An Epic Year: The Scientology Humanitarian Movement

History takes its time in recording the events of significance that unfold along the timeline of generations. By design and impression, as a civilization, we mark those events on a calendar that is itself a reflection of the science and technologies that have for ages informed and tracked mankind’s progress.

The Metrics

The Church of Scientology and its members support and participate in eight global humanitarian initiatives and programs. Over 1.5 million volunteers work with youth, educators and myriad groups and organizations on human rights, drug awareness, disaster relief and local community programs.

David Miscavige

The Humanitarian Mission

On the path to peace are many wayposts, and in 2017 they pointed toward a better civilization through the work of Mr. David Miscavige.

Volunteer Ministers

A Force for Good

The humanitarian work of the Church of Scientology is a fundamental part of its mission to bring about a better world through campaigns on human rights, social justice, literacy, education and disaster relief, and to fight the scourge of drugs, illiteracy, discrimination and religious bigotry.

When Disaster Strikes

Historic response by Volunteer Ministers brought exceptional disaster relief, as quakes, floods and hurricanes ravaged millions across the world.

Doing the Heavy Lifting

The instant the blood pressure and voices of Florida’s TV weathermen began rising in shameless anticipation when Hurricane Irma made a tiny insignificant joggle north from its perch along the Cuban coast, Volunteer Ministers sprang into action in Clearwater, 333 miles away.

Rescue & Rebuild

It was a comeback like no other in hurricane history: from an insignificant tropical wave sighted off the African coast on August 13, Harvey grew into the strongest hurricane to hit Texas in 56 years.

At the Epicenter

Incredibly, just two hours after government loudspeakers throughout Mexico City blared out an earthquake safety drill—part of a ceremony commemorating the 10,000 victims of the September 19, 1985, Mexico City earthquake, the ground in and around the Mexican capital began shaking.

Answering the Call

The fourth worst weather-related disaster in Colombia history was bound to happen some day. Just like the Himalayas, the naturally rainy Andean Mountains are filled with ultra-steep drops, making it easy for heavy rains to landslide great boulders at high speed into the populated areas below.

Human Rights

Rights for All

Youth for Human Rights International delegates from 42 countries were a major presence at the 2017 International Human Rights Summit at the United Nations.

Human Rights Summit

At a time when much of the world is wracked by a sweeping refugee crisis, extremist violence and the dangerous rise of religious persecution, United for Human Rights continues to vigorously reaffirm and defend the basic values of human rights in its quest to help implement global norms of social equality.

Women’s Rights

Nearly every sector of society in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has suffered from the impact of terrorist violence in recent years, while media outlets, under government pressure, have failed to adequately report or criticize human rights violations in counterterrorism operations.

Human Rights World Tour

Since 2004, Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) has reached more than 10 million people through the organization’s annual World Educational Tour in community centers, schools and universities in both large cities and remote areas of more than 80 countries.

Connecting with Young Minds

Following a 26-year civil war that ended in 2009 after the loss of more than 100,000 lives, the multiethnic island nation of Sri Lanka is in the midst of a political reconciliation process, accompanied by long-promised reforms.

Drug-Free World

Operation: Drug-Free World

The Church-supported Drug-Free World program is the world’s largest such nongovernmental education initiative.

Spelling Out the Anti-Drug Message

The National Police of Ecuador set the pace—literally—in their race to create a drug-free world and gain traction within their nation. The event not only crossed the finish line, it set a new Guinness World Record with 86,630 individual pledges to say no to illicit drugs.

Walking on the Drug-Free Side

For every person addicted to drugs there is a shattered family. This was the message of the Taiwanese throngs who walked through the streets of Kaohsiung City in March of 2017.

A Message of Hope

Before the entrance of Drug-Free World, Colombia had no national drug prevention program. It was a serious problem, because, according to the nation’s Ministry of Justice, 640 tons of marijuana are consumed in Colombia every year and about 30 percent of that crop is exported.

The Way to Happiness

Peace & Unity

The unusual juxtaposition is undeniable: in conventional wisdom, bikers equal trouble, so 800 bikers must equal a lot of trouble. But the surprising truth on the streets of South Los Angeles defies the conventional wisdom, since it is precisely here that bikers of all races, creeds, and colors gather monthly for the heretofore unthinkable: they ride for peace.

Mobilizing L.A.

Over the past few years, the “Peace Rides,” as they are now known, have grown from dozens to hundreds of riders and drivers at a time, crisscrossing gang territories and extending 100 square miles to communities from Compton to Lancaster. On each ride, the likes of the Black Stallions, East Side Riders Bike Club and National Lowriders carry The Way to Happiness and its constructive message into parks, alleyways and malls—wherever the people are.

Miracle in the Making

Drug traffickers have historically had their way with the easily accessed Philippine Archipelago. They come and go with impunity from tiny island ports, leaving behind them massive ruination. It has been an insolvable problem. But inspired by the “Colombian Miracle,” where distribution of The Way to Happiness helped transform a war-torn nation, Scientologist Jerry Perez de Tagle, started his own The Way To Happiness campaign to help save his home country from drugs, violence and corruption.

Lives in Transformation

Since The Way to Happiness was introduced, thousands of Zambians and their families have begun to live more ethical, productive and responsible lives.

CCHR

CCHR’s Banner Year

Citizens Commission on Human Rights sees major gains for the protection of those abused by psychiatry.

Expansion

An Era of Expansion

The international expansion of the Church of Scientology, which began just a decade ago with the establishment of the religion’s first “ideal” Church in Johannesburg, South Africa, continued at its unprecedented pace throughout 2017.

Expansion

Spiritual Rebirth

The national Church of Scientology New Zealand on the hillside above beautiful Waitemata Harbor in Auckland is dedicated to help serve the religion’s spiritual and humanitarian missions across the Pacific Rim.

Valley of Dreams

New Church of Scientology Valley builds on visions of transforming America’s quintessential suburb as the spiritual hub and center for the Church-supported humanitarian and social betterment programs.

Magical Miami

The Church of Scientology Miami opened to the festive tropical beat of South Florida, bringing thousands together to celebrate the opening and the extension of the Church’s humanitarian campaigns.

City of Freedom

Church of Scientology Denmark grand opening rekindles the spirit and soul of Copenhagen’s historical heart and heralds a new era of interfaith efforts toward shared humanitarian aims.

Ireland Eternal

The new Church of Scientology and Community Centre in South Dublin is dedicated to offering Scientology-sponsored programs and providing a central hub for local activities and events for the strengthening of communities across Dublin and all of Ireland.

A Revolution of the Spirit

The new Church of Scientology in the heart of Birmingham serves as an impetus for initiatives toward cultural reform.

Cultural Icon

The opening of the new Church of Scientology Amsterdam along the historic city’s “Knowledge Mile” reflects the character of the community of Scientologists who celebrated the new facility’s opening and renewed dedication to its already successful work in anti-drug and humanitarian initiatives.

City of Gold Shines

The Church of Scientology returns to the Cradle of Humankind to open a new ideal Church in South Africa’s Johannesburg North.

Religious Freedom

The term “recognition” carries many definitions, but in each the word “acknowledgment” is a key component. Religious recognition—which occurred for the Church of Scientology in three additional nations during 2017—is an acknowledgment of the rights and freedoms associated with religious practices for all. For Scientologists in those nations, the affirmation of their religious freedom is the reward of vigilance.

L. Ron Hubbard essay

The Aims of Scientology

A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights, are the aims of Scientology.

Contents

Editorialplusminus

The Metricsplusminus

David Miscavigeplusminus

A Force for Goodplusminus

Human Rightsplusminus

Drug-Free Worldplusminus

The Way to Happinessplusminus

CCHRplusminus

Expansionplusminus

Religious Freedomplusminus

L. Ron Hubbard essayplusminus

Human Rights

Rights for All

The Way to Happiness

Peace & Unity

Expansion

City of Gold Shines

Religious Freedom

Religious Freedom

Contents

Editorialplusminus

The Metricsplusminus

David Miscavigeplusminus

A Force for Goodplusminus

Human Rightsplusminus

Drug-Free Worldplusminus

The Way to Happinessplusminus

CCHRplusminus

Expansionplusminus

Religious Freedomplusminus

L. Ron Hubbard essayplusminus

Editorial