Despite the violence of a general strike Scientology Volunteer Ministers set up their tent in the heart of Kolkata on International Volunteer Day and helped nearly a thousand people just that afternoon — one person at a time.

Here are some people who are spending their Christmas holiday in the service of people who really need help: (from the Scientology Press Office)




An experienced team of Australian Scientology Volunteer Ministers, who led the disaster relief effort last summer after the Yogyakarta earthquake, are on the ground in the Philippines, helping in the aftermath of Typhoon Durian.

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers are known for their motto: Something can be done about it.
The effective help they bring to people all over the world is beyond comparison. They get RESULTS. Here is a video of them in action.

According to a report organized by ‘Citizens’ Initiative for Rights of Children Under Six' and covered in the The Tribune, Chandigarh, India:

"India's children 'is best described as a humanitarian emergency.'

"The survey reveals that approximately half of India's children are undernourished, more then half suffer from anaemia and a similar proportion do not get immunisation.
India has the highest proportion of undernourished children besides Bangladesh, Ethiopia and Nepal. >> continued

I have been following the work of Mohammad Khalil Ullah and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers of West Bengal, covered in the Scientology Press Office. His work to help the children of Kolkata is so important. >> continued

This essay in an online Nepalese journal is quite astute. In honor of this week's Nobel Peace Prize award:

Nobel Peace Prize was founded in 1901.Thereafter, 94 exemplary figures and 19 humanitarian organizations have received the dazzling prize. But ironically, a person whose very life symbolizes peace never got the prized accolade. Isn’t this surprising? But yet, Mahatma Gandhi continues to shine as the beacon of love, peace and non-violent resistance all over the world. Why? Because he was a man, who proved that even the greatest of all conflicts could be resolved by the weapons of non violence and love.

Take for instance, the latest Nepalese peace accord singed by the Maoists and the Government. Who would have in their wildest dreams thought that after years of violent conflict, peace would finally shroud Nepal and that too through round table consensus? But that has happened in Nepal and Nepal has shown the world that conflicts no matter how harsh can be resolved by non violent means – once again Gandhism prevails.>>

Peace - the Message of Christmas

The message of Luke 2:14 is one that resonates in 2006 as much as it has for the past two thousand years.

May we all work together to accomplish it.

This is a great video that shows the impact of the most effective help force on earth - the Scientology Volunteer Ministers. The video is in several languages. This one is in Italian.

Human Rights Day

Human Rights day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations.

Just reading about the atrocities that occured during World War II, I can imagine the shock that must have gone through the world when what was going on in the death camps came to light.

The Universal Declaration had, as one of its purposes, to ensure that such atrocities would never occur again.

Yet 58 years later we can hardly say that it has accompolished that purpose, with civil wars, terrorism, genocide still with us.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights were enforced as law and everyone needs to know what they contain.

Just for example, can you name off all 30 Articles?

If not, how can you really work to defend and protect them?

Get educated at www.youthforhumanrights.org

As a Scientologist I am very proud that the Scientology religion is dedicated to human rights.

Reliefweb

Reliefweb is an excellent resource for information on disasters and how you can help.

Volunteer Day - A Day to Acknowledge All Who Help

On Volunteer Day 2006 I would like to thank everyone who gives of their time to help their fellow man. There are many millions of people who do so, and without them the world would be a much harder, less human, darker place.

Callling for Volunteer Ministers

There is a call out for any Scientology Volunteer Minister who can go to the Philippines, to contact the Volunteer Ministers coordinator at vm@volunteerministers.org. Over 1000 are dead from Typhoon Durian, and help is desperately needed.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Helping Around the World

There's an excellent video on YouTube that shows what the Scientology Volunteer Ministers are doing to help in disasters and just around their own neighborhoods to make a difference in the lives of people.



For more information about Scientology visit the Scientology Press Office

Scientology Event

After the event I attended last weekend for the anniversary of the International Association of Scientologists I decided to get a lot more active as a Scientologist.

I saw what some Scientologists are doing - the guys who won the IAS Freedom Medal. This was so impressive. These are people who literally risked their lives to help people who really needed it.

In case you haven't seen the event I won't blow it for you. But I will tell you this. David Miscavige was in rare form. The talk he gave at the start of the event was the most hard hitting I've heard yet, and the ethical level of our society. Pulled no punches.

And Mr. Miscavige's talk at the end hit me between the eyes in terms of how much I'm doing now and what it is really going to take to turn this planet around.

So I've decided to volunteer every weekend at least one afternoon a week, and I've signed up for a number of activities, including getting the anti-drug booklets the church is sponsoring out into society.

Church of Scientology Mission of Lafayette

This photo, taken last year during the Hurricane Katrina relief effort, is on the new web site of the Church of Scientology Mission of Lafayette, LA.

Nancy Cartwright (the voice of Bart Simpson) and Marie Pace at the Boys and Girls Club Shelter with Francis J. Plaisance, President/Grand Parade Chairman of the Louisiana Cattle Festival and Fair Association.

Data.Org

I found data.org today and really like what I see.

There is a lot of information on what you can do to help with the crisis in sub-Sahara Africa, and some startling facts.

For example, if the money Europeans pay in one year on ice cream were to be spent on the AIDS epidemic wew could wipe it out.

I don't know if that's true, but it certainly is food for thought.

David Miscavige Announces the Expansion of the Church of Scientology of London

With the new Church of Scientology of London there will be far more services available to the people of the city and all of the UK. That was the message from Mr. David Miscavige at the Grand Opening.

"We are about to drive home the message 'This is Scientology ' like you have never seen," said David Miscavige , chairman of the Church of Scientology (sic.) [David Miscavige is actually the Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center.]

So reports Robert Booth on Saturday in the Sunday Times - a story that got picked up internationally.

And Sunday's grand opening was everything Mr. Miscavige promised.

The Scientology Press Office announces the news as follows:

With thousands of Scientologists, local residents and officials in attendance, the new Church of Scientology of London opened its doors.

Mr. David Miscavige , Chairman of the Board of the Religious Technology Center and leader of the Scientology religion , stressed the historical importance of London. "This is the city L. Ron Hubbard himself [founder of the Scientology religion] selected as home to the first Scientology organization. This is also the city wherein he first defined the human spirit as an immortal being possessed of capabilities beyond anything predicted, and so arrived at the axiomatic truths on which the whole of Scientology is founded. Your early London organizations were also the original proving ground for the bulk of Mr. Hubbard’ s social betterment programs which are used to uplift neighborhoods just like this one."

The work of the Scientologist

There is a beautiful site by Danish Scientologist Thorston Overgaard where he documents the work of hundreds of Scientologists who responded to the "Call to Action" put out by the Church of Scientology International and local Scientology churches, and traveled to the tsunami-devastated regions of South Asia in late Dec 2004/early Jan 2005 to help with the relief and salvage effort and the reconstruction of these areas.


It is a very moving story.

And very beautifully photographed.

Human Rights Watch has a page with the bare, unembelished facts of child soldiers. If you haven't read it, you should. It's going on in our world right as I write and you read.


HRW: Child Soldiers: Facts About Child Soldiers

International Day for
the Eradication of Poverty

Today is anti-poverty day.

The General Assembly declared 17 October as the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to be observed beginning in 1993. It noted that activities undertaken with respect to the Day will take into account those undertaken each 17 October by certain non-governmental organizations and invited all States to devote the Day to presenting and promoting, as appropriate in the national context, concrete activities on the eradication of poverty and destitution.

The General Assembly also invited intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to assist States, at their request, in organizing national activities for the observance of International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, paying due attention to the specific problems of the destitute.

Whiteband.org runs a yearly campaign to promote this day and activities to achieve the goals set for it.

Choice Humanitarian

Beautiful web site and really bright idea -- humanitarian expeditions

Lawrence Anthony

Lawrence Anthony is an African environmentalist whose organization, The Earth Organization is racing against time to preserve the natural habitats form many endangered species, and to reverse the disastrous trends that are ruining the sustainability of our planet.

He also has his own new web site: Lawrence Anthony Family and Friends, which explains his mission and tells of some of his accomplishments.

Mr. Anthony, among his other awards, has been acknowledged for his great contributions with an IAS Freedom Medal.

Nobel Peace Laureate - Muhammad Yunus

BANGLADESHI Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus said yesterday he would donate his share of the $1.8 million prize money.

Mr Yunus said he would use his share to fund a project to produce cheap, nutritious food for the poor, an eye hospital, a drinking water project and a health-care scheme. "I will donate all my money to these enterprises," he said.

"These will be purely social business enterprises - not-for-profit organisations."

The French food giant Danone and Mr Yunus's Grameen Bank said this year they would work together to produce food to provide nutrition to millions of poor people.

Citizens Commission on Human Rights Exposes Psychiatric Fraud

This video is a pretty incredible indictment of the current state of psychiatry.

Out of their own mouths...

Watch it here.

American Friends Service Committee

When I was just out of college, in grad school, my boyfriend, who was a very devout Catholic, started working for the American Friends Service Committee as a "draft counselor."

This was right during the hottest point of the Viet Nam War, and because we lived close to Canada there were people coming up there, checking out what it would take to get across the border, and what they would lose by doing it, and what other options they had.

I lost track of Joe, and don't know how he fared. He had a applied for "conscientious objector" status and there weren't many of those being handed out.

But I bring it up as just another example of the great work the Quakers do.

Before the eighteenth century, very few white men questioned the morality of slavery. The Quakers were among these few. The doctrines of their religion declared an issue such as slavery to be unjust. By 1775, the Quakers founded the first American anti-slavery group. Through the 1700s, Quakers led a strong-held prohibition against slavery. The Quakers’ fight inspired
growing numbers of abolitionists, and by the 1830’s abolitionism was in full force and became a major political issue in the United States.

The American Friends Society is still very much alive and involved in progressive and humanitarian work.

Here's a great blog that links to many other Quaker blogs.

Volunteer Ministers of Gabarone

I was really impressed by this story on Scientology Today - the Church's news site.

Several members of the Volunteer Ministers team spotted a fire in a dump in Gabarone, Botswana, and stayed for 6 or 8 hours to put it out, even after the fire department came to take care of it.

That is certainly going the extra distance!

Salvation Army Prevails Before the EU Court of Human Rights

In a precedent that portends the fair treatment of religions throughout Europe, the Salvation Army prevailed over the Russian law, passed in 1997, that restricts the practice of religion.

Although this case is about Russia, the EU Court has jurisdiction over all European countries, and those such as Germany, France and Belgium will have to wake up to the fact that they too are not above the law as regards freedom of religion.

Congratulations to the "Army," and may they continue to win their wars!

The Council of Europe press release gives the full details of the case:

The Red Cross

Begun as a humanitarian activity on the battlefield, to save the lives of soldiers no matter which side they were on, the Red Cross and Red Crescent societies encompass help in times of need in all kinds of forms.

Whether it is blood drives, or assistance during floods, earthquakes, you name it, they are there and their volunteers are on the front lines.

The world would be a much colder, less forgiving place without their familiar symbols showing up when people need it most.

The Dream of Martin Luther King Jr.

I look forward confidently to the day when all who work for a living will be one with no thought to their separateness as Negroes, Jews, Italians or any other distinctions. This will be the day when we bring into full realization the American dream -- a dream yet unfulfilled. A dream of equality of opportunity, of privilege and property widely distributed; a dream of a land where men will not take necessities from the many to give luxuries to the few; a dream of a land where men will not argue that the color of a man's skin determines the content of his character; a dream of a nation where all our gifts and resources are held not for ourselves alone, but as instruments of service for the rest of humanity; the dream of a country where every man will respect the dignity and worth of the human personality.

The UN Office for Humanitarian Affairs

In December 1991 the UN General Assembly established the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and Department of Humanitarian Affairs (DHA) to strengthen UN response to emergencies and natural disasters.

Its 2005 budget was $10 million, mostly received directly from UN member states.

OCHA is headed by the Undersecretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, currently Mr. Jan Egeland.

Lauareates

The definition of Laureates is quite intersting:

1. Worthy of the greatest honor or distinction: “The nation's pediatrician laureate is preparing to lay down his black bag” (James Traub).
2. Crowned or decked with laurel as a mark of honor.
3. Archaic. Made of laurel sprigs, as a wreath or crown.

n.

1. One honored or awarded a prize for great achievements especially in the arts or sciences: a Nobel laureate.
2. A poet laureate.

[Middle English, from Latin laureātus, adorned with laurel, from laurea, crown of laurel, from feminine of laureus, of laurel, from laurus, laurel.]

A laurel wreath has been the symbol of excellence since Ancient Greece, where the wreath was awarded to great scholars, artists, soldiers, and those athletes who won in competitions such as the Olymic Games.

It is also awarded to those whose humantarian efforts have brought us all closer to peace.

I think that may be the most important laureate of all.

Definition of "Humanitarian"

"One who is devoted to the promotion of human welfare and the advancement of social reforms; a philanthropist."

It is a belief of the Scientology religion that all men and women, in an unaberrated state, are humanitarians -- that they seek the welfare of all humanity, as well of that of themselves, their families and their groups.

Great Quote

I found this great quote on the Artists for Human Rights web site.

"No one is born hating another person because of the color of their skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite."

Nelson Mandela

International Peace Day

It is days like the International Day of Peace that turn us all into humanitarians.

It is so heartening to see the incredible response people all over the world have to this day.

There is a great web site that has photos of events done by people of all religions, races, ethnicities and beliefs all of whom share one dream - world peace.

Anne Archer

Anne Archer could have been satisfied with just being an accomplished actor and a stunning woman, but she is committed to human rights and has been an ardent advocate of the rights of others for many years.

She recently created a group called Artists for Human Rights.

Last night she was the presenter in Washington D.C. of the Human Rights Leadership Awards of Freedom Magazine.

thecommunity.com

There is a really terrific web site on the Nobel Laureates.

It has great information on what the Laureates are doing today to bring about world peace.

And Peace is such a precious commodity.

Having been recognized as humanitarians, these men and women do not stop there. They carry on.

TheCommunity.com, in partnership with Alex Kitman Ho (producer of Hotel Rwanda), is producing a series of interviews for television with Paul Simon, Michael Douglas, Bono and other artists interviewing the world's peacebuilders. Scheduled for completion in 2007, the series will bring the lives and wisdom of these leaders -- seen through the eyes of some of the icons of today's global culture -- into homes across the globe.

Commemorating 9/11

While we all recall the tragic events of five years ago, there is another aspect of any commemoration of 9/11, and that is remembering the heroes -- the rescue workers who risked their lives in the desparate home of saving a few more lives -- and the many volunteers who helped the rescue workers, including the Scientology Volunteer Ministers.

Mr. David Miscavige in his keynote address at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of New York paid tribute to the courage and dedication of these New York Scientologists.

Scientology News

There are so many constructive projects being done by Scientologists - projects of a really humanitarian nature.

Now there is a beautifully redesigned new Scientology news web site at www.scientologytoday.org.

A real must-see.

Churches of Scientology support and contribute to a variety of other established community programs such as the Red Cross, the March of Dimes, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and local community groups in cities the world over. This support ranges from broad participation in drug-free blood drives, to city-wide collection of holiday toys for needy children, to donations of food and clothing for under-privileged families. Every year, for example, Scientology churches around the United States are drop-off points for toys donated for the United States Marine Corps popular "Toys for Tots" campaign. Similar toy drives are held wherever there are Scientology churches and missions.

I am completely incensed with the Washington Post's latest pandering to big pharma.

Here's the latest quote disorder invented by the American (ha!) Psychiatric Association to make money for the drug pushers.

First we get stuffed full of meds, our genetically engineered foods don't provide adequate nutrition, and then when we feel awful and try to find out why they cover their tracks by creating a new disorder -- "somatization disorder."

Hey. I have an idea. Instead of taking drugs and costly ineffective "therapy" how about eating a diet that's got adequate nutrition?

And if you are in pain and want help right way, pick up a copy of the Scientology Handbook (or read it online) and learn how to give an assist to someone and get one in return. In other words -- get some REAL help and not pseudoscience.

Motivation

Humanitarians are motivated by the desire to help their fellow man.

In today's materialistic society some have a hard time conceiving this. In fact they twist true humanitarian work to fit with their view of life - a perverted view where people are trying to rip one another off and profit by the pain and suffering of others.

But the Scientologists I know, who volunteer in one or more of our programs are truly motivated by the desire to help.

I thought I'd put in the actual definitions of humanitarian, seeing that this is what this blog is about.

1. Concern for human welfare, especially as manifested through philanthropy.

2. The belief that the sole moral obligation of humankind is the improvement of human welfare.

Of interest - seeing I am a woman - is an article put out by Forbes Magazine called "Most Powerful Women Humanitarians." I found it fascinating to see what power these ladies weild, while also dedicated to helping others.

Did you know that the Red Cross have a Museum on their website?

It is very interesting to see its history and progression. It would have to be one of the the most well known and respected humanitarian groups on the planet.

I personally give blood to help them in their efforts and I just think they should be acknowledged for their good work and the care they give their fellow man.

Mandela and Martin Luther King

I saw and incredible short film the other day. It was so moving and so real.

It's actually not even a "film" really because it's less than a minute long. But it is so powerful. It's a public service announcement from Youth for Human Rights International.

Check it out here -- look for human right number 20.

Delegates and human rignts leaders, young and old, are set to converge on the United Nations headquarters in New York on August 24 for a two-day summit to work out how to use human rights education to find a road to peace. It's being organized by the Human Rights Department of the Church of Scientology International and Youth for Human Rights International.

It's more and more relevant as we read the news and see the horrible scenes of violence in the Middle East and the escalating Iraqi insurgency.

They plan to have art exhibitions, summits, discussions etc.

But they also intend to have something substantial come out of this conference that will make a difference. Certainly if human rights was really taught in schools and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights made known and used, which is one of the aims of Youth for Human Rights International, we would see less violence in the world and more willingness of people to settle their differences peacefully.

Human rights is very much an issue these days and there is a group of people who are disseminating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in a very unique way. They are "Youth for Human Rights." What they have produced in coordination with the Church of Scientology International is 30 public service announcements depicting each of the 30 human rights.

These were released recently at an event hosted by David Miscavige.

Grand Opening of the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg: Presentation by Mr. David Miscavige

November 2003 will be remembered as a landmark in the history of the Scientology religion, as it was then that the new Church of Scientology of Johannesburg held its grand opening and dedicated itself to the creation of a new civilization.

It was also very exciting for all the local Scientologists in Johannesburg, as Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Centre, visited their city -- the first time he came to South Africa -- and his inspirational speech launched a movement to accomplish what L. Ron Hubbard had predicted over thirty years ago: "From Southern Africa will spring the next great civilization on this planet...." — L. Ron Hubbard

The Church of Scientology International described David Miscavige's presentation at the grand opening in a press release which included the following:

A Most Special Guest

"The event was capped by the appearance of

Mr. David Miscavige, Chairman of Religious Technology Center, custodian of the religious scriptures of Scientology.

"Mr. David Miscavige’s presence to dedicate and open the new church was significant, both for him, personally, as a first-time visitor to the country, as well as for the parishioners of the 45-year-old Johannesburg church. 'It is my honor to address you, to walk in a land where L. Ron Hubbard laid so many milestones, and on this, your milestone day,' he stated. "

More information on Mr. David Miscavige

Articles and Speeches

David Miscavige - International News

David Miscavige Pays Tribute to L. Ron Hubbard

David Miscavige - Religious Technology Center, Holder of the Dianetics and Scientology Trademarks -

Religious Technology Center The Guarantor of Scientology's Future - David Miscavige

David Miscavige - Human Rights Advocate

Volunteer Ministers Again

I liked this posting I saw on http://whyihelp.blogspot.com/

Since I feel the same way as B.L. I thought I'd share it:

Volunteer Ministers Featured in Freedom Magazine

Several volunteer ministers were featured in the most recent edition of Freedom Magazine. They are exceptional beings who have set aside their own personal comfort and safety to help people in times of disaster.

I am very proud to be a Scientology Volunteer Ministers and when I read about the work these people have done I am all the more honored to be part of the same ranks as they are.

Posted by: B.L. / 8:02 PM

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers South Pacific Goodwill Tour is in Auckland New Zealand.

From here they go on to Fiji and the other islands of the South Pacific.

These beautiful Maori girls have a copy of the Way to Happiness, a non-religious moral code that is also used as the basis of the criminal rehabilitation program of Criminon.

The Goodwill Tour also uses the Scientology Handbook as the textbook for providing training and one-on-one help wherever they go.

For more information on Scientology, I recommend reading excerpts from the speech by David Miscavige called This is Scientology.

Youth for Human Rights -- Public Service Announcements

I finally saw the PSAs YHRI and the Church of Scientology International produced.

Wow.

They are intense.

Three of them are on I Tunes. Search for Youth for Human Rights.

There are 30 in all and they are amazing.

Nobel Peace Laureate Nelson Mandela celebrates 88th birthday

This story appeared in the Transworld News and bears repeating:

The man credited with ending apartheid and bringing democracy to South Africa was the center of praise as media and dignitaries celebrated Mandela’s birthday on Tuesday. South African president Thabo Mbeki expressed gratitude and hope for the man he succeeded in 1999.

Opting to forgo any public appearances on his birthday, Mandela chose to spend it quietly with family in Qunu part of the Eastern Cape province. The man affectionately referred to as ‘grandfather’ is marking his eighth anniversary with wife Graca Machel as well.

Having retired from public life in 2004, Mandela now concentrates on social issues effecting Africa. Chief among these, the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Mandela spent twenty-seven years in prison for what amounted to charges of sabotage and treason. He refused an offer of conditional release for renouncing armed struggle in 1985 and remained in jail until international pressure resulted in his freedom in February 1990.

Upon his release Mandela maintained his ties to the African National Congress (ANC) and he delivered a speech to the nation declaring:

“Our resort to the armed struggle in 1960 with the formation of the military wing of the ANC was a purely defensive action against the violence of apartheid. The factors which necessitated the armed struggle still exist today. We have no option but to continue. We express the hope that a climate conducive to a negotiated settlement would be created soon, so that there may no longer be the need for the armed struggle.”

South Africa’s first true democratic election was held in 1994 and Mandela, as leader of the ANC, was inaugurated as the country’s first black State President. Mandela served as president from 1994-1999 during which the country moved away from minority rule and apartheid.

Mr. Mandela reminds me of this quotation by L. Ron Hubbard:

"Single men and determined groups have been the only makers of space in which man could walk free."

Former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, now 75 and the chairman of an environmental lobby group, Green Cross International, was the Soviet president from 1985-91.

He was awarded the 1990 Nobel Peace Prize for his role in ending the Cold War.

The mission of Green Cross International, as stated by Mr. Gorbachev, is:

"We desperately need to recognize that we are the guests not the masters of nature and adopt a new paradigm for development, based on the costs and benefits to all people, and bound by the limits of nature herself rather than the limits of technology and consumerism."

Scientology Volunteer Minister Disaster Relief Team in Java

I have a friend from Australia who is keeping me updated on what is going on in Java after the earthquake.

The team of Scientology Volunteer Ministers who arrived within days of the quake are still there. That's over a month giving one-on-one help at the scene of the disaster, living in the same appalling conditions that the local residents find themselves in.

I have so much respect for these volunteers, and the tremendous work they are doing.

Humanitarian Relief

It is a real humanitarian act when private individuals donate their time to help in the wake of disaster.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are in Java helping the victims of the recent earthquake.

They are working in hospitals and with community groups and helping to train community groups as there are hundreds of thousands who need help.

To anyone who might have been thinking about going to Java to volunteer, but may not have skills or know how they can help, the Volunteer Ministers will provide training and work for you to do. You can contact the Indonesia Scientology Disaster Relief Team Coordinator at virginias@scientology.net for information on how you can help.

For more information on Scientology and the Scientology Volunteer Ministers visit the Scientology Press Office.

According to the Oxford Concise dictionary, humanitarian means: • adjective concerned with or seeking to promote human welfare. • noun a humanitarian person.

I think one of the greatest humanitarian documents of our time is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In 30 articles, it outlines the basic rights necessary to guarantee human welfare for all.

But for 58 years since the Universal Declaration was drafted humanitarian crimes and human rights violations have continued unabated with some of the worst wars and genocides of history.

You could get pretty pesimistic about this and give up.

Or you could look at why it hasn't worked.

My church conducted surveys all over the world and found that the overwhelming majority of people hadn't even heard about the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and many of those who had heard about it didn't know what was covered in the document.

Education is the missing step -- helping people learn and understand what these rights are and helping them realize it is the responsibility of each of us to ensure these rights exist for everyone.

The Church of Scientology International in partnership with Youth for Human Rights International has created Public Service Announcement (PSAs) which really convey the essence of each of these articles.

Three of these PSAs are available to view online at the Church of Scientology International Human Rights News Forum site or the Youth for Human Rights Web Site.

You should watch these videos. They really smoke. I'm sure you will agree they really get the message across.

If you like them as much as I do, you can help make sure other people know about them by linking to them and contacting TV stations to ask them to air them. On any stations who agree to aire them, notify the Human Rights Director of the Church of Scientology International who will make sure they get copies of the PSA. You can e-mail her at humanrightsdir@scientology.net