PRESS RELEASES
PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA •
The link between drugs and violent crime brings the importance of drug education into focus in light of the September 19 release of South Africa national crime statistics. Church of Scientology Pretoria marches in Women’s Month parade to promote drug prevention.
PORDENONE, ITALY •
Bringing the truth about drugs to the 41st annual Pordenone Pedala bicycle tour
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND •
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology Auckland held a human rights awareness event on International Peace Day
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Auckland celebrated International Peace Day September 21 by introducing people at Mangere Town Center to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
WASHINGTON, D.C. •
Members of Congress, ambassadors and hundreds of guests mark the first anniversary of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C.
TAIWAN •
Volunteers from Scientology Missions conduct drug education throughout the year in Taiwan public schools
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology continued to bring the truth about drugs to youth throughout Taiwan this week, carrying on the community betterment activities that earned the Church its 10th annual Religious Excellence Award September 10 from the Taiwan Ministry of Interior.
NIZHNY NOVGOROD, RUSSIA •
Youth at Nizhny Novgorod festival learned the truth abut drugs
Hundreds of young men and women in the town of Semyenov in the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia learned the truth about drugs September 15, when a team of Scientologists was invited to bring their drug education and prevention initiative to a local youth festival. The festival was held to encourage youth to develop good habits that will help them in life.
HAMBURG, GERMANY •
African Summer Night—a celebration of cultural diversity at the Church of Scientology Hamburg—promotes the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
The auditorium reverberated to the beat of drums as community leaders, neighbors and friends gathered at the Church of Scientology of Hamburg September 6 for African Summer Night, a celebration of cultural diversity.
WASHINGTON, D.C. •
African-Indian fusion reaches across diverse cultures to find common values
Leading members of the diplomatic community, including South Africa Ambassador to the U.S. Ebrahim Rasool, federal officials and community leaders, shared an evening of music dedicated to human rights September 13 at the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C. The concert featured Gondwana Dawn, a group whose music reflects an abiding belief in the brotherhood of Mankind.
BUFFALO, NEW YORK •
Scientologists promoted drug-free living at Buffalo’s 11th annual Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Buffalo joined in the spirit of the city’s 11th annual Puerto Rican and Hispanic Day Parade September 7, marching for a drug-free Buffalo.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA •
Mr. Parsu Sharma-Luital is honored for his work on behalf of refugees on World Humanitarian Day
At an International World Humanitarian Day celebration August 14 at the Church of Scientology of Melbourne, parishioners and community leaders gathered to acknowledge Mr. Parsu Sharma-Luital for his work to promote the rights of refugees.
BRUSSELS, BELGIUM •
Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International and Churches of Scientology for Europe cosponsor program to bring together youth from 30 nations in the name of human rights.
Forty Youth Delegates filed into Brussels’ International Auditorium with flags held high September 6 for the opening ceremonies of the 10th annual Human Rights Summit of Youth for Human Rights International.
AZCAPOTZALCO, MEXICO •
Mexico Scientologists take every opportunity to reach youth with the truth about drugs.
In Mexico City’s northwestern borough of Azcapotzalco, volunteers from the National Scientology Organization of Mexico attended a Mexico City Ministry of Health fair in September to bring factual information about drugs and drug addiction to youth in the area. They displayed The Truth About Drugs posters and banners and distributed hundreds of copies of The Truth About Drugs booklets.
CINCINNATI, OHIO •
Reaching out to parents and students with the truth about drugs
Volunteers from the Church of Scientology of Cincinnati set up a booth in the heart of the city at Fountain Square to reach returning students and their parents with factual information about drugs and drug abuse.
PORTLAND, OREGON •
Community leaders gather at new Scientology Church in Portland
The Church of Scientology of Portland hosted an International Friendship Day forum and open house this summer to forward the purpose set forth by the United Nations in proclaiming this day: “that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.” Community and religious leaders from diverse backgrounds met and shared their vision for a better world.
KATHMANDU, NEPAL •
On September 20, 2013, a new drug rehabilitation center was dedicated in Kathmandu, Nepal. The opening of this new state-of-the-art center was made possible by generous financial contributions from the International Association of Scientologists.
KAOHSIUNG, TAIWAN •
Forbes Magazine includes Taiwan in this year’s list of the 20 happiest countries in the world, and happiness was the theme August 3 when young volunteers from the Church of Scientology Mission of Kaohsiung celebrated International Friendship Day.
TAIWAN •
Service to the community—a central element of the Scientology religion.
The Church of Scientology was among the religious groups recognized September 10 with a Religious Excellence Award from the Minister Interior of Taiwan ROC for outstanding contributions to the society.
MEXICO CITY •
The Social Reform Office of the National Scientology Organization of Mexico gives police tools to help youth.
A team of officers of the Mexico City School Safety Police decided to reach out to youth during school summer holidays. For two days in July, the team distributed 7,500 copies of The Truth About Drugs drug education booklets at a summer fair at Zócalo (Constitution Square) in the heart of the historic center of Mexico City.
SOUTH AFRICA •
More than 400 attend drug prevention specialist seminars in Scientology Churches amid news of escalating drug use in the country.
NEW YORK, NY •
In the 12 years since 9/11, the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Disaster Response has grown to one of the world’s largest and most effective independent relief organizations.