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.

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

Footsteps along lantern-lit paths, the sound of drums and Highland pipes and a marquee filled with international flags set the tone for a weekend that combined ceremony, reflection and forward planning. Inside the Grand Marquee, Mr. David Miscavige, ecclesiastical leader of the Scientology religion, opened the event with a review of the IAS’s origins and its expansion 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 told attendees, describing the association’s purpose of supporting the Aims of Scientology for communities worldwide.

Humanitarian Initiatives Across Continents

The evening highlighted IAS-supported humanitarian campaigns whose work has reached diverse environments over the last 12 months. These initiatives are based on educational materials and community programmes developed by L. Ron Hubbard and implemented by volunteers, educators and civic partners.

Foundation for a Drug-Free World reported another year of extensive global outreach. Volunteers distributed millions of Truth About Drugs booklets at public venues, transport hubs and major sporting events including the FIFA Club World Cup and the Super Bowl. Across 2,700 events in 150 nations, materials were passed hand to hand as part of an effort to increase factual awareness of the effects of drugs.

In Guatemala, the campaign continued its cooperation with national authorities. 1,900 personnel across the country’s drug-prevention network received training, culminating in a televised graduation held at the Presidential Palace. Outreach across all 22 provinces reached 145,000 people, contributing to a 48 percent drop in drug use nationwide, according to the figures presented at the event.

United for Human Rights was showcased for its work with refugee and migrant communities. In Australia, an orphaned member of the Hazara community used the campaign’s materials to initiate a grassroots human rights movement across 47 cities, towns and communities, reaching some 200,000 people and contributing to a 30 percent reduction in discrimination within the communities involved.

The Way to Happiness, L. Ron Hubbard’s nonreligious moral code of 21 precepts, was highlighted for its use in rehabilitation settings. At the largest prison in the Southern Philippines, nearly 4,000 inmates participated in a programme based on the book’s precepts. According to the data presented, this contributed to a 67 percent drop in prisoner violations, leading to a partnership to extend the programme across the national prison system.

Volunteer Ministers Respond to Emergencies Worldwide

The Scientology Volunteer Ministers (VMs) were also central to the weekend’s presentations. Over the past year, VM teams assisted 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 mobilisation recorded on American soil saw around 2,500 Volunteer Ministers supporting response efforts during historic wildfires in Los Angeles. According to the figures presented, flames burned an area described as twice the size of Paris, prompting widespread evacuations. VMs provided assistance to nearly 10,000 residents in a single day, and more than 100,000 people overall, supporting logistics, supplies and spiritual aid alongside more than 70 emergency response agencies.

Globally, VM Cavalcades—mobile teams delivering seminars and practical skills—travelled nearly half a million miles, training approximately a quarter of a million individuals.

Recognising Extraordinary Individual Contributions

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

Diane Stein — Legislative Transparency and Parental Engagement to protect children

One of this year’s Freedom Medal recipients, Diane Stein of Clearwater, Florida, was recognised for her long-standing work examining the regulatory and procedural aspects of mental-health interventions involving minors. As president of a civil-society organisation focused on oversight and legislative transparency in this field, she drew attention to state data indicating that approximately 30,000 children per year were being admitted for psychiatric evaluation without prior parental consultation.

Working with parents, educators and community advocates, she supported initiatives that led to a Parents’ Bill of Rights, reinforcing parental involvement in decisions affecting a child’s well-being. Her work coincided with the establishment of the first Parental Rights Office in the United States and supported 39 legislative measures across several states aimed at improving procedural clarity and ensuring families are better informed when health-related decisions involve minors.

Darren Tessitore — Drug Education for Youth

Darren Tessitore, from Boston, Massachusetts, was honoured for his nationwide work using drug-education materials to address teen impaired driving. After losing a friend in a drug-related accident, he dedicated himself to outreach through regional drivers-education programmes. He later collaborated with National School Police and the Police Athletic and Activities League (PAL). Through these efforts, he distributed over 4 million booklets and ensured that 5.5 million students received educational materials, a contribution associated with a 52 percent decrease in teens driving under the influence.

Nancy Cartwright — Education, Ethics and Community Renewal

Nancy Cartwright, an Emmy-winning voice actor from Los Angeles (most famous for being the voice of Bart Simpson, was recognised for her work promoting literacy, ethics and community resilience. She helped introduce Study Technology to 250,000 learners, expanded awareness of The Way to Happiness to 6 million individuals, and contributed to reduced crime rates in her community. As founder of the Know More About Drugs Alliance, she initiated a public information campaign, placing 300 billboards and bus shelters across the city. Altogether, her work has reached an estimated 86 million people worldwide.

Reflections from a European Perspective

For many European attendees, the IAS Anniversary Weekend provided an opportunity to consider the role that civic engagement and educational initiatives play in supporting social cohesion.

Ivan Arjona, representative of the Church of Scientology to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and United Nations, reflected on the alignment between these activities and European values:

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

A Weekend of Planning, Recognition and Community Support

Following the opening celebration, delegates attended the IAS Global Salvage Seminar, where expansion strategies for IAS-supported programmes were outlined. The seminar focused on strengthening community partnerships and preparing for the upcoming year’s humanitarian efforts.

Saturday evening’s IAS Patrons Ball transformed the Grand Marquee into a formal ballroom for a black-tie event honouring members who have advanced humanitarian work across six continents. Grammy Award–winner Mark Isham and an ensemble of performers provided musical accompaniment.

The weekend concluded on Sunday with the 25th Annual Saint Hill Charity Concert, attended by around 1,500 local residents and dignitaries. Continuing a tradition established by L. Ron Hubbard, five local charities received support to strengthen and expand their programmes serving the community.

About the International Association of Scientologists

Formed in 1984, the IAS is the official membership organisation 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.

Media Contact

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

Contact Person: Ivan Arjona

Website: https://www.scientologyeurope.org

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Address:Boulevard de Waterloo 103

City: Brussels

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Country:Belgium

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