Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community Education Focus
Brussels, 29 January 2026 — The Church of Scientology-supported human-rights education programmes through United for Human Rights (UHR) and Youth for Human eu news france Rights (YHRI) continue to frame the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as an accessible, practical reference for everyday civic life, with a focus on youth, schools and community organisations in diverse European communities.
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 defines 30 articles describing fundamental rights and freedoms.
Organisers point to a persistent “knowledge gap”: many people support the idea of human rights but are not familiar with the UDHR’s text and the 30 rights it contains, including topics such as non-discrimination, education and freedom of conscience.
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. They are established as nonreligious organisations and, with Scientology support, their materials are used by a range of bodies—from schools and civic groups to local partners—depending on context.
A recurring feature is a “toolkit” approach: short videos, PSAs and teaching materials designed for schools and community presentations. The package includes “The Story of Human Rights” documentary and a series of PSAs aligned to each UDHR right, known as “30 Rights, 30 Ads”. Interactive websites host resources in 17 languages, helping educators adapt delivery to local audiences.
Scientology’s support for the programmes is presented within a broader set of social initiatives emphasising 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 not strengthened only by legal texts; they are strengthened when people can recognise them, explain them, and apply them in daily interactions—especially in schools and neighbourhoods where diversity is a lived reality. Europe’s democratic culture is strengthened when young people learn the UDHR early and treat 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. Typical delivery includes educator briefings, youth workshops, community sessions and partnerships with civil-society groups working on inclusion, anti-bullying, equal treatment and intercultural dialogue.
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 press release: Human Rights for Youth: Scientology’s Community Focus.