BRUSSELS, Belgium — Marking 16 years since its 2010 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: Scientology’s presence in Belgium now spans 51 years.
The Brussels milestone is also framed within the city’s tradition of pluralism and public debate. In a place where European decisions are shaped and discussed, 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.
Alongside the anniversary, local Scientologists point to social reform and social betterment activities in Belgium, especially drug-prevention education and human-rights literacy initiatives. These efforts are presented as practical, non-religious educational tools used with community partners, including materials on eu news today uk 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: “Social cohesion grows when communities invest in practical education—on rights, responsibilities and prevention—without stigma or discrimination. Anniversaries matter, but what matters more is what a building enables: dialogue, service and respect for human dignity.” Full context and background can be read here: Brussels anniversary: Scientology notes 51 years in Belgium and social betterment efforts.