2023 saw the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office implementing its numerous outreach programs on drug prevention, safeguarding international religious freedom, common sense values, and protecting human rights. They pledged new expansion for 2024.
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Church of Scientology National Affairs Office
At a year ending celebration, the activities of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in 2023 were summarized. In order to motivate others to work together, they pledged to do more in 2024. Amongst other activities in 2023 that were featured were campaigns to help society.
Foundation for a Drug-Free World (DFW) brought drug education and seminars weekly to the community by sharing award winning videos and booklets at booths, youth events, seminars and on virtual events. Thalia Ghiglia, the DC Foundation’s faith liaison, regularly stressed in her speeches the dangers of fentanyl, how to identify it and what to do in case of suspected overdoses. She and her volunteers also attended several youth football camps focusing on the harms of drugs, how they reduce one’s reaction time and athletic performance. They participated in National Night Out events in all seven DC police districts as well as weekly Metropolitan Police Department Beat the Streets events during the summer. Thousands of community members benefited from over 40,000 DFW booklets, portfolios and videos.
An organization focusing on teaching human rights, the Youth for Human Rights DC Chapter held its Black History Month event “Expressions of Black History & Human Rights through Art” giving artists from around the world a platform to share their artwork focusing on human rights.
Joined by other human rights groups for the International Day of Peace, the Youth for Human Rights Walk for Human Rights from Lincoln Memorial raised awareness of the 75th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The chapter also co-sponsored an international conference on human trafficking held in Congress featuring politicians from the US and Mexico discussing cooperation between the countries to prevent trafficking and resources to assist survivors.
The National Affairs Office has been a major participant in the International Religious Freedom Roundtable for over 13 years and continued its international work joining advocates of all faiths to address the persecution of Christians, Muslims, and minority religious members who are imprisoned and even killed for their religious beliefs in foreign countries.
The Churches of Scientology Disaster Response (CSDR) national office in DC worked with its volunteers in responding to many disasters including Florida’s Idalia hurricane and the fires in Hawaii. CSDR also participated in the annual National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (NVOAD) conference strengthening their partnerships and demonstrating the work of Scientology volunteers.
The birthday of Scientology’s Founder, L. Ron Hubbard, was honored by focusing on the principles in The Way to Happiness book as used by those who are incarcerated as well as violence interrupter organizations.
Later in the year, marking the 11th Anniversary of the National Affairs Office, the staff celebrated by presenting humanitarian awards to Dr. Gail Holness, outreach coordinator of the faith based office of the DC Department of Behavioral Health; Regina Jefferson, director of the DC Department of Health’s Places of Worship Advisory Board; Yaay Me!, a program transforming youth and adults; and No Slide Zone, a group working to handle gun violence.
While 2023 was a busy year much still needs to be done. The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office Executive Director, Beth Akiyama, pledged to increase these efforts. Ms. Akiyama said, “There is a lot to do to improve human rights, drug education, and religious freedom in the US as well as around the world. We are pledging to expand and increase our efforts in 2024 and believe that working shoulder-to-shoulder with groups with similar goals that society can be improved.”
About Us: The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office represents the Church in the Nation's Capital and works with many organizations to improve human rights, criminal law reform, drug education, and religious freedom internationally.
Contact Info:
Name: Sylvia Stanard
Email: Send Email
Organization: Church of Scientology National Affairs Office
Address: 1701 20th St NW Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-667-6404
Website: http://www.scientology.org
Video URL: https://www.scientology.org/how-we-help/
Release ID: 89117826
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