BRUSSELS, Belgium — Marking 16 years since its 2010 drug prevention opening on Boulevard de Waterloo, the Church of Scientology in Brussels is being noted anew as a distinctive site in the capital of Europe. While the building’s anniversary highlights the past 16 years, representatives underline a broader timeline: Belgium’s Scientology community marks 51 years of presence in the country.
In Brussels, the anniversary is tied to a wider message about coexistence and civic life. In a city where European policy is drafted and negotiated, the Church says its doors remain open for community engagement, including interfaith interaction and civic dialogue. The story is also linked to a long legal process that ended with charges being dismissed in court, a moment supporters describe as reinforcing the principle that religious minorities deserve equal treatment and due process.
Beyond the anniversary, Scientologists in Belgium highlight ongoing social betterment work, especially drug awareness and prevention programmes and human-rights literacy initiatives. These efforts are presented as secular resources for families, educators and local partners, including materials on substance risks and workshops that reference the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Ivan Arjona, Scientology’s representative to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and United Nations, said: “Europe’s values are strengthened when citizens and institutions share responsibility for education and prevention. A building’s anniversary is meaningful when it reflects daily civic contribution—dialogue, service and respect for human dignity.” More details are available here: Brussels anniversary: Scientology notes 51 years in Belgium and social betterment efforts.