Vigia Anti-drug Foundation in Merida, Venezuela
Young athletes from local schools competed in an intramural soccer match in October in the state of Merida, Venezuela. The level of excitement of the players, their friends and families was a living demonstration that life is more fun when you don’t use drugs.