Brussels, Belgium — Sixteen years after its dedication on Boulevard de Waterloo, the Church of Scientology in Brussels is being revisited 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.
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 public visits and community events, including interfaith interaction and civic education 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 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. 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.