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Human Rights for Youth and Scientology’s Community Focus

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BRUSSELS, Belgium — 29 January 2026 — Human-rights education initiatives supported by the Church of Scientology through United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International continue to frame the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as an accessible, practical reference for everyday civic life—particularly for young people, educators and community-based organisations in increasingly diverse European societies.

United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights expand rights-literacy resources used by educators, civic groups and local partners across Europe

BRUSSELS, Belgium — 29 January 2026 — Human-rights education initiatives supported by the Church of Scientology through United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights International continue to frame the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as an accessible, practical reference for everyday civic life—particularly for young people, educators and community-based organisations in increasingly diverse European societies.

The approach centres on a straightforward premise: that rights are more likely to be respected when they are widely understood. The UDHR—adopted by the UN General Assembly in Paris on 10 December 1948—sets out 30 articles describing fundamental rights and freedoms and is among the most translated documents in the world.

Addressing a persistent “knowledge gap” about rights

Organisers involved in rights-education efforts frequently point to a challenge that is not limited to any one country: many people endorse the idea of “human rights” in principle, but have limited familiarity with what the UDHR actually says—how it defines non-discrimination, due process, freedom of thought and conscience, education, and other core protections.

On its European human-rights information pages, the Church of Scientology describes the decision to focus educational materials around the UDHR as a response to surveys indicating limited public awareness of the Declaration and its 30 rights. It also shows that multimedia materials used in the campaign reach large audiences annually, emphasising communication formats that can be used in classrooms, community settings and civic presentations.

Human-rights education as a concept is also rooted in the Declaration’s own framing: the UN’s human-rights office notes the UDHR’s emphasis on promoting respect for rights through “teaching and education.”

Two complementary programmes: United for Human Rights and Youth for Human Rights

United for Human Rights (UHR) states that it was founded on the 60th anniversary of the UDHR, with the goal of supporting individuals and organisations with educational tools intended to broaden awareness and encourage implementation of the rights described in the Declaration.

Youth for Human Rights International (YHRI) is a well known non-profit organisation founded in 2001 by educator Dr. Mary Shuttleworth, with a focus on teaching young people about the UDHR and encouraging a culture of tolerance and peace in their everyday environments.

Both programmes their work primarily as education and public information, using a consistent structure that maps learning modules and media resources to the UDHR’s 30 articles. The initiatives, proudly sponsored and supported by the Church of Scientology, are established as nonreligious organisations and the resources are used by a range of entities—from schools and civic groups to law-enforcement and governmental bodies—depending on national context and local partnerships.

A toolkit model: short films, PSAs and structured learning materials

A recurring feature of the campaigns is a “toolkit” approach: short, adaptable resources designed for different audiences and educational settings. The educational package includes a short documentary film (“The Story of Human Rights”), along with a series of public service announcements aligned to each UDHR right (“30 Rights, 30 Ads”).

The components and interactive websites host resources across 17 languages, allowing educators and organisers to use consistent content while adapting delivery to local needs and age groups.

While approaches vary by country and community, the practical objective is broadly the same: improving everyday understanding of what rights mean in real situations—at school, at work, in public services and in civic participation—so that rights language becomes clearer and less abstract.

The Church of Scientology’s involvement and L. Ron Hubbard’s emphasis on rights and dignity

The Church of Scientology’s involvement in human-rights education is part of a wider set of community and social-betterment initiatives focused on prevention and education. Its European human-rights page links the emphasis on rights awareness to the early writings of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, stating that spiritual freedom and enlightenment are difficult to attain for individuals denied fundamental human rights, and citing the Code of a Scientologist as calling on members to support humanitarian endeavours in the field of human rights.

The same published material presents this as a longstanding orientation: a rights-awareness effort organised through cooperation with a mix of governmental and non-governmental actors, using the UDHR as a shared reference point across cultures and belief systems.

Rights literacy as a European civic skill

Ivan Arjona-Pelado, Scientology’s representative to the European Union, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the United Nations, framed the programmes’ emphasis on education as aligned with European civic expectations:

“Human rights are not strengthened only by legal texts; they are strengthened when people can recognise them, explain them, and apply them in daily interactions—especially in schools and neighbourhoods where diversity is a lived reality. Europe’s democratic culture benefits when young people learn the UDHR’s principles early and see respect, equality and non-discrimination as practical responsibilities.”

The focus going into 2026 is on ensuring materials remain available and usable in real-world educational contexts—clear language, short formats, and modular content that supports lesson plans and community discussions without requiring specialist legal knowledge. In practice, this typically translates into training sessions for educators and youth workers, informational workshops in community settings, and partnerships with civil-society organisations whose work intersects with youth inclusion, anti-bullying, equal treatment and intercultural dialogue.

The Church of Scientology, its churches, missions, groups and members are present across the European continent. Scientology Europe reports a continent-wide presence through more than 140 churches, missions and affiliated groups in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social betterment and reform initiatives focused on education, prevention and neighbourhood-level support, inspired by the work of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

Within Europe’s diverse national frameworks for religion, the Church’s recognitions continue to expand, with administrative and judicial authorities in Spain, Portugal, Sweden, the Netherlands, Italy, Germany Slovakia and others, as well as the European Court of Human Rights, having addressed and acknowledged Scientology communities as protected by the national and international provisions of Freedom of Religion or belief.

Media Contact

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

Contact Person: Ivan Arjona

Website: https://www.scientologyeurope.org

Email: Send Email

Address:Boulevard de Waterloo 103

City: Brussels

State: Brussels

Country:Belgium

Release id:40749

The post Human Rights for Youth and Scientology’s Community Focus appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

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Press Release

AI Meets Arabic Literature: Qirtas App Unveils Scalable Publishing Infrastructure at Web Summit Qatar 2026

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Doha, Qatar, 19th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Qirtas App, a dual-interface digital platform headquartered in Istanbul and Malmo, announced its mission to bridge the global gap in Arabic literature accessibility following its successful showcase in the Alpha Startup category at Web Summit Qatar. By integrating cutting-edge AI production tools with a seamless streaming interface, Qirtas is providing the technical infrastructure needed to digitize the fragmented $4 billion Arab publishing market.

Despite a global population of 430 million Arabic speakers, the publishing industry has long been hampered by prohibitive shipping costs, high piracy rates, and a lack of digital infrastructure. Qirtas App addresses these systemic barriers through a twofold solution: a freemium streaming platform for readers and a sophisticated digital management backend for publishers.

Empowering Publishers through the “AI Production Suite”

Qirtas is not merely a distributor; it is a catalyst for digital transformation. For traditional publishers, the platform offers a dedicated portal to convert physical catalogs into secure, monetizable digital assets.

AI-Automated Production: The platform utilizes proprietary AI to automatically generate high-quality audiobooks and smart summaries, drastically reducing the time and cost barriers that previously prevented publishers from entering the digital space.

Institutional Security: With advanced Digital Rights Management (DRM) and real-time reader analytics, publishers maintain full control over their intellectual property while gaining unprecedented insights into global consumption patterns.

The Future of the Arab Reading Experience

For the global Arab diaspora, Qirtas offers a comprehensive streaming library featuring Qirtas AI, an interactive reading assistant that provides instant translation, text-to-speech narration, and social integration.

“The Arab publishing world is rich in content but starved of modern distribution,” said Tamer Odeh, CEO of Qirtas App. “With Qirtas, we are removing the friction. We aren’t just giving readers an app; we are giving publishers the tools to survive and thrive in a digital-first economy.”

Alaa Barghouth, COO of Qirtas App, added: “Our participation in Web Summit Qatar has confirmed the massive appetite for this technology. We have already secured commitments from major publishing houses ready to onboard their catalogs. We are now focused on scaling our infrastructure to meet this demand.”

Market Opportunity & Investment

The digital publishing segment in the MENA region is currently valued at $400 million and is experiencing rapid year-over-year growth. Having validated its model with early industry commitments, Qirtas App is currently open for pre-seed investment to accelerate its market launch and expand its AI-driven production capabilities.

For more information or to inquire about partnership opportunities, visit qirtasapp.com.

About Qirtas App

Qirtas is a Swedish-Turkish “Deep-Tech” publishing platform dedicated to revitalizing Arabic literature. By combining AI-powered content production with a global streaming model, Qirtas connects 430 million Arabic speakers with the books they love, while providing publishers with the tools to digitize and protect their heritage.

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Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

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Press Release

BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet

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The BTCD Foundation has announced the upcoming deployment of its proprietary Layer 1 blockchain infrastructure. This development marks the introduction of a new technical framework designed to support decentralized applications and secure digital transactions. The Foundation has confirmed that the Public Testnet is scheduled to open for user participation on February 15, 2026.

Technical Architecture and Infrastructure

The BTCD platform is engineered as an independent Layer 1 blockchain, distinct from token-based projects that rely on existing third-party networks. The core infrastructure utilizes a hybrid consensus mechanism combining Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) and Proof of Stake (PoS) protocols.

This architectural design is intended to address common scalability challenges in blockchain technology. The technical specifications indicate a capacity for high-volume throughput, with initial testing targeting transaction speeds of over 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) while maintaining sub-second finality. The system is built to operate autonomously, providing a decentralized foundation for developers and users.

Testnet Deployment and Minting Mechanism

Beginning February 15, 2026, the BTCD Foundation will initiate the Public Testnet phase. This phase allows users to interact with the network’s minting protocol to test system stability and performance.

The minting process follows a programmed algorithmic schedule designed to test the network’s long-term sustainability over a projected 25-year timeline. The protocol includes technical halving events scheduled every 2.5 years to regulate the issuance rate of digital assets on the network.

Transition to Mainnet

The Testnet phase is a precursor to the official Mainnet launch, which is currently scheduled for May 15, 2026. The Foundation has outlined a technical migration plan wherein digital assets minted during the Testnet phase will be recognized on the Mainnet system upon its activation.

Ecosystem Development Roadmap

Following the Mainnet launch, the BTCD Foundation plans to deploy a suite of decentralized applications (dApps) integrated directly into the Layer 1 core. The technical roadmap outlines the phased release of nine specific utilities, including:

  • Nexora: A decentralized communication protocol.
  • Guardian DEX: A decentralized exchange interface.
  • WealthBook: A social networking platform integrated with blockchain identity verification.

    Future updates scheduled for later in 2026 involve the integration of automated trading algorithms and asset management utilities.

About BTCD Foundation

The BTCD Foundation is a technology organization focused on the development of Layer 1 blockchain solutions. It aims to build a scalable, secure, and decentralized infrastructure to support the next generation of digital applications.

Testnet Access: http://btcd.foundation

Community Hub: https://t.me/btcdfoundation1

Media Contact

Organization: BTCD FOUNDATION

Contact Person: Mr. Alex – CEO

Website: https://btcd.foundation

Email: Send Email

Country:Panama

Release id:41440

The post BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

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About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

Press Release

BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet

Published

on

The BTCD Foundation has announced the upcoming deployment of its proprietary Layer 1 blockchain infrastructure. This development marks the introduction of a new technical framework designed to support decentralized applications and secure digital transactions. The Foundation has confirmed that the Public Testnet is scheduled to open for user participation on February 15, 2026.

Technical Architecture and Infrastructure

The BTCD platform is engineered as an independent Layer 1 blockchain, distinct from token-based projects that rely on existing third-party networks. The core infrastructure utilizes a hybrid consensus mechanism combining Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) and Proof of Stake (PoS) protocols.

This architectural design is intended to address common scalability challenges in blockchain technology. The technical specifications indicate a capacity for high-volume throughput, with initial testing targeting transaction speeds of over 10,000 transactions per second (TPS) while maintaining sub-second finality. The system is built to operate autonomously, providing a decentralized foundation for developers and users.

Testnet Deployment and Minting Mechanism

Beginning February 15, 2026, the BTCD Foundation will initiate the Public Testnet phase. This phase allows users to interact with the network’s minting protocol to test system stability and performance.

The minting process follows a programmed algorithmic schedule designed to test the network’s long-term sustainability over a projected 25-year timeline. The protocol includes technical halving events scheduled every 2.5 years to regulate the issuance rate of digital assets on the network.

Transition to Mainnet

The Testnet phase is a precursor to the official Mainnet launch, which is currently scheduled for May 15, 2026. The Foundation has outlined a technical migration plan wherein digital assets minted during the Testnet phase will be recognized on the Mainnet system upon its activation.

Ecosystem Development Roadmap

Following the Mainnet launch, the BTCD Foundation plans to deploy a suite of decentralized applications (dApps) integrated directly into the Layer 1 core. The technical roadmap outlines the phased release of nine specific utilities, including:

  • Nexora: A decentralized communication protocol.
  • Guardian DEX: A decentralized exchange interface.
  • WealthBook: A social networking platform integrated with blockchain identity verification.

    Future updates scheduled for later in 2026 involve the integration of automated trading algorithms and asset management utilities.

About BTCD Foundation

The BTCD Foundation is a technology organization focused on the development of Layer 1 blockchain solutions. It aims to build a scalable, secure, and decentralized infrastructure to support the next generation of digital applications.

Testnet Access: http://btcd.foundation

Community Hub: https://t.me/btcdfoundation1

Media Contact

Organization: BTCD FOUNDATION

Contact Person: Mr. Alex – CEO

Website: https://btcd.foundation

Email: Send Email

Country:Panama

Release id:41440

The post BTCD Foundation Launches Layer 1 Blockchain Infrastructure and Opens Public Testnet appeared first on King Newswire. This content is provided by a third-party source.. King Newswire makes no warranties or representations in connection with it. King Newswire is a press release distribution agency and does not endorse or verify the claims made in this release. If you have any complaints or copyright concerns related to this article, please contact the company listed in the ‘Media Contact’ section

file

About Author

Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Digi Observer journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.

Continue Reading

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