Youth for Human Rights 2009 World Fosters Peace and Hope

For eight weeks, members of Youth for Human Rights International carried out the Sixth Annual Human Rights World Tour, led by Scientologist and International Association of Scientologist Freedom Medal Winner, educator Mary Shuttleworth. The Scientology Press Office interviewed Mary on what inspired her to undertake this project and what results were accomplished.

Scientology Today: You are not only the President of Youth for Human Rights, you also founded it in 2001. Why did you decide to do this?

Mary: As a young girl growing up in apartheid South Africa I saw firsthand the devastating effects of discrimination and the lack of the most basic human rights. Traveling abroad I realized that discrimination and slave-like conditions could be found far beyond the borders of my country. Children who do not know that they have human rights are vulnerable. As an educator I knew that teaching learners about human rights would be the first step for them to defend and protect not only their rights but also those of their peers.

Scientology Today: In less than a decade you have turned this idea into an international organization — Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI). What are you most proud of having accomplished?

Mary: Taking the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), an excellent but scholarly document, and depicting those rights in simple literature and videos so that anyone can quickly learn and teach the 30 articles enshrined in that document. We have brought the UDHR, a document for the people, to the people.

Scientology Today: You have just completed the 6th annual Youth for Human Rights World tour. In less than two months, you visited twelve countries. Why did you decide to do human rights world tours?

Mary: Human rights cannot be taught at people-it has to be with people. Because those rights need to relate to the people where they live, study, work and dream.

Nothing replaces meeting people and interacting with them where they live.By traveling to different countries I can see the issues people face and the outstanding efforts individuals are making to improve conditions. One face-to-face meeting accomplishes more than months of e-mails, phone calls or faxes.

This year our World Tour started in the US and wound its way through twelve countries: From Mexico to Barbados, Colombia and Argentina in the Americas, on to the Pacific and Australia and Timor-Leste (East Timor). From there we went to Jordon in the Middle East and Russia and Switzerland, and finally to Africa with Uganda and South Africa. Within the space of a couple of months, with the help of dedicated volunteers around the world, we spoke with hundreds of leaders, met thousands of students and reached millions through the media resulting in exponential expansion of global knowledge about human rights.

Scientology Today: What stands out about this year’s tour?

Mary: It was an inspiration to see how much support there is for human rights, and how many public-spirited leaders and dedicated individuals are adopting our program. United Nations officials, heads of state, ministers of education and so many other political and community leaders took it on themselves to teach human rights to the next generation as soon as they realized how easy it is to do so.

We learned the most profound lessons from the many wonderful people working hard to improve conditions with incredibly limited resources and under the poorest and most devastating conditions.

Scientology Today: What kind of impact is your campaign having on the world today?

Mary: When we started nine years ago, few people had even heard of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Even high-level officials whom I interviewed did not know what their human rights were.

Today millions of people are learning about human rights through community groups, religious groups, schools and the media. Thousands of groups have incorporated the YHRI materials into their own programs.

We are making “Human Rights” buzz words!

Scientology Today: You are a Scientologist — what does this have to do with why you chose human rights as the project you wanted to create and support?

Mary: What I believe is beautifully expressed in The Creed of the Church of Scientology, which states that “Man is basically good; That he is seeking to survive; That his survival depends upon himself and upon his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.”

I have witnessed extreme poverty and I have met children who are raising their brothers and sisters after their parents, families and even societies turned their backs on them. I have seen children dying of preventable diseases.

I have seen the effects of widespread illiteracy in the information age and I have listened to scholars discussing human rights with cold disconnect from the harsh realities faced by so many millions.

So I was inspired by L. Ron Hubbard who wrote, “Human rights must be made a fact, not an idealistic dream.”Scientology Today: Is there something that stands out about this year’s tour?

Mary: I was so impressed with the grassroots level work of local YHRI teams. Watching them in action in their own communities was amazing. During one of our meetings with top officials I listened to one of the YHRI youth leaders discussing human rights. He talked about the issues and the vital role that informed youth can play to help officials handle their local problems. That country has a majority youth population -more youth than adults. I watched the profound impact he created with his insight into the situations at hand and his clear explanation of solutions that can be brought about by teaching human rights to the youth. I was so incredibly proud!

Scientology Today: Where do you plan to go from here?

Mary: We are planning our sixth annual YHRI International Summit to bring together youth from around the world to discuss human rights issues and the important role of human rights education in raising the quality of life for young and old alike. And we are already planning the YHRI World Tour 2010. The exact route is not yet set but the countries are lining up with outreach and meetings that promise, once again, to expand YHRI exponentially!

Scientology Today: Do you have a message for people reading this interview?

Mary: It’s easy to teach Human Rights. Tell your friends, your family and your neighbors. Inspire them to teach Human Rights. As a non-profit organization we need the help of likeminded people, groups and organizations to help reach people in all corners of the world so that everyone has the opportunity to learn about the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and our human rights.

^{"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.}

Narconon Celebrates Decades of Drug Rehabilitation Service in Spain and Italy

Narconon Los Molinos has been operating without cease for 30 years, seven days a week, 24 hours a day. One of three Narconon centers in Spain, it was a pioneer in Europe -- the second to open outside the United States after a Swedish rehab opened in 1974. The Narconon network, founded by heroin addict William Benitez in Arizona State Prison in 1966, originated from a first residential center in Los Angeles after Benitez was released and spread in a grassroots movement which now comprises over 150 groups in over 50 countries.

At a warm celebration in late September, Juan Luis Dominguez, National Director of Narconon Spain, welcomed fifty Narconon graduates along with 150 parents to share the wins and successes of living drug-free. "75% of our graduates achieve stable, life-long sobriety," Dominguez said. Among many success stories shared at the event, one parent said, "Thankfully, we found a Narconon center flyer, and we contacted them. What a blessing! Our son found the right direction in a wonderful rehab center with a great staff. He has regained his life and is totally recovered, married today with two children and a good job."

Meanwhile, similar good news was being spread down at Narconon Il Gabbiano's 14th anniversary in Melendugno, near Salento, Italy. The Narconon drug rehabilitation program has been in Italy since 1981. The Gabbiano center has expanded since its founding in 1995 to be able to house 100 students, the largest European Narconon complement at this time.

Mayor Vittorio Poti presided over a crowd of 200, including local authorities and parents and graduates. Drugs, of course, have long been a serious problem in southern Italy, and the Mayor spoke expansively of "the very interesting continuing collaboration between the city of Melendugno and Narconon Il Gabbiano."

Daniela Prattella, director of the Gabbiano drug rehab, said that "Narconon has been united with our surrounding communities against drug and alcohol abuse, now more than ever." In addition to rehabilitation, Italian Narconon centers have been commended for delivering extensive drug education to children and young adults as well as creating public awareness events.

^{"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.}

Katrina Retrospective: Scientologists John Travolta, Kelly Preston, Kirstie Alley

John Travolta supported the Volunteer Ministers Hurricane Katrina disaster relief. He flew to Baton Rouge with his wife Kelly Preston to bring in much needed food supplies and tetanus vaccines to people in the region.



Kirstie Alley wrote a personal check in a store for five trucks of supplies for the victims and relief workers in New Orleans.

^{"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.}

David Miscavige Dedicated Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Gours

It was only a few years ago that Mr. David Miscavige announced the launch of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers Goodwill Tour.

As a Scientologist I am so proud of the work the Volunteer Ministers do, and so happy Mr. Miscavige decided to make this help so broadly available.

I've read about some of the countries where these Goodwill Tours have gone: India--anyone who was mesmerized by last year's Slumdog Millionaire as I was would be proud to be doing something about it. The VMs in India are doing such an important service. So are the VMs in the Philippines, in the Outback, in the Amazon....



^{"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.}

Nashville: Visit of Scientology leader David Miscavige

Having traveled 20,000 miles since the opening of the Fort Harrison in mid March, Scientology leader David Miscavige once again officiated the ribbon cutting of yet another new Church, this one in Nashville, Tennessee-Music City, USA.

The opening of the new Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre Nashville, just one mile from "Music Row," drew Scientologists from across the region. Also on hand were scores of local dignitaries, residents and Hollywood celebrities. Among those who addressed the gathering were Grammy-winning composer and musician Mark Isham and actresses Anne Archer and Jenna Elfman.

Then again, speaking to the broader significance of a Church of Scientology in the heart of Music City, Mr. Miscavige dedicated the new Church:

"The new Ideal Org and Celebrity Centre signals great things for tomorrow. And when you couple that with our ability to recover to individuals their inherent creativity, our ability to reawaken dreams and restore the power to achieve those dreams, yes, we can now make good on what L. Ron Hubbard tells us regarding the artist as creating the beauty and glory on which cultures depend.

"And that's both what this new Church represents and why we have come to Nashville. For while Nashville is known as the heart and soul of American music, let her now fulfill her destiny and write a song that will uplift every man."

With that, the ribbon was cut and the new Church in Music City, USA, opened to all to begin writing that new song.

^{"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.}

Human Rights campaign sponsored by the Church of Scientology

Human Rights

The Church’s human rights initiative is aimed at bringing about global awareness through 30 PSAs, one for each article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the film The Story of Human Rights.

Central to Scientology beliefs is a conviction that all humankind is entitled to inalienable rights. So it is that for more than 50 years Scientologists have championed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Today, the Church of Scientology sponsors the largest non-governmental information campaign to make the Universal Declaration of Human Rights known the world over.

The Church’s human rights initiative sponsors groups and activities and provides its materials to individuals, groups and government agencies in 82 nations. This includes:

• What are Human Rights? booklets educate youth and adults on the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in terms anyone can understand.
• A study guide, activities manual and educator’s classroom kit give teachers, human rights groups and governments effective tools to educate youth and adults on their human rights.
• An accompanying documentary video, The Story of Human Rights complements the PSAs, booklets and educator materials as a further tool to bring about a universal awareness and respect for human rights.

Overview of results:

• Since 2006, more than 1.6 billion people have viewed the Human Rights PSAs on 3,553 stations in 16 languages across 73 nations.
• The Human Rights World Tour has traveled 174,000 miles throughout 45 nations, reaching over 11 million people.
• Over 1.5 million human rights publications containing the Universal Declaration of Human Rights have been distributed to human rights groups, educators and individuals.
• Over 500,000 people have visited the United for Human Rights (www.humanrights.com) and Youth for Human Rights (www.youthforhumanrights.org) Internet sites in the last three years.
• More than 380,000 human rights information mailings have been sent to human rights groups and government agencies.
• More than 200,000 people have signed the Human Rights Petition urging governments to adopt reforms in human rights and to give the Universal Declaration of Human Rights the force of law.

^{"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.}

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Document Slum Conditions

Scientology Volunteer Ministers, Nick and Erin, traveled to Kolkata, India in an effort to make a difference.

Every year, 26 million children reach school age in India. With this, the problem of education in a severely overcrowded school system becomes even more unmanageable. Despite increased school enrollment, some estimate that as many as 50% of India’s children do not attend school. That’s more than 150 million kids.

Time to bring out the Volunteer Ministers! As Church of Scientology leader, David Miscavige, described the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program: “The final word, as regards our front-line work bringing our help wherever and whenever needed is our corps of Scientology Volunteer Ministers — on call, 24 hours a day in scores of nations.”

“Slumdog Millionaire opened our eyes to the horrible conditions in India. We decided to go there and volunteer in the slums and we funded it ourselves,” said Erin.

“We thought if we could bring help there to some of the children who had no formal education and no real hope in life, at least that would be doing something about it,” said Nick.

While in India, Nick and Erin documented their work in the slums to communicate an accurate view of living conditions in India. “We wanted to let people back home know what it’s REALLY like living here, and through raising awareness get more help to the people here, especially the children,” reflected Nick.

These two young Scientology Volunteer Ministers helped teach English and mathematics to the slum children. They used study technology developed by L. Ron Hubbard to helping the kids improve their learning.

“Mr. Hubbard discovered that the first barrier to study is not having the real thing there that you are studying about. The real things or the object that you study are called mass,” said Erin “So, for example, we made sure the kids had things they could actually count with, 5 little wooden blocks lets say that represented the number 5, so they didn’t have to do it all in their heads. They liked that!”

“Conditions here are the worst of the worst,” they wrote to their friends. “It’s been just a continual amazement to both of us that there have been such magical moments, and bright smiling faces in amongst everything else. With all that’s going on in the world it can be very easy to get wrapped up in one’s own problems,” they continued. “The truth is that there are so many people in need of help and with far worse conditions than most can possible imagine. We decided to turn our efforts toward others for a few months and make a difference.”

For more information on the Scientology Volunteer Ministers program visit their web site at www.volunteerministers.org or the Scientology Video Channel.

^{"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.}

Extinct Sense - washingtonpost.com

Today's editorial in the Washington Post really bothers me. I guess I'm not really shocked about the lack of ethics in the Bush administration. It's more that I don't understand why he hasn't been impeached.

Darfur

Here is a summary, courtesy of the Washinton Post of what is going on in Darfur:

Darfur-Sudan Conflict

THE REGION: Largely arid plateau in western Sudan about three-quarters the size of Texas with a population estimated at about 8 million.

HISTORY OF CONFLICT: Decades of low-level tribal clashes over land and water erupted into large-scale violence in early 2003 when some in the region took up arms, accusing the central government of neglect.

VICTIMS: Government authorities are accused of responding to the uprising with aerial bombings and Arab tribal militias known as Janjaweed, who murdered and raped civilians and destroyed villages. Khartoum officials deny backing Janjaweed.

SCOPE OF TRAGEDY: United Nations says Darfur fighting has caused one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters. Chaos has spread to neighboring Chad, where hundreds of thousands of Darfur refugees are sheltering. Estimates say 180,000 people have died, many from deprivation; about 2 million are displaced.

PEACE TALKS: The African Union has deployed peacekeepers to Darfur and sponsored two years of peace talks that resulted in a cease-fire.

Here's the frightening question. Could it really just be greed that carries this genocide forward?

Here is what Human Rights Watch has to say on that subject:

Human Rights Watch welcomes the Treasury Department’s proposed use of its regulatory authority to block dollar transfers by US commercial banks of oil payments to the Government of Sudan.

As has been extensively documented by Human Rights Watch and many other organizations and governments, including the United Nations and the US Department of State, the Sudanese government and government-backed militias are responsible for massive crimes against humanity and war crimes against civilians in Darfur. The Sudanese government’s abusive policies and actions in Darfur have resulted in the deaths of at least 200,000 people and have forcibly displaced more than two million Darfurians, who remain confined in displaced persons camps and who are unable to return home due to continuing attacks by government-backed militias and rampant insecurity.

It is entirely consistent with the purpose of Executive Orders Nos. 13067 and 13400 and their implementing regulations for the Treasury to prohibit any US bank from participating in commercial dealings with the Sudanese government, its leadership or their respective affiliates, including oil export firms in which they have an interest.

Human Rights Watch believes that the imposition of such blocking action by the Treasury is required now, not at some future date, in view of the Sudanese government’s persistent refusal to comply with the international community’s repeated requests—through the United Nations Security Council and through bilateral diplomacy—to immediately accept the full deployment of the proposed United Nations-African Union international peacekeeping force and to reverse its abusive policies in Darfur.

We therefore urge you to exercise your regulatory authority without delay to make clear to the Sudanese government that its continuing human rights violations in Darfur and its massive failure to protect Sudanese civilians will no longer be tolerated, and that it must immediately accept the international force, fully cooperate with all efforts to improve civilian protection in Darfur and end the violations.


Sincerely,

Peter Takirambudde
Executive Director, Africa Division
Human Rights Watch

"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.

Scientology Disaster Relief Training in Mumbai, India

I am really impressed with the work of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers in India. The kind of dedication that the VMs on these Goodwill Tours is pretty awsome.


"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.

Good Luck to the Dems

Senators aim to revise Iraq mission, reduce troops
Alertnet
Key U.S. Senate Democrats are preparing a proposal to start bringing U.S. combat troops home from Iraq by rewriting Congress' 2002 authorization for the war, which many now view as a mistake, aides said on Thursday. Undeterred by Senate Republicans who halted a non-binding resolution opposing President George W. Bush's troop buildup in Iraq, the Democrats are determined to challenge Bush anew by replacing the 2002 authorization of force in Iraq with a narrower mission statement for U.S. troops, the aides said.


"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.

Potter Problems

I read on the "Leaky Cauldren" today that Potter lovers will be faced with some tough choices come July, with Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix movie being released 8 days before Harry Potter 7. (Smart marketing, actually, as if it were the other way around, it would mean having to stay up all night for a week to finish the book in time to be done with it before the Movie came out.)

I sort of can't believe I'm blogging about Harry Potter!

"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.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are humanitarians in the true sense of the word because they deliver real help that works. This includes technology from the Scientology Handbook. Here is a page that has information on this. www.scientologyhandbook.org.

The Scientology Handbook has a wealth of information that anyone can use to improve relationships, communication, work, marriages, raising children and more. www.scientologyhandbook.org

Mr. David Miscavige is humanitarian whose scope is huge - effectively using the technology of Scientology to change conditions for the better throughout the world. Here is a page with information on this remarkable man. www.scientologytoday.org/bio

Scientology Volunteer Ministers

There is something pretty amazing about people who are oriented so thoroughly to helping people. Not for any personal reason - just to help them.

One reason the Scientology Volunteer Minsiters are so active in disasters is that they know they can help. It makes a world of difference, when you are confident in your abilities and you know how much better you can make it for someone in need of help.

Scientology Berlin

There's been a lot of talk about the new Church of Scientology of Berlin, I guess what I like best about it is the new public information panels. Anyone can just walk in and take their own time to find out what Scientology is really all about.

One of my favorite blogs described it this way:

Explained at a Scientology event by Mr. David Miscavige — Chairman of the Board of Religious Technology Center, which is the holder of the Scientology & Dianetics trademarks — this organization includes panels that literally let anyone walk in, touch a screen, and then by themselves — with no input from others or person trying to explain anything — get a full explanation of the various facets and practices of Scientology.

Mr. David Miscavige exemplifies a true humanitarian - driving forward actions that effectively help people on a factually worldwide scale. His dedication to this can be seen in an interview that was done on him by the St. Petersburg Times, which can be found at www.sptimes.com/TampaBay/102598/scientologypart1.html

David Miscavige going to Berlin?

Do you think David Miscavige will be attending the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of Berlin this weekend?

This is going to be such an exciting event!

Random Acts of Kindness

You know the fish story? The one about - if you give a person a fish it can feed him and his family for one day. But if you TEACH him to fish it can feed him, his family, friends and community for the rest of their lives?

That's why I put my volunteer time into Scientology project like the Scientology Volunteer Ministers -- because I know that by giving people tools to help themselves and their families I am really making a difference.

Kofi Annan Completes 10-Year Term as UN Secretery General

Annan's 10 years at the head of the UN are described in a story in the LA Times today, including:

"Annan, the son of a chieftain from Ghana, was christened 'Anthony' but was known by the name Kofi, which means 'born on Friday.' He joined the bottom ranks of the U.N. in 1962 and didn't plan to stay longer than four years, he said. But he quietly rose through the institution to head the peacekeeping department. In December 1996, the Clinton administration pushed him as its candidate to replace Boutros-Boutros Ghali, the outspoken Egyptian secretary-general it deemed a liability to U.S. interests.

"Annan was chosen because he was an African who knew the U.N. system, and had proved that he was pragmatic and effective and could work with the United States when he oversaw peacekeepers in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Haiti. But most important, he did not have a political agenda or an overweening ego that could put him in conflict with the U.S. By the end of Annan's decade, however, he grew to be a quiet but compelling challenger to Washington."

The article goes on to say:

"In 2002, President Bush challenged the Security Council to confront Iraq or stand aside, and while the U.S. attempted for six months to gain the U.N.'s stamp of legitimacy for its long-planned invasion, it ended up going into Iraq without it.

nnan cited the failure to stop the Iraq war as the worst moment of his career.

"'I really did everything I could to try to see if we could stop it,' he said, including desperate rounds of phone calls and meetings with every leader he could reach, with every proposal he could think of. In April 2003, weeks after the invasion began, Annan literally lost his voice.

"He seemed to lose his nerve as well, taking weeks off with what was described as 'a very bad cold,' but what aides described later as a sort of depression or 'paralysis of despair. ' He returned, somewhat diminished but determined to make the U.N. the kind of institution that the U.S., or any other country, would find indispensable.

"Washington went into Iraq without the U.N.'s blessing, but it also had to do without significant U.N. help in rebuilding the country, an essential piece of postwar planning that the administration had assumed the world body would take on. Annan did send a team of his best and brightest, including his close friend and diplomatic icon, Sergio Vieira de Mello. Another one of the most painful moments of his career came in August 2003, when the bombing of the U.N.'s headquarters in Baghdad killed 22 people — many of whom he had personally asked to go. De Mello was among those slain.

"Those deaths 'hit me as much as the loss of my twin sister,' Annan said this month. His sister, Efua, died in 1991 after an illness.">>>

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

Drug Abuse - Something Can Be Done About It

There are over 200 million drug abusers today-- each a human being who desperately needs help.

Law enforcement personnel know the relationship between drug addiction and crime.

I saw in a post on http://davidmiscavige.blogsource.com/ yesterday that in the 1960's when street drugs were becoming epidemic in the US, L. Ron Hubbard did a great deal of research into the effects of drugs on the mind and spirit.

Finding that taking drugs is detrimental to spiritual progress, and that the effects of having taken drugs continues to prevent spiritual gain even years after a person has ceased to take them, L. Ron Hubbard developed technology that overcomes the effects of having taken drugs.

It seems that an inmate at the Arizona State Prison found a book by L. Ron Hubbard called Scientology: The Fundamentals of Thought. Using what he learned from that book, this inmate cured himself of long term drug addiction, and wrote to Mr. Hubbard to ask his permission to use this technology to help other inmates salvage their lives. He called this program Narconon, meaning "no narcotics".

I can see that Narconon is an extraordinary program that not only gets addicts off drugs, but does it without substituting another drug for the one they were on, and helps the person come to grips with what the actual source of the addiction was -- why they started taking drugs in the first place.

It's interesting to see what parents of Narconon graduates have to say:

"On the 28th of April 2000, we attended our son's graduation ceremony at Narconon. Our son's graduation event will forever be etched in our memory, as a rebirth of our child. It had been so many years since we had seen him drug or alcohol-free that we actually had a hard time recognizing him. He looked absolutely wonderful and his behavior was so accepting and calm. For years, we had wondered if we would ever see our "real" son again. We met so many people the evening of our son's graduation and we cannot remember all of their names, but we want to thank each person who took the time and effort to make a difference in our son's life. Your efforts are most likely the reason our son developed the will to change, as all other efforts that had been made through the years had not made a difference for him. You are truly the savers of life! We will never forget your faces or the wonderful things you are doing. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Mr. David Miscavige Promotes Scientology Volunteer Ministers Good Will Tours

Last OctoberI remember hearing David Miscavige announce a brand new program to make Scientology applied religious philosophy available to people in countries where we have not had Scientology churches or missions in the past. The program is an expansion of the Scientology Volunteer Ministers (VM) program.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers are a grass roots movement, of people who help people, whether in their own community, or in disaster areas.

Now Scientology Volunteer Ministers are traveling to new countries, training new VMs and leaving behind people who can help one another with Scientology technology.

And now the plans David Miscavige announced are being done: there are goodwill tours now in Brazil, one in India, another just completed in Botswana and another in Latvia.

David Miscavige Presents IAS Freedom Medal Winners

Here's an interesting Freedom Magazine article I ran across the other day:

"Arresting the decline of drug proliferation was the first topic in Mr. David Miscavige‘s round-up of year number 19‘s accomplishments. It was, as well, the cause championed by the evening‘s first IAS Freedom Medal winners Michael Neilson and Åsa Graaf, leaders of a team of drug education specialists in Sweden who, in Mr. David Miscavige‘s words, are 'doing more to handle the drug problem than any other group on the planet.'

"Neilson and Graaf set out ten years ago to save Swedish children from a drug problem of epic proportions. In that time, they have not only salvaged an entire generation, they have created a nationwide movement for a drug-free tomorrow.

"The next Freedom Medal recipient, Bruce Wiseman of Los Angeles, is president of the Citizen‘s Commission on Human Rights International, a group founded by the Church of Scientology in 1969 to monitor and eradicate human rights abuses at the hands of the psychiatric industry. The Los Angeles businessman has, for 14 years, been exposing multi-billion dollar and multi-national psychiatric scams. He has brought to the American public and political consciousness the views of parents who, due to the proliferation of psychiatric drugging of school children, were once powerless in keeping their children drug-free. In returning the power of choice to the families, he has not only opened the eyes of a nation to psychiatry's greatest hoax — the unscientifically documented diagnoses by psychiatrists of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) — but also broke their spell over American education by spearheading resounding prohibitions of mandatory child-drugging in state and federal legislatures.

"Australian, Wendy Honnor, the third Freedom Medal recipient, is a Scientology Volunteer Minister working one-on-one with residents of all social strata in her native Tasmania.

"'Our final Freedom Medal Winner didn‘t just answer a call — she led a charge,' said David Miscavige in introducing Honnor, “In fact, her personal mission of bringing real help has given new meaning to that old phrase charity begins at home.'

"Ms. Honnor assists local leaders in communities throughout her island home state with the 19 technologies a Scientology Volunteer Minister is trained in. In so doing, she has helped to change the tune of media headlines from those that once trumpeted 'the land of gloom and doom' — marked by the nation‘s highest suicide rate and 10-year economic slump — to the upbeat of a state now enjoying a full social and economic resurgence."

Here is an excerpt from a web site called "L. Ron Hubbard - Tribute."

Mr. David Miscavige opened the annual celebration of L. Ron Hubbard’s birthday at Scientology’s spiritual mecca, the Flag Land Base in Clearwater, Florida, with news of the growing popularity of L. Ron Hubbard’s Dianetics and Scientology technologies. An excerpt of his speech can be read online here:

Opening Address In honor of L. Ron Hubbard’s Birthday 1994

Scientology Volunteer Ministers Asian Disaster Relief Team

There is still so much help needed in the tsunami areas of South Asia. Here is information on who to contact to support the effort as a volunteer or through donations:

Tom Cruise: Scientology Freedom Medal of Valor Award Winner

Last fall Mr.Tom Cruise was awarded the International Association of Scientologists Freedom Medal of Valor, which was presented to him by Mr. David Miscavige.

At the event there a summary of his humanitarian activities were presented. These included the following:

Tom Cruise is a founding board member of the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project (HELP) for which he earned the Excellence in Mentoring Award for Program Leadership. HELP's effectiveness is due to its use of L. Ron Hubbard's study technology.

He has been the driving force behind making L. Ron Hubbard detox technology available free-of-charge to 9/11 rescue workers in New York. He personally raised $1.2 million at an event he held, which enabled the New York Detox program to open a second office in Queens where many of the fire fighters live.

The world is in trouble with the scourge of drugs, criminality and war forcing millions to lead desperate lives. Yet solutions to these problems exist in Scientology and Tom Cruise has done a tremendous amount to make these solutions available and make them known.

Mr. David Miscavige Whirlwind Tour

In 2003 in the course of just about a month, Mr. Miscavige visited Scientology churches on 3 Continents and the British Isles. , with a special message to Scientologists. Just two years after his famous wake-up call following the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, members of Scientology churches around the world had responded, resulting in the greatest expansion in the history of our church.


Mr. Miscavige began with Johannesburg, South Africa -- his first visit to that country. There, he spoke at the grand opening of the Church of Scientology of Johannesburg in its greatly expanded premises, now capable of providing help to the community at a completely new level.

Next, he traveled to Buffalo for the grand opening of the church in that city.

His final visit was to San Francisco, California for their grand opening just before Thanksgiving.

I think the following story givens an accurate picture of the Buffalo grand opening.

SCIENTOLOGY OPENS NEW CHURCH WITH FANFARE

The Buffalo News

MARK SOMMER; News Staff Reporter

DATELINE: BUFFALO

"A large insignia engraved on a dramatic backdrop towered over a red-carpeted stage.

"In front rested a commanding wooden podium flanked by a TelePrompTer.

"Politicians and celebrities sat among rows of filled white seats....

"Meanwhile, hundreds of red, white and blue balloons waited to be released.

"One could have been forgiven for thinking Vice President Cheney was in Buffalo a day early. Instead, it was the grand opening of the Church of Scientology's restored building at the southwest corner of Main and Virginia streets.

"Despite a chilly, gray afternoon, a crowd estimated by organizers at 1,400 came out to hear outdoor speeches, get a tour of the restored 1893 building and celebrate Scientology's expanded presence in Buffalo.

"It is the latest chapter for a worldwide organization that has long been accused of being a cult rather than a religion.

"'What we have here in Buffalo are great people, great architecture, great opportunity, and I think this represents the best of the best here today,' said Mayor Anthony M. Masiello, who read aloud a proclamation that declared Church of Scientology Day in Buffalo.

"'Like so many of you, I've been looking forward to this moment for some time,' Masiello said.

"Other speakers, including David Miscavige, chairman of the Scientology-related Religious Technology Center, and Ellicott Council Member Brian Davis, praised the work of the church and its potential impact on ."

For more information about David Miscavige, there is a good page on the RTC web site.

Scientology Volunteer Ministers in Banda Aceh

There is great humanitarian work being done in the wake of the tsunami. There are thousands of stories to tell. Here’s one that I read, and which I’m passing on. It is from a young Buddhist man from Singapore who has just trained to be a Scientology Volunteer Minister and joined the relief effort in Banda Aceh:

“I am Nick Sim from Singapore and I am a Buddhist. This is my first trip to Banda Aceh together with the Scientology people. We are here to do volunteer work for the Indonesians who are affected by the tsunamis. This morning I went to the refugee camp. While doing an assist, I encouraged those standing behind to learn. The response was overwhelming. Many of the refugees were enthusiastic to be trained by me. After a while, they were doing assists for each other happily. I admire their spirit. Despite losing their houses and family members, they are still eager to learn the assists and care for each other. After every assist they will say “bagus,” which means GOOD in English.”

Scientology Volunteer Minister Nick Sim with children from Aceh