BRUSSELS — 29 January 2026 — Human-rights education efforts supported by the Church of Scientology through United for Human Rights (UHR) and Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) continue to present the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as an accessible, practical reference for everyday civic life, particularly for youth, teachers and community leaders in diverse European communities.
The premise is simple: rights are more likely to be respected when they are widely understood. Adopted on 10 December 1948 by the UN General Assembly, the UDHR sets out 30 articles describing basic rights and freedoms.
Those involved note a persistent “knowledge gap”: many people support the idea of human rights but have limited familiarity with what the UDHR actually says, including topics such as equal treatment, due process and freedom of conscience.
United for Human Rights says it was launched around the 60th anniversary of the UDHR to provide educational tools that broaden awareness and encourage implementation of the Declaration. Youth for Human Rights International, founded in 2001 by Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, focuses on introducing young people to the UDHR and strengthening everyday tolerance and peace.
Both programmes focus on education and public information, using structured learning that corresponds to the UDHR’s 30 rights. The organisations are described as nonreligious, while being sponsored and supported by the Church of Scientology, and their resources are used by schools, civic groups and local partners depending on national context.
A recurring feature is a “toolkit” approach: adaptable media resources and structured learning tools designed for educational and civic contexts. The package includes the documentary “The Story of Human Rights” and a series of PSAs mapping each right through “30 Rights, 30 Ads”. Interactive websites host resources in 17 languages, helping educators adapt delivery to local audiences.
The Church of Scientology frames its involvement as part of broader community and social-betterment work focused on prevention and education. Its published materials reference Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard on the importance of safeguarding fundamental rights and human dignity, and cite the Code of a Scientologist as encouraging humanitarian engagement in the field of human rights.
Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Scientology’s representative to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, said:
“Human rights grow stronger when people can recognise them, explain them, and apply them in everyday interactions—particularly in schools and neighbourhoods where diversity is a daily reality. Europe’s civic culture is reinforced when young people learn the UDHR’s principles early and view respect, equality and non-discrimination as practical responsibilities.”
Into 2026, the emphasis remains on usability: clear language, modular content and training formats that support lesson plans and community discussions without requiring specialist legal knowledge. Common activities include training for educators and youth workers, community workshops and cooperation with civil-society partners in areas such as inclusion, anti-bullying and equal treatment.
The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a news eu farmers continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.
Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.
Full press release: Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community Focus.