CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY INTERNATIONAL CO-SPONSORS 9TH ANNUAL HUMAN RIGHTS YOUTH SUMMIT

| BRUSSELS, BELGIUM • SEPTEMBER 24, 2012 |

The Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International co-sponsored the annual human rights summit of Youth for Human Rights International, providing youth the opportunity to assume their roles as human rights leaders of tomorrow.

Brussels—The Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International co-sponsored the 9th Annual International Human Rights Summit September 7–9, 2012, at the International Auditorium in the heart of Brussels.

Co-organized by Youth for Human Rights International, Youth for Human Rights Belgium and the Human Rights Office of the Church of Scientology International, the summit was attended by youth delegates from 30 countries.

Although the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was ratified in 1948, human rights remains an urgent issue in the world today. According to the United Nations World Food Program, undernutrition contributes to five million deaths of children under five in developing countries each year. UNICEF estimates 150 million children ages 5-14 in developing countries are engaged in child labor. The International Labor Organization (ILO) estimates 2.4 million people were victims of human trafficking in the decade from 1995-2005.

Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) was founded on the principle of increasing awareness of human rights through education as the first step toward accomplishing meaningful human rights reforms, and educational ideals and programs were emphasized in the three-day summit. YHRI also raises awareness through distribution of human rights education materials, and human rights world tours.

In recent years, the summit has been held at the United Nations in New York and Geneva. This year’s summit was held in Brussels, the official seat of the European Commission, Council of the European Union, European Council, and one of the two seats of the European Parliament.

Delegates were selected from some 1,000 applicants based on their record of contribution to the cause of human rights, and the three day event afforded many opportunities to expand the scope of their work. Youth delegates met and networked with their counterparts from other countries and with adult leaders in human rights. They honed skills necessary to accomplish their purposes, including communication, organization and public speaking, and they planned their activities for the coming year.

A highlight of the summit was the presentation of four “Human Rights Hero” awards. Recipients of this year’s awards are:

• Ashan Pushpakumara Perera, youth delegate from Sri Lanka and founder of a youth organization which provides opportunities to talented youth in the field of the arts. His work has included motivational workshops in colleges, the organizing of the highly successful “Human Rights Walk” in Sri Lanka on UN Human Rights Day in 2011, and establishment of “The Smile Project” to raise the quality of education through distribution of books to rural schools.
• Ruslan Khusainov, youth delegate from Russia, is active in human rights education throughout the year. His Youth for Human Rights chapter in St. Petersburg, Russia, is one of the largest and most active in the world. He sees that human rights information distribution events take place nearly every day of the year. He participated in the organizing of the Marathon for Peace and Human Rights 2012, an entire month of daily human rights conferences, symposia and street events throughout Russia, Belarus and the Ukraine, to promote the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Alberto Vásquez accepted an award on behalf of Youth for Human Rights Ecuador. This chapter has reached more than 100,000 students in Ecuador schools with human rights education in the past three years, has held workshops for teachers and executives of the country’s educational institutions, organized student human rights clubs around the country, and seen to the airing of the Youth for Human Rights informational videos on 58 TV channels reaching an estimated 4 million people with information about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• Bishop Dr. Chidiebere Anelechi Ogbu founded Impact Africa Network to improve the lives of African communities and uphold Christian literature and values. Impact Africa Network is an association of gospel ministers of African descent in Africa and the Diaspora. Through this network he reached ministers of the gospel in Nigeria, throughout Africa and around the globe to provide human rights education.

The three-day summit also included human rights education workshops and an interfaith conference. Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, Founder and President of Youth for Human Rights International and recipient of the International Association of Scientologists Freedom Medal in 2007, was master of ceremonies. The summit was co-sponsored by Youth for Human Rights International, Youth for Human Rights Belgium, Youth for Human Rights Switzerland, the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International, Village Suisse ONG, the Ariel Foundation International, and Grain de Sable ASBL.

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The Creed of the Church of Scientology, written by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard in 1954, begins with the statement of belief that “all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights.” For more than 50 years, Scientologists have championed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Today, the Church of Scientology sponsors the largest international human rights non-governmental information campaign to make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights known the world over.

^{"You may have been taught that the mind is a very difficult thing to know about. This is the first principle of Scientology: It is possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life."—L. Ron Hubbard}

Church of Scientology Opens National Office in Washington, D.C., Landmark

On Wednesday, September 12, national dignitaries joined more than a thousand Scientologists and guests to celebrate the grand opening of the Church of Scientology’s National Affairs Office in Washington, D.C.

Located in the historic Fraser Mansion at Dupont Circle, the new National Affairs Office stands as the central point from which the Church coordinates its many social and humanitarian initiatives on a national and international level.

The establishment of the National Affairs Office is necessitated by the Church of Scientology’s unprecedented worldwide growth and commensurate demand for Church-sponsored programs. In the past several years, dozens of new Ideal Churches of Scientology (Ideal Orgs) have opened in major cities across the world. In the United States, new Churches now stand in Washington, D.C., New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Sacramento, Seattle, Denver and Phoenix, to name but a few. While internationally, they also now stand in Rome, London, Madrid, Brussels, Berlin, Hamburg, Mexico City, Johannesburg, Melbourne, Moscow and Tel Aviv. Ideal Orgs are designed to both serve the needs of parishioners as well as the community at large, while the National Affairs Office serves to facilitate implementation of the Church-sponsored programs both nationally and internationally.

These programs include a worldwide human rights initiative; equally far-ranging drug education, prevention and rehabilitation programs; a wide-reaching criminal reform program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; a moral education movement restoring the brotherhood of Man; and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers, the world’s largest independent relief force providing emergency response at major disaster sites for more than a decade.

Underscoring the importance of the new National Affairs Office to the Church’s greater social and humanitarian mission, Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, led the dedication. In honoring the occasion, he said: “Here is an Office designed to give back to a United States government that steadfastly guaranteed our religious rights—the very freedom that allows us to do what we are doing today. And with that, we extend our reach by invoking what we hold to be the greatest of all rights, the one right which must be invoked if one is to fight for the freedom of others—the right to help. And yes, that’s what we pledge today with the inauguration of this new Church of Scientology National Affairs Office.”

Dignitaries joining in the opening ceremony included Members of U.S. Congress Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) and Danny Davis (D-IL); as well as Liz Gibson, Senior Program Manager, Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The Honorable Dan Burton spoke to the Church’s signal contributions in the protection of children from psychotropic drugging and preservation of the rights of families: “I applaud you for taking the time to pursue this issue, and for helping make the Child Safety and Medication Act the law of the land. Working together we have been part of a course of correction to safeguard America’s youth while promoting and protecting liberty.”

Acknowledging the Church for its abiding commitment to human rights, the Honorable Sheila Jackson Lee, Member of U.S. Congress, said: “I want to thank L. Ron Hubbard for recognizing that courage is not rewarded but it is valued. And to be able to have the wonderment of people coming together and ensuring that people come together for peace. That’s what I see in the Church, that you have come together for peace. I welcome and support that.”

The Honorable Danny Davis thanked the Church for its commitment to improving one of today’s most pressing social problems—criminal reform: “Since 2004, the Church has been part of the broad coalition that has tirelessly worked with us in Congress to get the Second Chance Act passed into law, which is a monumental first step in reforming our criminal justice system nationwide. I am extremely grateful for the work you do to help those individuals who are most in need.”

Ms. Liz Gibson, Senior Program Manager, Federal Emergency Management Agency, highlighted the effectiveness of Church volunteers in all forms of disaster response and community need: “You have consistently come to the aid of major and many minor disasters around the country. You arrive, help, then help some more and stay on after others have gone home. All our work from the policy level down to the local level depends on groups like the Churches of Scientology Disaster Response—these partnerships are and will be in the future the strength of our work here in this country.”

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The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office houses an array of facilities for meetings, conferences, seminars, workshops and events to promote collaboration on solutions to society’s greatest challenges. In particular, its Chestnut Hall is configured to host a wide range of functions, from human rights symposiums and drug education workshops to panel discussions, press conferences and awards ceremonies.

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The Church of Scientology acquired Fraser Mansion in 1994 to serve as home to the Church of Scientology of Washington, D.C., now located in expanded quarters on 16^th Street Northwest’s historic Church Row. The mansion, dating from 1890, is a nationally registered historic landmark. Under the Church’s custodianship, the combination Beaux-Arts, Renaissance and Romanesque building has been meticulously restored to its original glory. Fraser Mansion also stands just two blocks from the historic Founding Church of Scientology at 1812 19^th Street NW, established in 1955 by Founder L. Ron Hubbard.

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The dedication of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office follows the opening of a series of Ideal Churches of Scientology (Ideal Orgs) in 2012, including the new Center of Scientology in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, August 21; the Churches of Scientology of Los Gatos, California, July 28; Buffalo, New York, June 30; Phoenix, Arizona, June 23; Denver, Colorado, June 16; Stevens Creek in San Jose, California, June 9; Orange County, California, June 2; Greater Cincinnati, February 25; Sacramento, California, January 28; and Hamburg, Germany, January 21.

For a complete list of new Churches of Scientology, visit Scientology.org.

In total, the Scientology religion today comprises more than 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 nations.

^{Happiness and strength endure only in the absence of hate. To hate alone is the road to disaster. To love is the road to strength. To love in spite of all is the secret of greatness. And may very well be the greatest secret in this universe.~~L. Ron Hubbard}, founder of the Scientology religion ^{"You may have been taught that the mind is a very difficult thing to know about. This is the first principle of Scientology: It is possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life."—L. Ron Hubbard}

Ribbon Falls on Ideal Center of Scientology for the Middle East

The new Ideal Center of Scientology Israel was
dedicated in Tel Aviv-Jaffa on August 21, 2012

On August 21, national and city dignitaries as well as religious leaders joined Scientologists from Israel and 27 nations to celebrate the opening of the new Center of Scientology in Tel Aviv. The Center is the first Ideal Scientology Organization (Ideal Org) in the Middle East and designed to both serve the growing membership and provide Scientology-sponsored humanitarian programs throughout the region.

Located on Jerusalem Boulevard in Tel Aviv’s ancient port city of Jaffa, the Center’s new home is the historic Alhambra Theater. Originally constructed in 1937, the landmark is remembered by generations as the premier venue for the greatest names in Arab and Israeli music and theater. In the 1980s, the building was converted into a commercial center and by the first decade of the 21^st century, its glory had faded.

The Center of Scientology acquired the Alhambra and meticulously restored the landmark, to both preserve a site of cultural significance for Israel and provide a center for the entire community. In addition to presenting all Scientology services, it serves as a meeting place for members of all faiths to unite on humanitarian initiatives. To that end, the famed Alhambra auditorium once again stands as a centerpiece for this city.

The watershed grand opening was distinguished by the presence of Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board Religious Technology Center and ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, who personally dedicated the new Center. Addressing the Scientologists in attendance, Mr. Miscavige said: “This center is a gift from the International Association of Scientologists to Israel. As such, it represents our recognition that all religions hold central truths in common and thus may work together to achieve the common dream of universal brotherhood. So from this day hence, it becomes your mission and destiny to extend our help across this legendary land. Let it be done in the spirit of Scientology so that your help is freely given, because it is all about freedom. And let it be done with supreme dedication, because only in that way we will realize the Aims of Scientology and thus a world without insanity, without criminality, without war—a world where the able can prosper, where honest beings have rights and all are free to rise to greater heights.”

Welcoming Scientologists to their new home were civic and religious leaders from across Tel Aviv-Jaffa, including Tel Aviv City Council Member Meital Lehavi; Office of the Prime Minister Director for the Bedouin Sector Mohammad Kaabia; Office of The Prime Minister Senior Coordinator on the Status of Minority Women Rania Pharyra; Biblical scholar and author Dr. Rimon Kasher; Jaffa Arab Christian Community Chairman Peter Habash; and historical preservation architect Eyal Ziv.

In her salutatory address, Tel Aviv City Council Member Meital Lehavi welcomed the Scientology Center to Jaffa: “The story of this house of yours suits the story of Jaffa. It is a house for everyone, accepting everyone. And it is my great hope this house connects, integrates, welcomes and advances the hopes that exist in Jaffa. I am confident that by sitting together, thinking together and working together we keep Jaffa the home for everyone. Your new Center will have an important part in leading the way.”

Office of the Prime Minister Director for the Bedouin Sector Mohammad Kaabia spoke of Scientology’s many humanitarian programs: “When it comes to all we strive for—for freedom, to be included and embraced by one’s fellow man—there is no group that better bears these marks than Scientology. You teach man his rights, you prevent drugs in schools, you take care to build up the individual and you inspire kindness toward one another. I believe we must introduce these programs into all Arab and Bedouin sectors across Israel.”

Rania Pharyra, Senior Coordinator on the Status of Minority Women, Office of The Prime Minister, spoke of the need for the Center’s outreach with The Way to Happiness, a non-religious guide to living: “The Way to Happiness is a new way to understand the purpose of humanity—my purpose, your purpose. We have this tool to spread to the minds and hearts of people not politics, but something that touches the heart of children, youth, adults, all genders, all religions, all races. We can defeat racism, hatred and fear. We can bring a change. We will build the bridge to our greatest dreams.”

Biblical scholar and author Dr. Rimon Kasher spoke of the Center’s vital importance to the region: “I believe Scientology is the only religion that can create a connection or even affinity between the different faiths and the only one that can relieve the tension between religions. It is my hope that with your Ideal Org, you will accomplish your aims. In so doing you will mark a turning point for not just the entire Israeli society, but for all of the Middle East.”

Peter Habash, chairman of the Arab Christian Community of Jaffa, welcomed the volunteer work of the Center: “You have built this amazing Scientology Center to help the Arab Community and all communities of Jaffa. And we believe your Center serves the same goals as we do. When I see your active volunteers, youth and adults, their work makes me feel that you can make a difference here. I see that you are a part of us and a part of Jaffa.”

Historic preservation architect for Jaffa, Eyal Ziv, who directed the restoration of the Alhambra Theater, proclaimed: “Your respect and care for this building is astounding. You created a perfect example of preserving the past for all of Tel Aviv-Jaffa. And so I want to thank you and all associated with the Center of Scientology for bringing new life to this Jaffa jewel.”

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The 60,000-square-foot Center of Scientology Tel Aviv is open to all wishing an introduction to Dianetics and Scientology. Visitors are invited to take a self-guided tour of the expansive Public Information Center, presenting informational and documentary films on the beliefs and practices of Dianetics and Scientology, as well as the life and legacy of Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The Information Center also provides an overview of the many Scientology-sponsored humanitarian programs, including a worldwide human rights initiative; an equally far-ranging drug education, prevention and rehabilitation program; a global network of literacy and learning centers; and the Scientology Volunteer Minister program now comprising the world’s largest independent relief force. In full, the Center’s multimedia displays present more than 500 films, available at the touch of a button. The Center is open morning to night and visitors are welcome to return as often as they wish.

In addition to services conducted in the restored Alhambra auditorium, the new Center of Scientology further includes seminar rooms and classrooms for study, along with dozens of rooms for Scientology auditing (spiritual counseling).

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To commemorate the Alhambra’s rich heritage, the second floor mezzanine houses a permanent exhibition open to the public, so the building’s history may be treasured for generations to come.

Among the many distinctive features magnificently restored throughout the landmark are the mezzanine’s glass-faced clock overlooking Jerusalem Boulevard and the Auditorium’s intricately molded oval ceiling. The International Style and Art Deco façade has also been returned to its original splendor, from the color block windows and ornamental grilles to the prominent “Alhambra” sign that graces the iconic tower.

The Center further includes a rooftop terrace and café. Framed by an oval colonnade, it provides expansive views of the historic hub of Jaffa.

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The opening of the Center of Scientology Tel Aviv follows a series of new Scientology Ideal Organizations opened so far in 2012, including Los Gatos, California on July 28; Buffalo, New York, on June 30; Phoenix, Arizona, on June 23; Denver, Colorado, on June 16; Stevens Creek of San Jose, California, on June 9; and Orange County, California, on June 2. Further opened this year are Greater Cincinnati, Ohio, on February 25; Sacramento, California, on January 28; and Hamburg, Germany, on January 21.


Ideal Orgs reflect the fulfillment of Founder L. Ron Hubbard’s vision for the religion. They not only provide the ideal facilities to service Scientologists on their ascent to greater states of spiritual awareness and freedom, they are also designed to serve as a home for the entire community and a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.

Other new Ideal Orgs opened in recent years include London, Moscow, Brussels, Berlin, Madrid and Rome in Europe; Melbourne, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa; New York, New York; Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, Inglewood, Pasadena and San Francisco, California; Tampa, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Seattle, Washington; Dallas, Texas; Quebec City, Canada; and Mexico City, Mexico.

Five more Ideal Orgs are further scheduled to open in 2012.

For a complete list of new Ideal Orgs of Scientology, visit Scientology.org.

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The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Scientology organization was formed in the United States in 1952 and the religion has expanded to more than 10,000 Organizations, Missions and affiliated groups, with millions of members in 167 countries.

A being is only as valuable as he can serve others.~~~ L. Ron Hubbard; founder of the Scientology religion ^{"You may have been taught that the mind is a very difficult thing to know about. This is the first principle of Scientology: It is possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life."—L. Ron Hubbard}

SCIENTOLOGY RELIGION

The Scientology religion was founded by American author and humanitarian L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed by Scientologists in Los Angeles in 1954. Today the religion spans the globe with more than 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups across 167 nations.

The word Scientology is taken from the Latin word scio, which means “knowing in the fullest meaning of the word,” and the Greek word logos, meaning “study of.” It literally means “knowing how to know.”
Scientology holds that Man is an immortal spiritual being. His experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. His capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized. He is basically good, and his spiritual salvation depends upon himself and his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.

L. Ron Hubbard discovered that a person is neither a body nor a mind but is a spiritual being, independent of both. An individual discovers for himself that Scientology works by applying its principles and observing or experiencing the results. The ultimate goal of Scientology is true spiritual enlightenment and freedom for the individual.

^{"You may have been taught that the mind is a very difficult thing to know about. This is the first principle of Scientology: It is possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life."—L. Ron Hubbard}

SCIENTOLOGISTS MOBILIZE IN SUPPORT OF UN INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST RACIAL DISCRIMINATION

In cities around the world today, Scientologists organize or participate in round tables, petition drives, seminars and marches in support of the United Nations International Day against Racial Discrimination.

The UN General Assembly selected March 21 to commemorate the day in 1960 in Sharpeville, South Africa, when police opened fire on thousands peacefully demonstrating against apartheid, killing 69.

The first article of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” Yet 64 years after the document’s 1948 adoption, headlines still feature racially and ethnically motivated violence.

As announced today, a grand jury in Florida will look into racism as the cause of the February 26 shooting death of 17-year-old African American Trayvon Martin. Four died Monday when a gunman opened fire on parents and children at an Orthodox Jewish school in Toulouse, France. Two Senegalese vendors were shot to death in Florence three months ago by an author known for his far-right extremism.

In his message today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said, “Racism and racial discrimination have been used as weapons to engender fear and hatred. In extreme cases, ruthless leaders instigate prejudice to incite genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said, “Leaving the dangerous societal problems of prejudice and racism to simmer on the back burner creates a real risk of explosive conflicts erupting, years or decades later.”

The human rights initiative of the Church of Scientology promotes education as the key to remedying these and other human rights abuse. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights begins with the injunction to “strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.”

Since its inception, the Church of Scientology championed human rights. The Creed of the Church, written in 1954 by Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard, begins with the statement that Man is an immortal spiritual being and that all people of any race, color or creed are created with equal and inalienable rights.

“It is vital that all thinking men urge upon their governments (for the governments’ own sake if no other) sweeping reforms in the field of human rights,” stated Mr. Hubbard in 1969. To that end, today the Church sponsors one of the world’s largest nongovernmental human rights information campaigns, aimed at raising awareness and calling for governments to meaningfully support and ensure human rights.

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The Scientology religion was founded by author and philosopher L. Ron Hubbard. The first Church of Scientology was formed inthe United States in 1954 and has grown to more than 10,000 Churches, Missions and affiliated groups and millions of members in 167 nations.

"You may have been taught that the mind is a very difficult thing to know about. This is the first principle of Scientology: It is possible to know about the mind, the spirit and life."—L. Ron Hubbard