Scientology Today

Youth delegates from 30 countries came together with human rights defenders this weekend at the 7th Annual Youth for Human Rights International Summit, in support of making the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights widely known and used.

Youth delegates from 30 countries came together with human rights defenders this weekend at the 7th Annual Youth for Human Rights International Summit, in support of making the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights  widely known and used. Held in the United Nations Palais des Nations in Geneva, the event was also attended by over 60 UN diplomats.

The Summit opened with a procession of the youth delegates carrying the flag of their respective nation, and a welcoming address from Mr. Adalbert Nouga, Founder of the Village Suisse NGO. He praised the Youth Delegates for their commitment and Youth for Human Rights International for promotion of the Universal Declaration and its development of human rights youth advocacy.

Formed in 2001, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is dedicated to fostering tolerance and peace through promotion of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the first document to define the fundamental freedoms and human rights in the United Nations Charter. The Declaration, ratified by the UN General Assembly in 1948, has influenced national constitutions, treaties, laws, and human rights institutions the world over.

Growing in popularity each year, the 2010 Summit attracted nearly 1,000 applicants who submitted essays on human rights with evidence of their human rights education advocacy over the past year. The annual event provides YHRI members opportunities to learn about the UN and share their experiences in promoting the UN Declaration. This year a recent UN Resolution proclaiming August 2010-2011 the “Year of Youth” was also honored as part of the Summit’s theme.

The Summit included presentations from each Youth Delegate on their human rights activities; special addresses by human rights NGOs; a panel discussion on the human rights education draft resolution currently under discussion by the Human Rights Council of the United Nations; and presentation of Human Rights Advocate Awards for stellar contribution to human rights education.

The 2010 Summit was co-sponsored by the Uganda Permanent Mission to the UN, the Haiti Permanent Mission to the UN, Village Suisse NGO, Friends of the United Nations, Ariel Foundation International, the African Diaspora Foundation and the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International, which has also sponsored the distribution of millions of YHRI educational materials, including public service messages about the Universal Declaration and the educational film, The Story of Human Rights.

“When the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in the aftermath of World War II, it called upon member countries to cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded in schools and other educational institutions,” said Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, educator and YHRI Founder. “This remains the most vital cause and challenge of our times.”

Churches of Scientology in 14 countries joined forces with Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) last week conducting a global petition drive in support of human rights education. Based on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the petition calls on governments to make human rights education mandatory and to conduct human rights education campaigns. The Declaration was ratified by the UN General Assembly in 1948 and defines the fundamental freedoms and human rights in the United Nations Charter. Since that time it has influenced national constitutions, treaties, laws, and human rights institutions the world over.

“The Universal Declaration does more than condemn discrimination, slavery and torture,” said Rev. Bob Adams, spokesperson for the Church of Scientology International.  “Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the full scope of these rights and so have no way of knowing when these rights are violated.  It’s not something only for governments to care for—we all have an interest in these rights.”

Scientologists, their families and friends took to busy street corners, festivals and shopping centers and city squares, where they presented booklets and videos, engaged in human rights discussions and gained support for the cause on giant petition boards.   Active on many fronts of human rights initiatives and reform for five decades, the Church sponsors a worldwide human rights initiative to raise awareness and respect for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  This includes distribution of millions of booklets and the airing of 30 public service messages, both based on the Declaration’s articles.  In 2009, the Church sponsored the production of a new educational film, The Story of Human Rights, a 20-minute entertaining and historical account of the development of human rights, and a new human rights educators kit.  To date, these materials have reached over 500 million people in 180 countries.

“The Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes the inherent dignity and rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace,” said Rev. Adams.  “The world needs a lot more people knowing it and supporting it.”

 by  Chad Andro  08.18.2010

United Nations’ International Year of the Youth was kicked off by Youth for Human Rights Florida with a petition drive in the Tampa Bay area on August 12 through August 15, gathering over 500 signatures to get human rights taught in schools and reaching hundreds of kids with the human rights message.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon says, “Youth should be given a chance to take an active part in the decision-making of local, national and global levels.”

In the spirit of the International Year of Youth, Youth for Human Rights Florida is stepping up its work, and hopes to take an active part in important decision-making issues by urging leaders in Florida to recognize that children who do not know their rights are vulnerable, and to promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and cause it to be taught principally in schools and other educational institutions.

To better understand the importance of including human rights education in  schools and universities’ curriculums, a person could reflect on the pain and suffering as well as the millions of innocent lives lost in and before the World Wars. Those were the events that led to the UDHR in 1948.

Ignorance is a fertile breeding ground for abuse. Knowledge empowers.

It doesn’t take a genius to improve the conditions around one. Many people from ordinary backgrounds, ordinary homes and with ordinary means, all with a common determination, could help make this a better world in some small way.

Youth for Human Rights Florida is a secular non-profit organization with the mission to educate about Human Rights both in and out of the classroom. The uniqueness of the program lies in the educational materials created in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International. Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard stated: “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream”.  These educational materials include youth-designed videos of the 30 Human Rights according to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, along with a documentary, “The Story of Human Rights”, booklets and an educator’s guide.

Everyone can help ensure human rights are learned by signing the petition at www.youthforhumanrights.org.

August 17, 2010

NEW YORK – “Only when we all know our human rights, can we have dignity, freedom and peace,” said Michael Hall, speaking for the New York Branch of Youth for Human Rights, on the New York streets Saturday as part of a worldwide network of petitioning events.

Youth for Human Rights is a worldwide network of groups in 88 countries, and YFHR volunteers and supporters held human rights petition drives from August 12 through August 15 in honor of the UN International Day of Youth.

Hall, one of a group manning a colorful booth and gathering signatures, explained that the Youth for Human Rights Petition aims at bringing about real implementation of the Universal Declaration. The petition has been signed to date by hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

“While we think of other countries as the site of human rights violations, there are situations in this country – human trafficking, discrimination against minorities, intolerance of individual expression – that need to be dealt with. And we need to be vigilant to ensure our rights are preserved.”

“And on a more personal level,” said Hall, “a commitment to human rights allows us to treat one other with dignity and respect,” said Hall .

“Even children have human rights,” says Hall, “and as we enter the United Nations International Year of Youth, we urge leaders in countries around the world to recognize that where youth do not know their rights, they are particularly vulnerable.”

The petition urges that such leaders promote the UDHR and “cause it to be disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories,” in accordance with the General Assembly when the document was adopted and proclaimed on December 10th, 1948.

YFHR was founded by members of the Church of Scientology, but now includes people from a wide variety of creeds and ethnicities. More data, downloadable videos re human rights, and a chance to sign the petition online, are available at http://www.youthforhumanrights.org.

Reprinted from The Nexus Queens: Queens Federation of Churches

Hundreds of Scientologists in Tampa Bay have donated over 300,000 volunteer hours in one year alone

_{Clearwater Scientologists organize the Say No To Drugs Holliday Classic to promote drug-free living.}

Clearwater—A Volunteer Awards Ceremony will be held in the historic Fort Harrison to honor the over 800 Scientologists in Tampa Bay who have donated over 300,000 volunteer hours to raise funds for the needy, rehabilitate inmates in Florida’s prisons, tutor children, and to spread the message of the Universal Declaration for Human Rights and that a Drug Free Life is More Fun. Pat Harney, the Public Affairs Director for the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization will be presenting the awards. She said, “In 1961, L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology wrote: ‘…a being is only as valuable as he can serve others.’ This is an ideology that Scientologists internationally practice, including those here in the Tampa Bay area and I want them to know that they are appreciated for the tremendous work they are doing to raise the standard of living of the people of Tampa Bay and throughout Florida.”

Harney continued, “Participation in Scientology volunteer groups, however, is not just limited to Scientologists. People of all faiths are welcome to volunteer, and most of our programs count a wide range of community volunteers.”

Here is a partial list of the volunteer groups established and led by Scientologists in the Tampa Bay area:

THE COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTER (CLC): Holly and Brendan Haggerty founded the Community Learning Center to provide kids a safe place to learn and to go to after school for arts programs and sports. The proud parents of four children, they have now expanded their services to include literacy programs for adults. Though based right outside of downtown Clearwater, their after-school tutoring programs are running in Pinellas, Dade, Hillsborough, Alachua, Broward-Deerfield and Broward-Ft. Lauderdale counties. Their 89 volunteer tutors have helped some 500 students in the past year alone.

CRIMINON – FLORIDA: Founded here in Florida about 15 years ago, Criminon Florida is currently run by Clearwater resident Susan Broughton. A chapter of Criminon International, Criminon Florida offers character building criminal rehabilitation programs through correspondence courses in 85% of the 75 prisons in the state and has over 2000 inmates enrolled. This activity is 100% volunteer all the way, volunteer supervisors grade inmates lessons, while others ensure that the course is properly administered.

SAY NO TO DRUGS RACE: 20 years ago, Clearwater resident and world-class runner Sandra Johnson started the Say No to Drugs Holiday Classic to promote an anti-drug message through a road race. A team of 200 volunteers produces this race, which now brings over 1,000 runners a year. From executives to chiropractors, to Boy Scout troops to sponsors, all contribute to making this event a success. Now under the direction of Chris Alexander, the race continues to be a draw for elite athletes and weekend warriors alike.

THE WAY TO HAPPINESS: Written by Mr. Hubbard in the early 1980’s, the Way to Happiness is a non-religious moral code designed to help young and old make decisions about their lives that will enable them to flourish. Here in Tampa Bay, the Way to Happiness Club, led by Clearwater resident Betsy Cramb, distributed 125,000 free booklets and held 52 events last year to educate children in the application of this non-religious moral code to improve their survival and the survival of those around them.

THE CLEARWATER COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS (CCV): What originally started as the Women’s Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology, the Clearwater Community Volunteers holds fundraisers and events throughout the year for the benefit of local charities. These include Winter Wonderland in downtown Clearwater, the Easter Egg Hunt in Coachman Park, and Fashions-with-Flair Fashion show which just held its 8th annual event at the historic Fort Harrison. From these events, CCV is able to contribute tens of thousands of dollars each year to worthwhile local charitable organization such as the Make a Wish Foundation and the Children’s Home of Tampa. Realtor and self-proclaimed Professional Volunteer Pamela Ryan Anderson now heads up this group which utilizes the talents of over 800 volunteers.

FOUNDATION FOR A DRUG FREE WORLD, FLORIDA: Led by Julietta Gil, this group was founded to educate people about the dangers of abusing harmful drugs. This chapter of the international Foundation for a Drug Free World gave 30 drug education lectures in schools throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough County to about 3,500 people in one year. They also offer drug free educational pamphlets, and have distributed 75,000 over the last two years. Through partnerships with a multitude of groups, such as the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Clearwater Downtown Partnership and the Sunscreen Film Festival, youth are sworn in as “Drug Free Marshals” who pledge not only to lead a drug-free life, but also to educate themselves and others about the harmful effects of drugs.

HUMAN RIGHTS AWARENESS: The protection of basic human rights has been a hallmark of the Church of Scientology since its earliest days. Here in the Tampa Bay area, two groups have picked up the torch to educate people about what their rights are and how they can defend them: the Tampa Bay Chapter of Youth for Human Rights and the Human Rights Group. Members of Youth for Human Rights give presentations on the United Nation’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights in schools throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough County. They have also passed out thousands of booklets and public service announcements depicting the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Headed up by Linda Drazkowski, the Human Rights Group held its fourth annual Walk-a-Thon this March in St. Petersburg’s Straub Park. More than 1,000 people from many different faiths and backgrounds marched in support of human rights.”

To find out more about the work of Scientologists as volunteers log on to www.scientology.org.

HOLLYWOOD—More than 1,400 guests attended the 41st Anniversary Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre Gala in Hollywood on Saturday, August 7. The guest list included many of the Church’s well-known members, including John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Leah Remini, Anne Archer, Erika Christensen, Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson) and Jenna Elfman.

The annual event highlights the humanitarian programs sponsored by the Church—programs addressing drug abuse, human rights, moral values for a modern world, illiteracy and disaster relief.

The evening’s guest speakers included California Congresswoman Diane Watson; LAPD Hollywood Division Captain Beatrice Girmala; Mr. Albert DeCady, Special Advisor to Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph; and the former Liberian Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Nathaniel Barnes.

Congresswoman Watson told the audience of her history in working with the Church: “As a public servant I’ve had the privilege of a close working relationship with you for many years on many vital issues of our society, and especially since becoming the U.S. Representative for this district in 2001. The relationship has been productive because your social programs are for people no matter who they are—and it has been rewarding because they work, and the resources you so generously provide are very effective.”

Ambassador Barnes traveled to Los Angeles from Washington, DC, for the event, to thank Church staff and parishioners for their work in his previously war-torn country and neighboring West African nations, citing the Church’s human rights programs and volunteers for sparking a human rights movement in his native Liberia.

“We now have more than 9,000 youth activists—young people who are educated, who are taking a stand and actively imparting human rights principles crucial for the continued peace and stability of not only Liberia, but all of Africa,” he said. “I would like to personally express our deep gratitude to you for giving these young people a new lease on life by empowering them.”

John Travolta and Kelly Preston were publicly acknowledged by Mr. Albert DeCady, Special Advisor to Haitian Ambassador Raymond Joseph, for personally flying medical personnel and four tons of needed supplies to his native Haiti in the weeks following the January 12 quake that devastated the island nation.

Mr. Travolta described the programs he has engaged in for many years with hands-on volunteer work and support: “What we are doing around the world—the programs for drug rehabilitation, for education rehabilitation, for the Scientology Volunteer Ministers that help in all the disaster areas around the world—there are so many programs our group is involved with.”

The popularity of Scientology among artists and professionals in many fields mirrors its current growth internationally, expanding more in the last year than the last five years combined and more in the last five years than in the five previous decades. The rapid expansion is fueled by word-of-mouth based on successful application of the religion’s practical principles to improve conditions in life. Scientology Churches, Missions and affiliated groups now exceed 8,500 in 165 countries. Concurrent to the increased international interest, new Churches of Scientology are opening at an exponential rate, with three new Churches opened in the last month, seven in 2010 alone and a dozen in the last year.

Celebrity Centres are those Churches of Scientology established to provide artists, professionals and leaders in every field with a distraction-free environment to practice their religion. Whether for up-and-coming artists or established public figures, Celebrity Centres provide an atmosphere where all can discover Scientology for themselves.

L. Ron Hubbard once wrote, “A culture is only as great as its dreams, and its dreams are dreamed by artists.” As an artist himself, Mr. Hubbard understood how important those dreams are to the creative person. He recognized as well that artists supply the spark of creativity and the vision leading the society into tomorrow.

The Church of Scientology Celebrity Centre in Hollywood was founded in 1969. Celebrity Centres in other world cultural centers include New York, Paris, Nashville, Vienna, Florence and London, and in February of this year the new Church of Scientology & Celebrity Centre Las Vegas opened its doors. Celebrity Centres, like all Churches of Scientology worldwide, are open to the public.

The Scientology religion was founded by humanitarian and author L. Ron Hubbard. Worldwide there are more than 8,500 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups in 165 countries.

Since the beginning of 2010, the Church of Scientology has opened seven new Churches in Seattle, Washington; Pasadena, California; Mexico City, Mexico; Los Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Quebec City, Canada; and Brussels, Belgium. Each is configured to provide the full services of the Scientology religion to parishioners and to the community, housing extensive public information multimedia displays, and ministering religious services in efficient and aesthetic spaces, including congregational services in expansive Chapels. These new Churches have expanded their ministry of religious services many times over, giving more than a million new people the opportunity to find out about Scientology.

Each of these new Churches is active in its community while also providing a strong base for Scientology-sponsored social and humanitarian programs aimed at curbing drug abuse, illiteracy, immorality and criminality, as well as restoring human rights, assisting individuals with personal troubles, and helping in times of disaster, both natural and man-made.

Another five new Churches of Scientology are scheduled for completion before the end of 2010.

_{Reprinted courtesy of Nordic Africa News Magazine}

The Human Rights event for the African community in Sweden, held on 29 May 2010 at the Conference facilities of the Church of Scientology Malmö in Arlöv, Sweden, was a success, according to participants as well as the organizers.

“Our aim was to acquaint the audience with the target of our Human Rights Campaign, namely to make human rights a fact through education on the 30 points of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That message was brought home, witnessing the demand after the event for the educational packages which were made available free of charge to anyone who cared to start educating others on those 30 points,”says Tarja Vulto, Information Director of the Church of Scientology Malmö.

After a word of welcome by Mrs. Vulto the audience was entertained by gospel singer from Tanzania, Rachel Sharp, who, accompanied by four dancers, performed three sparkling songs of her latest album Naringa Na Yesu.

To give the audience a taste of the educational campaign the video “The Story of Human Rights” was shown, a nine minute long, easy-to-understand, audio-visual presentation of the history of the Universal Declaration. (This video is part of the educational materials)

The main speaker of the afternoon was Mr. Arthur Diakité, advisor in migration issues and former Discrimination Ombudsman of Lund, Sweden.

Mr. Diakité is a leading authority on the African Diaspora in Sweden and he shared the highlights of his know-how with a captured public, covering subjects such as the history of African slavery, human rights institutions and the rights that Africans have in the Diaspora. Mr. Diakité underlined also the importance of education on the Universal Declaration.

According to various responses after the event the speech of Mr. Diakité was very well received and appreciated.

Tarja Vulto gave a briefing on the educational materials of the Human Rights campaign of the Church of Scientology, materials which are not only made available locally in Malmö but which can also be ordered free of charge from the internet via www.humanrights.com

“We took the whole audience to the Information Center video panels in the Church and showed them all 30 points of the Universal Declaration in audiovisual form, also known as the Human Rights public service announcements. This sparked a major interest, especially because each of those points are made so clearly visible and easy to understand,” Tarja Vulto said.

The audience then returned to the Congress Hall to see a lively dance performance by Mr. J. and Allison Ahl. It was the story of a warrior who encountered barriers in his life but nevertheless did not give up on his dream of achieving freedom through friendship with others. At the end of their performance a part of the audience joined the dancers on the stage in their dance.

In concluding the program , everyone was invited to the dinner consisting of deliciously grilled chicken, tasty rice and vegetables.

“Witnessing the demand for those educational packages we consider this event a success. No less than 20 boxes with educational materials found their way in the hands of members of the audience who are now preparing to become human rights educators, taking human rights one step higher. We are going to follow this event up with a three hour seminar for those who have obtained an educational kit. During this seminar one will be guided through the materials and gotten ready to start educating”, says Tarja Vulto who further added that the fundamental reason for the campaign is to make the following words of humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard come true: “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”

The Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International runs this campaign internationally in cooperation with The Friends of the United Nations.

The doors of the Information Center of the Church of Scientology Malmö are open 7 days/week from 9:00 - 22:00.

For more information about this human right campaign, please contact

Tarja Vulto   tel. 0768 - 63 05 72

Ad Vulto      tel. 0738 - 76 86 35

Or go in to www.humanrights.com

LOS ANGELES—The Church of Scientology International Human Rights Department presented Founder and President of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI), Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, a certificate of commendation Saturday, praising her completion of a 13-country journey promoting human rights education.  Coinciding with the 13th International Day of Families, Shuttleworth was acknowledged particularly for empowering children and families through human rights education.

A veteran educator, Shuttleworth founded Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) in 2001 to activate youth in preserving human rights for others and themselves. “Children who have no concept of their rights are at far greater risk than those who are informed,” said Shuttleworth.

During the three-month trip across Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Taiwan, Japan and Hawaii, Shuttleworth lectured to thousands of students at 36 universities and schools on the articles of the United Nations Universal Decaration of Human Rights.  She also met with more than 120 educators, community leaders and national and state human rights authorities to discuss ways of increasing human rights education and awareness.

In addition to carrying out international human rights educational programs and hosting an annual Youth Summit, YHRI publishes educational booklets and DVDs based on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an international document ratified by the United Nations December 10, 1948.  YHRI also provides teachers a free Educator’s Kit which can be ordered online at www.youthforhumanrights.org

After traveling 42,000 miles in 80 days, the 7th annual Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) World Tour returned to Los Angeles this week.  Marking the United Nations International Year of Youth, the tour met with leaders in the public and private sector in 13 countries including Mexico, Guatemala, Brazil, South Africa, Portugal, Italy, Greece and Japan, to plan and implement action to eradicate human rights abuse against children and youth.

Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights includes freedom from want and prohibits child labor and slavery, an estimated million children are pressed into sexual trafficking, 300,000 are forced into armed combat and 15 million die of hunger each year.

“Our human rights education materials take the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and with simple language and videos make it possible for anyone to teach or learn the 30 basic rights enshrined in that document,” said Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, Founder and President of Youth for Human Rights International.  “These materials not only help youth and children understand and defend their own rights and those of their peers, they make human rights real to people of all ages.  Simply by watching the YHRI DVDs and reading our booklets, many have been inspired to work together to do something effective about the social ills that perpetuate human rights abuse.”

Shuttleworth and her team met and formed partnerships with representatives of national and state human rights commissions, community, business and religious leaders and educators in 13 countries this year, providing them the YHRI human rights education materials for use in their own campaigns.  They held seminars and classes in 15 universities and 21 high schools and elementary schools to reach youth directly with their message.

Shuttleworth has drawn inspiration from Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard who wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”  With the new partnerships forged on this year’s tour and youth in 329 groups in 105 nations carrying out this education initiative, YHRI is focused on empowering youth and bringing about tangible change in the human rights climate.

For more information on Youth for Human Rights, visit the website.

On United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, Scientologists call for widespread human rights education to foster inter-cultural dialogue and greater tolerance

LOS ANGELES—Volunteers from Churches of Scientology in 21 countries including the United States, Canada, France, Denmark, Russia, Australia and South Africa gathered signatures on human rights petitions on March 21, commemorating United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Discrimination.  The petition drives galvanized support for human rights education, promoting the values embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which emphasizes “recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

The Declaration was ratified by the UN General Assembly more than 60 years ago, yet racial and ethnic conflicts fuel wars throughout the world.  Scientologists say the answer is in human rights education.

The United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed each year on the anniversary of the day in 1960 when police opened fire in Sharpeville, South Africa, on a crowd of unarmed Black South Africans, killing 69 civilians who were protesting the repressive apartheid regime.

In a speech  50 years after the Sharpeville tragedy, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, “The United Nations marks the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on this solemn anniversary to reaffirm our commitment to guard against a repeat of the horrors rooted in racism—from slavery to the Holocaust, from apartheid to ethnic cleansing and genocide.”

In addition to grassroots activities such as petition drives, Churches of Scientology partner with Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) to carry out a human rights awareness campaign to educate people of all ages on human rights.

“Most people don’t know the rights in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” said Tracie Morrow, Youth Coordinator for the Los Angeles-based Church of Scientology International Human Rights Office. “Without an understanding of these rights,  people will not demand their own rights, let alone respect and defend the rights of others. Through human rights education we have found young people become much more tolerant and understanding, and many are inspired to become human rights advocates,” said Morrow.

The Church of Scientology has championed human rights for more than 50 years and sponsors the largest non-governmental information campaign to make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights known the world over. The Church’s human rights initiative sponsors groups and activities and has provided its materials to individuals, groups and government agencies in 185 nations.  For more information on the human rights initiative of the Church of Scientology, visit the Scientology website.

St. Petersburg, FL—More than 1,200 Tampa Bay residents of all ages walked quarter-mile laps around Straub Park in St. Petersburg Saturday, March 6, to raise human rights awareness.  Ms. Linda Drazkowski, Founder and President of the Human Rights Group Inc., Scientologist, mother of two and Clearwater resident, created the Human Rights Walkathon four years ago, and has chaired it every year since.  The fourth annual Human Rights Walkathon, produced by the Human Rights Group in partnership with Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking and the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope, featured performances by hip hop artist MC Lyte, recording artist David Pomeranz, and the Dundu Dole Urban Ballet.  Speakers included Mrs. Anna Rodriguez, founder of the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking; Mr. James Evans, founder of the Tampa Bay Academy of Hope; Rev. Alfreddie Johnson, founder of the World Literacy Crusade; and Dustin McGahee, president of Youth for Human Rights Florida.

The day before the walkathon, an article in the Fort Meyers, Florida, News-Press pointed out the vital role education plays in protecting human rights.  A 15-year-old Guatemalan girl living less than 150 miles south of St. Petersburg,  in Immokalee, might still be enslaved and forced into sex, pornography and field labor today had it not been for the alertness of a Florida woman who suspected she was the victim of human trafficking and reported it to authorities.

Some 800,000 men, women and children are trafficked across international borders each year.  “People who know and understand human rights will not only stand up for their own rights but also for the rights of others,” said Drazkowski. 

To raise awareness of this and other crucial human rights issues, the Human Rights Group uses educational booklets, DVDs and an educators’ guide created by Youth For Human Rights International in collaboration with the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International.

For more information on these programs and materials, visit United for Human Rights at www.humanrights.com.

In 1961, Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard wrote, “…a being is only as valuable as he can serve others.” This is a precept that inspires the work of Scientologists around the world including those in the Tampa Bay area. The following is a brief description of some of the community outreach groups and organizations local Scientologists have founded and participate in. Membership is not limited to Scientologists and people of all faiths are welcome to volunteer to provide needed services to the people of the community.

Say No to Drugs Race

Twenty years ago, Clearwater resident and world-class runner Sandra Johnson started the Say No to Drugs Holiday Classic to promote an anti-drug message.  Now under the direction of local resident, Chris Alexander, a team of 200 volunteers ensure the race comes off each year without a hitch.  It has become one of the premier races in the Tampa Bay area, drawing up to 1,000 runners with athletes competing from all over the world.

The Community Learning Center (CLC)

Holly and Brendan Haggerty, parents of four, founded the Community Learning Center in 1998 to provide a safe place for kids for afterschool arts and sports programs. The Haggertys have now expanded their program to include literacy tutoring for adults.  Based near downtown Clearwater, their afterschool tutoring programs also run in Pinellas, Dade, Hillsborough, Alachua, Broward-Deerfield and Broward-Ft. Lauderdale counties.  Their 89 volunteers have tutored some 500 students in the past year alone.

Criminon—Florida

Clearwater resident Susan Broughton runs Criminon Florida, a chapter of Criminon International that offers character-building criminal-rehabilitation programs through correspondence courses to more than 2000 inmates in 85 percent of the 75 Florida state prisons. Courses address a wide range of subjects from character building and drug education to study and communication skills.  This activity is 100 percent volunteer-based.

Narconon—Florida

Narconon provides substance abuse education and rehabilitation in three Florida locations: Clearwater-based Narconon Florida, Narconon Destin and Narconon Spring Hill on the Florida Panhandle. Spring Hill and Destin are residential facilities, and the Clearwater operation offers help to addicts who can carry on with their work and their day-to-day lives while participating in the program.   At each of these centers the addicts not only withdraw from drugs, they also address the underlying cause of their addiction by working out and resolving the problems they were trying to “solve” with drugs.  Life skills courses are key to the success of the program. Narconon Florida is a part of Narconon International, a world-wide network of 188 drug education and rehabilitation facilities in 46 countries.

The Way to Happiness

Written by L. Ron Hubbard in the early 1980s, The Way to Happiness is a non-religious, common-sense moral code designed to help young and old alike make decisions that enable them to live happier and more productive lives. In Tampa Bay, the Way to Happiness Club, led by Clearwater resident Betsy Cramb, distributed 62,800 free booklets and held 52 events last year to educate children in the application of this non-religious moral code to improve their survival and the survival of those around them.

The Clearwater Community Volunteers (CCV)

What originally started as the Women’s Auxiliary of the Church of Scientology, the Clearwater Community Volunteers holds fundraisers and events throughout the year to benefit local charities. These include Winter Wonderland in downtown Clearwater, the Easter Egg Hunt in Coachman Park, and Fashions-with-Flair fashion show at the Belleair Country Club. With the funds raised from these events, CCV contributes tens of thousands of dollars each year to worthwhile local charitable organizations. Pamela Ryan Anderson now heads a team of more than 800 CCV volunteers.

Foundation for a Drug-Free World, Florida

Led by Julietta Gil, this group was founded to educate people about the dangers of abusing harmful drugs. A chapter of the international Foundation for a Drug-Free World, members of the local group gave 30 drug education lectures in schools throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough County to about 3,500 people last year. They also distributed 75,000 drug education booklets over the last two years. They partner with many local  groups including the Dunedin Blue Jays, the Clearwater Downtown Partnership and the Sunscreen Film Festival.  The program includes a local chapter of the “Drug Free Marshals,” youth who pledge to be drug-free and encourage others to do the same.

Human Rights Awareness

The protection of basic human rights has been a hallmark of the Church of Scientology since its earliest days. In Tampa Bay, Scientologists participate in two groups that educate people about their rights—the Tampa Bay Chapter of Youth for Human Rights and the Human Rights Group.   Members of Youth for Human Rights give presentations on the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights in schools throughout Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. They pass out thousands of booklets and arrange the airing of public service announcements depicting the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Headed by Linda Drazkowski, the Human Rights Group held its third annual Human Rights Walk-a-Thon in March at St. Petersburg’s Straub Park. More than 1,000 local residents from many different faiths and backgrounds marched in support of human rights.

Led by Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and the ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, Scientologists are celebrating a renaissance of their faith.

Today, the Church of Scientology has expanded to more than 8,000 churches, missions and affiliated groups in 165 nations—doubling the number in the last five years.  This year alone, the Church completed a $40 million restoration of one of its oldest landmark buildings and inaugurated five major new Church buildings in Malmo, Dallas, Nashville, Rome and Washington, DC. Current demand for L. Ron Hubbard’s books and lectures on Dianetics and Scientology has outstripped the last five decades combined, approaching 70 million distributed in the last two years.  All the while the Church’s ever growing humanitarian programs in the fields of anti-drug, human rights, morals education and disaster relief have positively impacted hundreds of millions of lives.

As the decade comes to a close, Scientologists world over are celebrating their religion’s most expansive year to date.  2009 marked the 25th Anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists, the official membership organization of Scientology. In addressing the more than 7,000 Scientologists and guests in attendance at the anniversary event on October 16th in England, Mr. David Miscavige praised members for their dedication and contribution to the tremendous accomplishments of the Church to date and expressed his optimism for the future of Scientology:

“Our battles of yesterday were to stay alive. Our battles of tomorrow are to overcome the obstacles to eternity itself. Because we have never taken our eye off the ultimate prize, we stand where we are today. Twenty-five years of magnificent accomplishment and a future more glorious than we could have ever imagined.”

The scriptures of Dianetics and Scientology are comprised of over 500,000 pages and over 3,000 recorded lectures by Founder, L. Ron Hubbard. Since July 2007, over 67 million copies of L. Ron Hubbard’s basic books and lectures on Dianetics and Scientology have been distributed.  (During the Church’s first 50 years a total of 39 million copies of L. Ron Hubbard’s works on Dianetics and Scientology were in circulation.) With all of these materials available in 15 languages, and the nine basic books now available in 50 languages, the total number of Dianetics and Scientology translations over the last decade is 10 times the previous five decades combined. In recognition of this fact, the Guinness World Records acknowledged L. Ron Hubbard as the world’s most translated author.

In-house digital publishing facilities can print over 500,000 books and 925,000 recorded lectures on CD per week

The demand for L. Ron Hubbard’s materials has grown exponentially in the last year with the numbers of new people coming into Churches and Missions to find out about Scientology growing in the same fashion. Indeed, the Scientology religion is now enjoying its greatest era of expansion in history, with public demand for L. Ron Hubbard books and lectures escalating across more than 165 countries.

To keep pace with the demand, the Church operates two state-of-the-art digital printing and CD manufacturing facilities in Los Angeles and Copenhagen.

In 2009, the Church’s publication arm, Bridge Publications, Inc. in Los Angeles, opened a 274,000-square-foot digital in-house printing and manufacturing facility, thereby increasing its publishing capacity to 500,000 books and 925,000 CDs per week, an increase of 660% over 2007.

State-of-the-art film and audio studios with the most advanced digital recording and editing equipment in the world

In June 2009 the Church celebrated the 21st Anniversary of the Maiden Voyage of the Freewinds religious retreat and annual religious convocation for advanced Scientologists. During this week-long series of events and seminars, Mr. Miscavige announced “the single most momentous advance in Dianetics technology” since the original publication of Dianetics on May 9, 1950.  The project, four years in the making and personally directed by Mr. Miscavige, resulted in 32 films totaling 4 ½ hours.  The films have been translated into 15 languages.  They put Dianetics fully into visual form, making the subject universally accessible to everyone.

June also saw the release of educational films to support Church-sponsored social betterment and humanitarian programs. The first of these was the new, full-length Truth About Drugs documentary giving addicts and at-risk youth the chance to find out from those who have lived it, exactly how addiction shatters lives. The second was The Story of Human Rights, an educational film which provides a short, concise and powerful lesson in the history and necessity of human rights and the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

October marked the completion and release of the feature-length film, The Way to Happiness. This 2-hour film presents this nonreligious common sense guide to moral living by L. Ron Hubbard.

Church-sponsored humanitarian programs touch the lives of hundreds of millions in 2009.

The Church-sponsored humanitarian programs using the latter three films reached hundreds of millions of people in 2009 and billions since their inception.

The Church-sponsored anti-drug education initiative (“Say No to Drugs, Say Yes to Life”) is the largest nongovernmental anti-drug campaign in the world and, through the airing of public service announcements, distribution of free drug education booklets and events promoting a drug-free life, it has reached over 853 million people since its inception.

The Church-sponsored human rights education program (“United for Human Rights”) is the largest in the world and based entirely on raising awareness of the 30 articles of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Through the airing of public service announcements, human rights symposiums and events and distribution of human rights educational materials, the campaign has reached over 943 million people since it commenced.

The Church-sponsored morals program based on the common-sense guide to living, The Way to Happiness, has now reached nearly 800 million people through its public service announcements, educational materials and Set a Good Example contests.

The Church of Scientology’s Volunteer Ministers, over 200,000 strong, have helped over 1.4 million people in times of disaster in 2009 alone.  The motto of Scientology’s Volunteer Ministers is “Something Can Be Done About It.”

Mr. Miscavige is driving a movement now spanning the world with new Ideal Churches of Scientology.

Mr. Miscavige’s vision sets the direction for the acquisition, design and planning of new Churches-quite literally from inception to ribbon cutting.  For the past five years, the Church has dedicated itself to a program to locate, renovate and open new Scientology Churches to service its parishioners and their communities around the world. Since the launch of this program five years ago, over 70 new buildings have been acquired internationally. Real estate holdings have increased from 5.6 million square feet in 2004 to over 11 million in 2009, with over 600,000 square feet of renovations completed in just 2009.

14 March 2009: At the Church’s spiritual headquarters in Clearwater, Florida, the Fort Harrison Hotel opened in March 2009 after a $40 million renovation and restoration. The building was stripped virtually bare and rebuilt from its core, including the installation of new state-of-the-art systems. This landmark still bears its hallmark historical touches, however, including replication of the lobby’s original black wrought iron work and gold leaf moldings. The resurfacing of the entire exterior with added architectural detailing makes this religious retreat even more beautiful than at its legendary beginning in 1926, when she was known as “the Aristocrat of Southern Florida Hotels.”

4 April 2009: Three weeks after the inauguration of the new Fort Harrison, a new Church of Scientology in the Swedish seacoast city of Malmö was formally opened by Mr. Miscavige. European dignitaries and guests from 32 nations gathered to celebrate a historic day: dedication of the 72,000-square-foot landmark Church of Scientology, acquired, designed, renovated and opened in less than six months.

11 April 2009: One week later, in Dallas, Texas, a 41,000-square-foot Church opened its doors. With Mr. Miscavige officiating, the Church of Scientology Dallas was formally welcomed to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex by City of Irving Mayor Herbert Gears.

25 April 2009: The month of April ended with the grand opening of the new 36,000 square-foot Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville.  The opening of the new Church building in Music City USA, an historical landmark, was again led by Mr. Miscavige and joined by scores of local dignitaries, residents and visiting artists totaling over 3,000 guests.

24 October 2009:  In October, more than 6,000 people gathered in Rome’s Casalotti de Boccea district to celebrate the grand opening of the new Church of Scientology Rome. The 69,000-square-foot Church, situated on 28 acres of parkland, marks the largest expansion to date for Scientology in its 30-year history in Italy. Mr. David Miscavige welcomed parishioners to their new home. The new Church will serve parishioners of Central Italy and other regions of the Mediterranean.

31 October 2009:  One week later, the Founding Church of Scientology of Washington, DC, originally established in 1955 by Scientology Founder, L. Ron Hubbard, opened its new premises six blocks from the White House and minutes from the Capitol Mall.  Attended by nearly 3,000 Scientologists and guests, the celebration was presided over by Mr. David Miscavige. The newly acquired and fully restored 49,000-square-foot historical building now represents the largest Scientology presence in DC in Church history.  Its grand opening now brings the Church of Scientology’s presence in the nation’s capital to three very important properties:  The new Embassy Building providing all Church services for parishioners of Washington DC; the original Founding Church premises where L. Ron Hubbard personally worked, now fully restored and open to the public as a heritage property of the Church’s history; and the Church’s well-known Fraser Mansion at DuPont Circle which will now become the Church’s National Affairs Office.

The Church of Scientology looks to 2010 for further unprecedented growth, with greater expansion and success in ministering to its parishioners and their communities than ever in its history.

This year has marked the greatest expansion in Scientology’s history. The Church looks to 2010 for even greater success with scores of new Churches and Advanced Organizations on the horizon.  New Churches are scheduled to open in Pasadena, California; Inglewood, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Seattle, Washington; Harlem, New York; Portland, Oregon; Twin Cities, Minnesota; Boston, Massachusetts; Cincinnati, Ohio; Quebec, Canada; Mexico City, Mexico; Tel Aviv, Israel; Melbourne and Sydney, Australia and Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Additionally and most significantly, the doors will open to the newly constructed 375,000-square-foot Church serving as spiritual headquarters for the religion, located in Clearwater, Florida.

Most importantly, 2010 will bring the completion of a decades-long project to restore and make available the complete library of Mr. Hubbard’s works, including hundreds of his over 3,000 recorded lectures never heard beyond his original audience.

For more information, high-resolution still photos and video footage please contact Church of Scientology International Public Relations Department.

Slovakian youth march for human rights

Bratislava, Slovakia—The Slovakia chapter of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) celebrated the 61st Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) with the launch of a new web site and a human rights walk from Old Town in Bratislava to Grassalkovich Palace, the residence of the President of Slovakia.   This was part of the “International Walk for Human Rights,” where youth from countries around the world, including Australia, Austria, Barbados, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, Germany, Holland, India, Jordan, Kenya, Mexico, Nepal, Nigeria, Somalia, South Africa, United Kingdom the United States and Zambia, walked to raise awareness of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The new YHRI Slovakia web site at www.MladezZaLudskePrava.org features 30 public service announcements, one illustrating each of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration, available for the first time with Slovakian subtitles.  The short films were produced by Youth for Human Rights International in partnership with the Church of Scientology International.

Scientology Churches on six continents called attention to human rights issues on Human Rights Day, with dozens of events including rallies, human rights walks, round tables, concerts and petition drives.  To raise awareness of human rights and bring about much needed reforms, Scientologists are calling for human rights education in all schools as the first prerequisite to guarantee human rights internationally.

Human Rights Day is the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the UN General Assembly in 1948.  The document was drafted by a committee of scholars and humanitarians chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt to prevent a repeat of the atrocities of World War II. The Preamble to the Declaration proclaimed the UDHR “as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations,” and stated that “every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms.”

Now 61 years later, human rights education is not part of most schools’ curriculums, and human rights violations rival those of the past.  According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, there are an estimated 27 million enslaved today.  Deputy Secretary-General Asha-Rose Migiro reported that an estimated 2 million or more women are trafficked across borders every year.

“Education is vital to guarantee human rights,” said Tracie Morrow, Youth Coordinator for the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International.  “L. Ron Hubbard said, ‘human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream,’ and ensuring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is broadly understood is a vital first step.”

To raise awareness of the UDHR, Scientology volunteers in Munich, Germany helped produce an event featuring educational video presentations on the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration, accompanied by musical performances, and speeches by young activists on the impact of human rights violations on their own and others’ lives.  In Sweden, Scientologists set up a booth on a walking street in the seaport city of Malmö where they collected hundreds of signatures on their petition calling for human rights education. In Florida, Scientologists participated in a walk for human rights and a human rights poetry workshop.

In Russia, the Church of Scientology in partnership with Youth for Human Rights and the Moscow chapter of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights held a Human Rights Day celebration at the Central House of Journalists in Moscow.  More than a hundred human rights advocates, including representatives of a wide variety of religious groups, the country’s Human Rights Committee, the Moscow Police Department and a former ombudsman of the Russian Federation participated and coordinated their activities for the coming year.

Dozens of other events and petition drives were held across the United States and in Canada, Europe, India, Japan, South Africa and Kenya.

For more information on the human rights initiative of the Church of Scientology, visit the Scientology site at www.scientology.org.

Scientology Youth in France in partnership with Youth for Human Rights International work to give new meaning to human rights education.

Scientology volunteers across France are promoting human rights education, in support of the United Nations International Year of Human Rights Learning that began on December 10, 2008.   The day is also marked as Human Rights Day, in honor of the United Nation’s adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948, a document drafted by a UN Committee chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt to protect human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Champions of human rights for decades, Churches of Scientology have spearheaded human rights reforms since the 1950s and in partnership with Youth for Human Rights International have distributed over 1.5 million human rights educational publications and obtained over 200,000 signatures in support of human rights education.

In France, volunteers of Scientology Churches are gearing up for Human Rights Day 2009 after a year of weekly human rights education events in Paris, Lyons, Marseilles, Vannes, Clermont-Ferrand, and Nice.   Dedicating more than 5,000 man-hours to the cause over the past year, the young activists estimate they have promoted the UDHR to more than 48,000 people in France in 2009.

In addition to gaining support from individuals for human rights education through petition drives, the youth have distributed human rights booklets at music concerts, discussed actions to counter racial discrimination on a radio program and created their own song and dance performances demonstrating the UDHR article on Freedom of Expression.   The volunteers also supported UN General-Secretary Ban Ki Moon’s call for a global ceasefire on the International Day of Peace, by distributing booklets at the Esplanade des Droits de l’Homme (Esplanade of Human Rights) where a monument commemorates the UN General Assembly’s adoption of the Universal Declaration.

“Human rights are something everyone needs to know,” said one volunteer.  “Then you make sure everybody’s human rights are respected, including your own.”

Scientology Volunteer Minister provides seminars to Kenya groups to help them cope with a changing environment.

As Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga was speaking to a regional forum on the economic and social ramifications of global warming Monday, Scientology Volunteer Minister David Dempster had just arrived back in Kenya to deliver a weeklong training session to Scout Leaders in Nairobi.

An active Volunteer Minister of the Church of Scientology of Tampa, Dempster first visited the country in September when he was asked to fly there to deliver a series of Volunteer Ministers seminars.   Based on practical technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard, these seminars help people cope with the issues of a changing society.

For ten days, together with staff of the Church of Scientology Mission of Nairobi, Dempster delivered seminars to a wide variety of groups and organizations in the city of Nairobi and neighboring towns and villages.  These seminars helped the attendees improve their communication and organizational skills as well as their ability to resolve problems.

Now back in Nairobi at the invitation of the Scouts of Kenya, Dempster is helping Scout Leaders accomplish their purpose for the entire country with courses aimed at developing good citizenship, character and self-reliance.

“It is a particular pleasure to work with this group and help them add to their scouting skills.”said Dempster.  “These dedicated leaders are working hard to help their fellow Kenyans and improve conditions in their beautiful country.”

For more information about the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, visit their web site at www.volunteerministers.org.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers India Goodwill Tour Leader, Ms. Marion Whitta, originally from Australia, is interviewed on what the Tour has accomplished over the past four years and their plans for the future.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers India Goodwill Tour Leader, Marion Whitta, a native of Australia, has become something of an institution in India.  For the past four years she has been traveling throughout the country bringing help to cities, villages and townships, and training tens of thousands in spiritual technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard.

Whitta shares her thoughts about India and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program.

Scientology Newsroom: How did you get the assignment to lead the Scientology Volunteer Ministers India Goodwill Tour?

M.W.:  I had always wanted to go to India.  I was drawn by the spiritual heritage of the country, which is the oldest religious tradition on Earth. I was also inspired by Mahatma Gandhi—the man himself, his courage and his commitment to human rights and freedom.

So in 2005 when I was given the opportunity to go to India, I was thrilled  with the opportunity to reach out to people who were already aware of their spiritual nature and bring Mr. Hubbard’s spiritual technology to more than a billion people.   And I had the perfect means to do so—the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program and its purpose to bring help everywhere and anywhere.

Scientology Newsroom: Tell us about the Goodwill Tour?

M.W.:  Since arriving in September 2005 we have visited Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Mysore, Ooty, Pondicherry and Ahmedabad.  We’ve also visited many villages and townships, and we even spent a few weeks in neighboring Nepal.

In each city we visit, we contact government, religious and community leaders and find out what they see as the most pressing needs that we can assist with. We then tailor our work to fit the needs of the people in each region.

In every area we visit, we train as many people as possible to administer Scientology Volunteer Ministers techniques.  We deliver these courses in our big yellow tent and seminars and workshops in universities, schools, government offices, police departments, military camps, even in apartment complexes—wherever people want to learn how to help, and wherever help is needed.

Once people learn this technology virtually  everyone wants to be a Scientology Volunteer and we help them set up their own groups.  These groups in turn reach out to those in need.  For example, our Kolkata group mobilized a team of volunteers last year to assist survivors of the floods in Bihar. After the Mumbai terror attacks, Scientology Volunteers from throughout India poured in to help in our disaster response activities.

Scientology Newsroom: What is the Scientology Volunteer Ministers movement?

M.W.:  I think Mr. Hubbard described it perfectly when he wrote, “…if one is going to find fault with something, it implies that he wishes to do something about it and would if he could. If one does not like the crime, cruelty, injustice and violence of this society, he can do something about it. He can become a Volunteer Minister and help civilize it, bring it conscience and kindness and love and freedom from travail by instilling into it trust, decency, honesty and tolerance.”

Scientologists work to guarantee human rights for all children

Scientology Churches and their members, from Australia to Zimbabwe and Canada to the Ukraine  celebrate the rights of children by demanding action by private citizens and governments on International Children’s Day. Twenty years ago the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, yet millions of children still die each year from preventable causes.

Scientologists ask:

·    If the Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees freedom from want, why do almost 16,000 children die of malnutrition—one child every five seconds?

·    If children have the right to life, why did nearly 10 million children die in 2006 before they reached their fifth birthday?

·    Why did an estimated 2 million children lose at least one parent to AIDS in southern Africa in 2003, a number expected to rise to 18 million in the year 2010?

·    Why have an estimated 20 million children been forced to flee their homes because of conflict and human rights violations?

·    How could 10,000 children be killed or maimed last year by landmines? Why have more than 2 million children died and 6 million been permanently disabled or seriously injured through armed conflicts?

·    How come 300,000 boys and girls under the age of 18 have been pressed into service as child soldiers?

·    And why do one million children suffer from sexual exploitation every year?

Churches of Scientology believe the answer lies with each of us, that only when people know their rights and freedoms will they insist on their enforcement, not only for themselves but for others.

That is why Scientology Churches partner with Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) and United for Human Rights (UHR) in distributing the documentary The Story of Human Rights.

Released in June 2009 The Story of Human Rights is an educational tour de force, making the subject of human rights, its history and ramifications understandable to a very broad audience, used to getting their information as entertainment in this multimedia age.  The film lays the responsibility for implementing human rights where it belongs—with each one of us, to fight for our own rights and the rights of others.

The Story of Human Rights explains that although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, “…it did not have the force of law.  It was optional. And despite many more documents, conventions, treaties and laws, it is still little more than words on a page.”

The film ends with a hard-hitting appeal to the individual:  “Those who fight today against torture, poverty and discrimination are not giants or superheroes.  They are people—kids, mothers, fathers, teachers—free-thinking individuals who refuse to be silent, who realize that human rights are not a history lesson, they’re not words on a page, they’re not speeches or commercials or PR campaigns.  They are the choices we make every day as human beings.  They are the responsibility we all share, to respect each other, to help each other and to protect those in need.”

Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard once wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”  Understanding human rights is the first step in bringing this about.

To sign a petition to mandate human rights education in schools in your country or to watch The Story of Human Rights online, visit www.humanrights.com.   To learn more about the human rights education initiative of the Church of Scientology, visit the Scientology site.

Scientology volunteers in Amsterdam demand full implementation of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  Netherlands must live up to its reputation as human rights champion.

Members of the Church of Scientology of Amsterdam participate in petition-signing events throughout the year to educate the community on the importance of full understanding and implementation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Amsterdam—Scientology volunteers, determined to end blatant disregard for human rights, circulated a petition on the International Day for Tolerance November 16 to demand education on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in all Netherlands schools.  In fact, Scientologists from Australia to Zimbabwe and Canada to Taiwan work in their communities to educate people on human rights and their responsibility for implementing them, not only for themselves, but for others as well.

“Despite The Universal Declaration of Human Rights having been adopted by the U.N. General Assembly more than 60 years ago, human rights are still infringed upon daily in nations the world over,” said Merel Remmerswaal, Public Affairs Officer for the Church of Scientology of Amsterdam, who helped organize the petition-signing event.

Last week, 20 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Nicola Duckworth, Europe and Central Asia Program Director at Amnesty International, expressed her concern that human rights are once again under attack.  “Rights fall victim to the views of states with even the most basic human rights, such as protection from torture, are sacrificed to fight terrorism.”

Ms. Remmerswall, whose Church holds educational programs and human rights petition-signing events throughout the year, deplores human rights violations extant in the world today. “Young women are trafficked from Russia for sexual exploitation, African parents look on as their children die a slow death from starvation, people are tortured for their political beliefs,” she said.  “These and so many other human rights abuses run completely counter to the values enshrined in the 30 articles of the UDHR.”

The petition, circulated by Scientology volunteers in partnership with the Amsterdam chapter of Youth for Human Rights International, calls upon the Dutch government to “make human rights education mandatory in schools and to conduct human rights education campaigns for all.”

The Church of Scientology of Amsterdam volunteers partner with a chapter of Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI), which provides booklets, audio-visual materials and other educational materials that broadly raise awareness about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.  The booklets and series of 30 short films, one for each article of the UDHR, bring this otherwise formidable document into the grasp of young people.

The preamble of the UDHR calls for “education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms.”  It also states, “…it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law.”

These values are held in common by the Church of Scientology whose founder, L. Ron Hubbard, wrote, “Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”

Scientologists from Australia to Zimbabwe and Canada to Taiwan work in their communities to educate people on human rights and their responsibility for implementing them, not only for themselves, but for others as well. For more information on the human rights education initiative of the Church of Scientology visit the Scientology web site.

Scientology volunteers demand effective action to knock out modern slave trade.  Australia is the destination country for victims trafficked from East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe, says U.S. State Department.

Scientology Volunteers in Sydney circulated a petition at Sydney Town Hall November 16, calling for mandatory human rights education in Australia to eliminate human rights abuses.  One of the worst abuses is the criminal practice of human trafficking in the country. As many as 27 million are enslaved in the world today according to the United Nations, earning perpetrators upwards of $34 billion Australian annually. Some estimate half of those trafficked come from Asia-Pacific and that at least half of all victims are children.

According to the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report for 2009, despite major strides by law enforcement, Australia is the destination country for many of the victims trafficked from East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Eastern Europe, particularly the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand.

Members of the Church of Scientology of Sydney held Monday’s petition signing because they believe Australians would never stand for human trafficking and other human rights abuses in their country if they knew of it.

Scientology Churches around the world sponsor the largest non-governmental information campaign the world over, which has made the Universal Declaration of Human Rights known to more than 900,000 people through public service announcements, booklets and petition drives.

For more information about the Church of Scientology human rights initiative visit the Scientology web site at www.scientology.org.

Scientology Churches work to make human rights a fact by pressing for human rights education.

Scientology Churches in cities around the world observe the United Nations-designated International Day for Tolerance Monday, November 16 with petition drives calling on their countries to mandate human rights education.

When 50 nations signed the United Nations Charter on June 26, 1945, “to save future generations from the scourge of war,” they expressed their belief that such a dream requires we “practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors.”

In that spirit, Churches of Scientology are marking the International Day for Tolerance by asking people in communities worldwide to sign the petition calling for human rights education.  Tracie Morrow, Human Rights Youth Coordinator for the Church of Scientology International Human Rights Department, said “Article 1 of the Universal Declaration states that we are all born free and equal.  It is tolerance of the differences in people that makes such a belief possible and brings about Article 3, freedom from discrimination, Article 11, the right to equality under the law, and so many other basic concepts expressed in this document.”

In the Creed of the Church of Scientology, L. Ron Hubbard wrote: “We of the Church believe that all men of whatever race, color, or creed were created with equal rights.” “Because the Church of Scientology was founded on a belief in human rights and tolerance,” said Ms. Morrow, “it is a natural progression to support tolerance in all forms.”

The human rights petition states that the fundamental rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) are not yet a reality, as human right abuses constitute a worldwide problem and give rise to ethnic, racial and religious conflicts.  The petition calls on the governments of the world to mandate human rights education as the first step in bringing about tolerance, which the visionaries who crafted the UDHR recognized as the crucial element in a lasting peace.

To learn more about the human rights initiative of the Church of Scientology, visit the Scientology site at www.scientology.org.  To sign the human rights petition online, visit  www.humanrights.com/#/petition.

Youth for Human Rights Tampa Bay took on a project that brought the Universal   Declaration of Human Rights home to all who participated, specifically Article 3—The Right to Life.

Tampa, Florida—Sponsored by the Church of Scientology of Tampa, Youth for Human Rights of Tampa Bay helped guarantee a vital human right to an entire camp of refugees in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo—the Right to Life.  They did this by raising enough money to provide bed nets for some 200 refugees.

Why bed nets? Every year nearly one million people die of malaria—the number one killer of African children. Malaria strikes more than 500 million people each year and kills more than a million. In fact, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, every 30 seconds someone dies of malaria somewhere in the world.

Mosquitoes are the leading cause of the spread of malaria and inadequate protection from these insects makes refugees in camps the most vulnerable to infection. Insecticide-treated bed nets provided by the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing but Nets campaign protect potential victims from mosquitoes when these insects are most likely to strike, while their victims sleep.  The Nothing But Nets campaign, created in 2006, has raised more than $27 million for bed nets to save children’s lives.

Asking their friends, “Would you save a life for $10?” the Youth for Human Rights volunteers raised enough funds to send nets to the Bukavu refugee camp that will protect more than 200 refugees from contracting this killer disease.

In 1948, the United Nations called upon member countries to cause the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to be “disseminated, displayed, read and expounded principally in schools and other educational institutions, without distinction based on the political status of countries or territories.”  Article 3 of the Universal Declaration is the Right to Life.

Programs such as this which involve young people with real-life examples of human rights are the best form of education, and they teach youth another lesson, as expressed by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard: “Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”

For more information on Youth for Human Rights, visit their web site at www.youthforhumanrights.org or the Scientology site.

Recognized at the 6th Annual Youth for Human Rights Summit in Geneva last week, race car driver Niki Lanik explains why he promotes human rights to racing enthusiasts.

Austrian-born race car driver Niki Lanik, 22, uses his sport to champion human rights.  Recognized with a Human Rights Advocate Award last week at the 6th Annual Human Rights Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, Lanik has been an advocate since December 2006. It was then he decided to use his high profile as a successful driver to raise awareness about human rights.  Says Lanik,  “Athletes have fans and followers who read about us or see us on TV.  Youngsters see us and musicians and artists as role models.  It’s important to me that I live up to that trust.”

Lanik’s dedication to promoting human rights awareness and education came after meeting Los Angeles-based film director Taron Lexton in London three years ago.  Lexton directed a series of Public Service Announcements (PSAs) which brings the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to life.  Lexton also created “United,” an award-winning music video about a young boy from the inner city who unites people from around the world to defend the rights of his friends. These films are part of the human rights awareness campaign of Youth for Human Rights International.

“I thought I knew what human rights are, but I really had no idea until I watched the PSAs and read the booklet that goes with them,” says Lanik.  “Human rights education works, and it changes countries and cultures.  I want to see every village, city and state around the world, poor or rich, black or white, with human rights education as part of their educational curriculums.”

Once he got the point he took on the issue with the same energy that made him a double UK Clio Cup Winter Champion in 2006 and 2007 and won him a place three months ago in the FIA GT3 Championship with the six-man Belgium-based Prospeed race team.

Lanik displays the Youth For Human Rights International logo on his race car, gives out booklets and DVDs to fans and sponsors and plays the PSAs at the race track.  “I promote human rights because I strongly believe every kid has the right to education; I believe that slavery should not exist and that everybody should have the same opportunities.  I insist on a fair world where people of all races can unite and work together, live together and have no quarrels and wars.”

With some 18 million people each year seeing the logo on his car when they watch races on TV, Lanik wants them to ask themselves, “What are human rights?” and go to www.youthforhumanrights.org to find out.

“By our insisting that human rights be part of the curriculum for youth in every country on Earth, we can really make a difference,” says Lanik.  He draws his inspiration from these words of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard: “Human Rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”

For more information, visit Youthfor HumanRights.org.

A spectacular flag display performed by youth delegates representing 26 countries opened the 6th Annual International Human Rights Summit in Geneva, Switzerland, home of the United Nations Office of Human Rights.

Attended by human rights advocates, officials, diplomatic corps and NGOs, the three-day Summit was opened by president and founder of Youth for Human Rights International, Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, key organizer of the three-day conference, and co-organizer Mr. Adalbert Nouga of non-governmental organization Village Suisse. Both highlighted the purpose of the Summit aimed at youth representatives: to increase awareness of human rights and the use of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the tool to resolve human rights violations.

The Summit premiered the international release of “The Story of Human Rights,” a striking new short film produced with the support of the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International. The documentary defines in simple terms the subject of human rights. Shuttleworth said the film is “a gift to the millions on all continents, out to the far corners of the world, as was the vision of Eleanor Roosevelt.”  Roosevelt was one of the authors and chief proponents of the 30-article Declaration, spearheading its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.

The roster of speakers included ambassadors, academics and religious leaders, pointing to the vital necessity of improving human rights worldwide in the face of statistics such as some 800,000 people trafficked across international borders each year with annual profits as high as $7 billion, and children as young as 13 sold into forced labor, prostitution, pornography, organ removal, or even as child soldiers.

In a moving address, Ms. Allida Black, project director and editor of the Eleanor Roosevelt Papers and Research Professor of History and International Affairs at George Washington University, said that failure to implement the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would be like “spitting on the grave of Martin Luther King, spitting on the grave of Mahatma Gandhi, or betraying Nelson Mandela.”

Ms. Anne Archer, Academy-award-nominated actress and founder of the international Artists for Human Rights, presented the Youth for Human Rights Activist Awards for 2009. Awardees include Georgi Naydenov, director of Help the Needy Foundation, Bulgaria; Petar Grigorov Gramatikov, from Dialogue Center, Bulgaria; Niki Lanik, a champion race driver from the United Kingdom;  and Tony Mathipa, a young human rights activist from South Africa.

The Summit also included a Human Rights Education interactive workshop and  an interreligious service uniting and challenging people of many faiths to pursue peace.

Rukshan Fernando, 17, delegate from Sri Lanka stated: “Youth for Human Rights International is a beacon for hope in a sea of darkness and will be the voice of the future when other voices are lost in the past.”

Ms. Ndioro Ndiaye, Deputy Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) cited Youth for Human Rights’ call for empowerment and responsibility of all people as exemplary of  “Ghandi’s maxim ‘you must be the change you want to see in the world.’ ”

The first Human Rights Summit was held in August 2004 at United Nations Headquarters and UNICEF House in New York City and has alternated with Los Angeles every year since then. In 2005 the Summit was held in Los Angeles; in 2006 in New York again, at United Nations Headquarters; in 2007 at the University of California-Los Angeles, and in 2008, at United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Youth for Human Rights International is a non-profit, secular organization founded in 2001 by educator Mary Shuttleworth to teach human rights to young people. YHRI brings awareness and knowledge of the United Nations Universal Declaration for Human Rights to youth through essay and art contests and by providing materials for students and teaching guides for schools.