IAS Anniversary Weekend in East Grinstead Marks a Year of Global Humanitarian Action

The IAS Anniversary Weekend in East Grinstead reviewed global humanitarian initiatives, volunteer efforts and community programmes active across the world.

Global IAS Anniversary Celebration

EAST GRINSTEAD, UNITED KINGDOM — Members of the International Association of Scientologists (IAS) gathered during the weekend of October 31st 2025 at Saint Hill, East Grinstead, to mark a year of global outreach and humanitarian work. The annual IAS Anniversary Weekend brought participants from six continents to the historic home of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. The event continued a tradition started in 1984, when the IAS was formed at Saint Hill.

Lantern-lit paths, Highland pipes, drums and a marquee filled with international flags set the tone for a weekend of ceremony, reflection and planning. Inside the Grand Marquee, Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, opened the event. He reviewed the IAS’s origins and highlighted its growth from Scientology’s presence in 39 nations in 1984 to members from 191 nations today.

“Tonight, that spirit of the IAS is ever-present, ever-embracive and alive forevermore,” he said. He emphasized the association’s purpose of supporting the Aims of Scientology in communities worldwide.

Humanitarian Initiatives Across Continents

The evening highlighted IAS-supported campaigns that reached diverse environments over the past 12 months. These initiatives draw on educational materials and community programmes created by L. Ron Hubbard. Volunteers, educators and civic partners helped deliver them across many regions.

The Foundation for a Drug-Free World reported another year of broad outreach. Volunteers distributed millions of Truth About Drugs booklets at public venues, transport hubs and major sporting events such as the FIFA Club World Cup and the Super Bowl. Across 2,700 events in 150 nations, volunteers handed out materials to raise awareness about the effects of drugs.

In Guatemala, the campaign continued its cooperation with national authorities. A total of 1,900 personnel in the country’s drug-prevention network received training. The programme concluded with a televised graduation at the Presidential Palace. Outreach across all 22 provinces reached 145,000 people. As presented at the event, national figures showed a 48 percent drop in drug use.

United for Human Rights was also featured for its work with refugee and migrant communities. In Australia, an orphaned member of the Hazara community used campaign materials to start a grassroots human rights movement. It spread across 47 cities, towns and communities and reached around 200,000 people. According to the data shared, the effort contributed to a 30 percent drop in discrimination in these communities.

The Way to Happiness, L. Ron Hubbard’s moral code of 21 precepts, gained attention for its role in rehabilitation settings. At the largest prison in the Southern Philippines, nearly 4,000 inmates took part in a programme based on the book. As reported, the effort contributed to a 67 percent drop in prisoner violations. It also led to a partnership to expand the programme throughout the national prison system.

Volunteer Ministers Respond to Emergencies Worldwide

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers (VMs) played a major role in the weekend’s presentations. Over the past year, VM teams supported communities affected by floods in Spain, heavy rains in Kenya, a 7.1 earthquake in Nepal, dual cyclones in Madagascar, an offshore earthquake in Ecuador and flash floods in Texas.

In the United States, the largest VM mobilization on American soil assisted response efforts during historic wildfires in Los Angeles. Flames burned an area described as twice the size of Paris. Widespread evacuations followed. VMs helped nearly 10,000 residents in a single day and more than 100,000 people overall. They supported logistics, supplies and spiritual aid alongside over 70 emergency response agencies.

Globally, VM Cavalcades travelled nearly half a million miles and trained about a quarter of a million people.

Recognizing Extraordinary Individual Contributions

Three IAS Freedom Medal recipients were honoured for their work in civic engagement, education and community resilience.

Diane Stein on Child Protection

Diane Stein of Clearwater, Florida, received recognition for her long-standing efforts to examine the regulatory processes governing mental-health interventions for minors. As president of a civil-society organization focused on oversight and legislative transparency, she highlighted state data showing that around 30,000 children per year entered psychiatric evaluation without prior parental consultation.

Working with parents, educators and advocates, she supported initiatives that led to a Parents’ Bill of Rights. The effort strengthened parental involvement in decisions that affect a child’s well-being. Her work also aligned with the creation of the first Parental Rights Office in the United States and supported 39 legislative measures designed to improve procedural clarity and ensure families remain informed.

Darren Tessitore — Drug Education for Youth

Darren Tessitore of Boston, Massachusetts, was honoured for his nationwide work in drug education aimed at reducing teen impaired driving. After losing a friend in a drug-related accident, he dedicated himself to outreach through regional drivers-education programmes. He later partnered with National School Police and the Police Athletic and Activities League (PAL). Through these initiatives, he distributed over 4 million booklets and ensured that 5.5 million students received educational materials. According to the figures presented, this contributed to a 52 percent drop in teens driving under the influence.

Nancy Cartwright on Community Renewal

Nancy Cartwright, an Emmy-winning voice actor from Los Angeles, received recognition for her work promoting literacy, ethics and community resilience. She helped introduce Study Technology to 250,000 learners and expanded awareness of The Way to Happiness to 6 million individuals. She also contributed to reduced crime rates in her community. As founder of the Know More About Drugs Alliance, she launched a major public information campaign that placed 300 billboards and bus shelters across Los Angeles. Altogether, her work reached an estimated 86 million people.

Reflections from a European Perspective

For many European attendees, the IAS Anniversary Weekend offered a moment to reflect on the value of civic engagement and educational programmes in strengthening social cohesion.

Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and United Nations, commented on how these initiatives align with European values.

“The IAS Anniversary showcases humanitarian work that becomes tangible—drug education, human rights awareness, ethical empowerment and community mobilization,” Arjona said. “These initiatives rest on principles that resonate across Europe: dignity, responsibility and the protection of fundamental rights. We maintain a network of more than one thousand religious, community and social betterment groups active in over 27 European countries.”

Weekend of Planning and Service

After the opening celebration, delegates attended the IAS Global Salvage Seminar. The seminar outlined expansion strategies for IAS-supported programmes. It also focused on strengthening community partnerships and preparing for the next year of humanitarian work.

On Saturday evening, the IAS Patrons Ball transformed the Grand Marquee into an elegant ballroom. The black-tie event Honoured members who advanced humanitarian work across six continents. Grammy Award–winner Mark Isham and an ensemble of performers provided musical entertainment.

The weekend ended on Sunday with the 25th Annual Saint Hill Charity Concert. Around 1,500 local residents and dignitaries attended. Continuing a tradition started by L. Ron Hubbard, five local charities received support to expand their community services.

About the International Association

Formed in 1984, the IAS is the official membership organization of Scientology, open to Scientologists worldwide. Its purpose is to unite, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists, thereby contributing to the achievement of the Aims of Scientology as set out by L. Ron Hubbard: “A civilization without insanity, without criminals and without war, where the able can prosper and honest beings can have rights, and where Man is free to rise to greater heights.”

The Church of Scientology, its missions, groups and members are present throughout the European continent, with activities dedicated to education, prevention and community betterment. Recognition of Scientology as a charitable and bona fide religion continues to expand across Europe, reflecting a long-term commitment to strengthening communities and supporting human dignity.

Company Details

Organization: European Office Church of Scientology for Public Affairs and Human Rights

Contact Person: Ivan Arjona

Website: https://www.scientologyeurope.org

Email: Send Email

Address: Boulevard de Waterloo 103

City: Brussels

State: Brussels

Country: Belgium

Release Id: 27112537933