Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community Partnership Focus

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Brussels, 29 January 2026 — The Church of Scientology-supported human-rights education programmes through United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International continue to frame the UDHR as an accessible, practical reference for daily community life, particularly for youth, teachers and community leaders throughout Europe.

The programmes are built on a clear premise: knowledge of rights supports respect for rights. Adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948, the UDHR lists 30 articles describing basic rights and freedoms.

Organisers point to a persistent “knowledge gap”: many people endorse human rights as a principle but do not know the UDHR’s specific articles, including topics such as non-discrimination, due process and freedom of thought.

UHR states it was founded on the UDHR’s 60th anniversary, with a goal of helping individuals and organisations promote and apply the Declaration’s principles. 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. 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 consistent feature is a “toolkit” model: adaptable media resources and structured learning tools designed for schools and community presentations. The package includes the documentary “The Story of Human Rights” and a series of PSAs mapping each right through “30 Rights, 30 Ads”. Materials are hosted online across 17 languages, supporting adaptation to local needs and age groups.

Scientology’s support for the programmes is presented within a broader set of social initiatives emphasising prevention and education. Official materials also cite L. Ron Hubbard and the Code of a Scientologist in relation to supporting humanitarian endeavours 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.”

Looking into 2026, organisers stress practical usability—clear language, short formats and modular content that supports educators and community leaders without specialised legal training. 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 news euro 2024 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.

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