Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community-Led Education Focus

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BRUSSELS, Belgium — 29 January 2026 — Human-rights education initiatives supported by the Church of Scientology through United for Human Rights (UHR) and Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) continue to highlight the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as an easy-to-use reference for daily community life, especially for young people and educators in diverse European communities.

The approach rests on a simple idea: understanding rights helps strengthen respect for them. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on 10 December news european elections 1948, the UDHR lists 30 articles describing fundamental rights and freedoms.

Programme partners highlight a common challenge: many people agree with human rights in principle but have limited familiarity with what the UDHR actually says, including topics such as non-discrimination, education and freedom of conscience.

United for Human Rights describes itself as created on the UDHR’s 60th anniversary, offering educational materials to expand awareness and support implementation. YHRI, established in 2001 by educator Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, focuses on youth education about the UDHR and a culture of tolerance and peace.

Both programmes focus on education and public information, using structured learning that corresponds to the UDHR’s 30 rights. With backing from the Church of Scientology, the nonreligious initiatives report their resources being used by educators and civic groups, with delivery shaped by local partnerships.

A consistent feature is a “toolkit” model: short videos, PSAs and teaching materials designed for classrooms, youth groups and community settings. The package includes the documentary “The Story of Human Rights” and a series of PSAs often described as “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. Church materials reference L. Ron Hubbard’s writings and the Code of a Scientologist as underscoring support for humanitarian work, including human-rights education.

Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Scientology’s representative to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, said:

“Human rights are reinforced when people can recognise them, explain them and apply them in daily life—especially in schools and neighbourhoods where diversity is lived every day. 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 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 text of the press release: Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community Focus.

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