PRESS RELEASES
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.
TSHWANE, SOUTH AFRICA •
Truth About Drugs educational materials provided to community and civic leaders
The Church of Scientology of Pretoria was invited to attend the Twshane City Hall Substance Abuse Summit November 14, which drew together civic and community leaders concerned with this important issue.
SARDINIA, ITALY •
Cycling for the rights of all, members of the Church of Scientology of Cagliari kick off a month of activities that will culminate on UN Human Rights Day December 10th, the 65th anniversary of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN •
On Saturday, December 7, amidst a burst of confetti and beneath a cloud of balloons, a ribbon was cut on the new Church of Scientology Ideal Organization of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. More than 4,000 Scientologists and guests from across Asia and Oceania were joined by national and city dignitaries for the dedication ceremony.
TOKYO, JAPAN •
Tokyo Scientologists helped runners at the finish line of the Ichikawa Marathon
Runners who competed in the October 2013 Ichikawa Marathon benefited from a simple technique that eased the physical stress of the 26-mile race. Scientology Volunteer Ministers from the Church of Scientology of Tokyo set up “recovery stations” at the finish line and helped runners with a special Scientology technique that speeds healing and recovery.
HUIXQUILUCAN, MEXICO •
Volunteers from the National Scientology Organization of Mexico distributed drug education materials in Huixquilucan October 28 as part of an ongoing project to bring the truth about drugs to youth in the area.
Volunteers from the National Scientology Organization of Mexico bring the truth about drugs to Huixquilucan, a town of extremes, where lavish, high-end shops cater to clientele just blocks from one of the most impoverished barrios of Mexico City.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA •
The Church of Scientology of Melbourne hosted a human rights award event to mark United Nations International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
CARMIEL, ISRAEL •
Hundreds of guests and dignitaries convened in the city of Carmiel to celebrate the opening of the new Scientology Center for the North of Israel. The Center will provide Scientology Life Improvement courses and spiritual counseling and will serve as a hub for the many social betterment and humanitarian programs Scientology supports.
Leaders of the Druze and Scientology religions joined in the dedication November 9 of the Scientology Center for the north of Israel in the city of Carmiel.
PLETTENBERG BAY, SOUTH AFRICA •
Members of the Church of Scientology of Port Elizabeth, South Africa, help bring police and local residents together through a unique booklet.
PALAU, SOUTH PACIFIC •
Bringing tools for life to the South Pacific.
The Scientology Volunteer Minister South Pacific Goodwill Tour launched a series of workshops October 11 at the Palau Community College assembly hall in the city of Koror with a grand opening ceremony dedicated by the dean of continuing education of the college.
LOS ANGELES, CA •
Celebrating three years of free online training in 17 languages through the Scientology website and the Volunteer Ministers website: since launch of the program in October 2010, thousands have improved their lives through these courses.
An engineer from the Philippines, Jay had reached a dead end in his career. He had worked hard to earn a degree, but soon found his skills obsolete, outstripped by the speed of technological change. Searching online for a new direction, he found the Volunteer Ministers website.
GUERRERO, MEXICO •
Hurricane Raymond swept through areas already flooded by last month’s storms. Volunteer Ministers in Guerrero since tropical storms Manuel now providing relief in wake of latest downpour.
The third major storm to hit Mexico this hurricane season has left an already weakened infrastructure reeling.
Hurricane Raymond careened toward Mexico’s Pacific coast threatening new flooding in Acapulco, which is still recovering from September’s heavy rains.
PRETORIA, AFRICA •
Summit urges action to empower the African people.
Public officials and NGOs joined African Youth Union (AYU) delegates at the Church of Scientology Pretoria October 17-18 for the 3rd annual African Youth Union Summit. The theme of this year’s program was “On the Road to Action: Moving Beyond Pan-Africanism Rhetoric.”
CLEARWATER, FLORIDA •
The brand new Fort Harrison Walking Park provides an oasis in downtown Clearwater, Florida.
The Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization dedicated a new walking park this weekend. Located directly to the south of the Fort Harrison, on the site of a former county service station, the 38,000 square foot urban park connects the Church’s Oak Cove property on Osceola Avenue with the Flag Building, now in the final preparation stages for its grand opening.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA •
Church of Scientology adds synthetic drugs component to the drug education initiative it supports.
The Church of Scientology International has just completed its annual review of the Truth About Drugs, the drug education and prevention initiative it supports. This review is carried out each October to assess results and pinpoint new issues.
WASHINGTON, D.C. •
Human rights advocates from the Church of Scientology join in a concerted effort to counter human trafficking.
PORDENONE, ITALY •
Church of Scientology of Pordenone reaching out to youth to proof them up against the flood of new psychoactive substances flooding Italy.
RANDSBURG, KERN COUNTY, CALIFORNIA •
In October 2013, Kern County volunteers from the Church of Scientology helped youngsters decide to live drug-free lives. Randsburg is a quiet little town in Kern County, at the southern end of California’s Central Valley. The town sprang up and thrived for a few years after gold was discovered nearby in 1895. Tourists seeking a glimpse of the “Old West” visit the Randsburg general store, ice cream parlor and the old jail and browse through the mining museum, local antique shops and art galleries.
WASHINGTON, D.C. •
Human Rights Summit planned to counter human trafficking at the Super Bowl, which has been described as “the single largest human trafficking incident in the United States”
As today’s summit against human trafficking convenes at the War Memorial in Trenton, the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C., pledges support for New Jersey’s strategy to prevent human trafficking at the 2014 Super Bowl.
MEXICO •
National Scientology Organization of Mexico joins with other members of Churches for Peace for a 10-day celebration of peace
International Peace Day 2013 saw the culmination of “10 Days of Peace and Human Rights”—a series of events organized by Churches for Peace, an association of religions working together for justice and dignity in Mexico.
The 10 Days of Peace was launched September 12 with a press conference and followed with daily activities to promote religions working together.