Press Release
Brussels Anniversary of Scientology Notes 51 Years in Belgium and Social Betterment Efforts
Brussels Scientology Church marks 16 years at Boulevard de Waterloo as Belgian presence passes five decadesDestination: Scientology revisits the Brussels European headquarters site, linking cultural heritage, community access and a landmark 2016 court ruling on freedom of religion
BRUSSELS, Belgium — 5 February 2026 — The Churches of Scientology for Europe in Brussels is marking 16 years since the dedication of its Boulevard de Waterloo headquarters, while noting that Scientology’s presence in Belgium now spans more than five decades. The anniversary follows renewed attention generated by the Destination: Scientology episode on Brussels and a related feature published by Freedom Magazine, which frames the building as a local landmark and revisits the long legal proceedings that ended with the dismissal of all charges against the Belgian Church and affiliated defendants.
The Brussels site—dedicated on 23 January 2010—occupies an early 20th-century building on Boulevard de Waterloo 100–103 and is described as an 88,000-square-foot facility serving both local parishioners and visitors from across Europe. The premises include a chapel for congregational gatherings and ceremonies, rooms for religious training and pastoral counselling, and a public information space presenting Scientology beliefs and practices and the life and works of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, alongside information on Church-supported social betterment programmes.
While the Brussels headquarters dates to 2010, Belgium’s national timeline extends further back. Public registry information lists the Église de Scientologie de Belgique (ASBL) as founded in 1974—placing Scientology’s organised presence in the country at more than 51 years. Church representatives say the Brussels building has become a focal point for activity in a city where diverse communities and European institutions share the same streets, and where questions of pluralism and freedom of religion or belief are regularly debated in civic and policy settings.
Scientology Network Brussels episode of Destination: Scientology presents the site through the lens of the capital’s multilingual culture and its reputation for compromise, spotlighting community events and interfaith engagement as part of the Church’s daily rhythm. The programme includes on-camera reflections on dialogue and social cohesion, with one staff member describing a goal to “unite people” through better communication and understanding—an emphasis echoed in the Freedom Magazine account of the episode’s theme of “unity while still being diverse.”
A personal narrative featured in the programme describes how applying Scientology communication principles affected a Belgian entrepreneur’s workplace and relationships—an example used in the episode to illustrate how Scientologists describe their religious practice in everyday life. Such testimonials appear alongside broader context: the programme and related coverage revisit a long period in which the Belgian Church faced scrutiny and criminal allegations—an episode that became, in the programme’s telling, a defining test of Belgium’s commitments to due process and equal treatment of minority faiths.
The legal proceedings culminated on 11 March 2016, when a Brussels court dismissed the case and rejected all charges against the Church’s Belgian branch, its European headquarters and individual defendants. Contemporary reporting by outlets noted that the court found serious issues affecting the fairness of the proceedings. For Scientology representatives, the decision is cited as reaffirming a basic democratic principle: that people should not be prosecuted merely because of their religion.
Ivan Arjona, Scientology’s representative to the European Union, OSCE, Council of Europe and United Nations, said the Brussels anniversary is also a reminder of how European values are tested in practice—especially when minority communities face pressure.
“Brussels is where Europe’s institutions speak most often about rights, pluralism and non-discrimination,” Arjona said. “Those principles become meaningful when they are applied consistently to everyone—including minorities. A community building is not just bricks and mortar; it is a visible commitment to dialogue, civic responsibility and due process, the foundations of social cohesion in a diverse Europe.”
In Belgium, the Brussels Church and local Scientologists show their community engagement extending beyond religious services into social reform and social betterment work delivered through secular educational initiatives—notably drug-prevention outreach and human-rights education. These activities are part of a wider approach encouraged by Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard, emphasising practical tools, public information resources and cooperation with local partners, educators and civic groups.
On drug prevention, Belgian initiatives linked to the Foundation for a Drug-Free World and local partners have focused on distributing and explaining “Truth About Drugs” materials in public settings and community events. Recent examples described in programme coverage include outreach in Brussels at the Percusounds Festival in August 2023, where organisers said the priority was equipping young people, parents and teachers with factual information about substances and their risks. Other activities include nationwide visibility actions such as a “10 Days to Say No to Drugs” tour timed around the UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, and Belgium-wide bike tours associated with Julie Delvaux, presented in Voices for Humanity as a sustained effort to bring prevention materials to communities across the country.
On human-rights education, Brussels-based work connected to Youth for Human Rights programming has been framed around making the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) understandable and usable in everyday civic life—through workshops, public presentations and multimedia public-service announcements illustrating specific UDHR articles. Brussels has also served as a venue for youth-focused rights programming, including the International Human Rights Summit held in the city in 2012, and community forums such as the Brussels open-house events promoting tolerance and inclusion, where Youth for Human Rights representatives presented UDHR-focused materials. Arjona linked this approach to Europe’s emphasis on democratic resilience: “Rights are protected most effectively when they are understood in practical terms—by students, families and local communities—and when institutions and citizens share the responsibility of making human dignity a daily reality.”
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, and missions and communities in at least 27 European nations, alongside thousands of community-based social 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:41049
The post Brussels Anniversary of Scientology Notes 51 Years in Belgium and Social Betterment Efforts 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
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.
Press Release
Just Like Mona Lisa Confirmed Anime Adaptation, Teaser Visual and Illustration Revealed
Special Panel Stage Confirmed for AnimagiC 2026 Featuring the World Premiere of the Main Cast and The First Trailer
An anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa (Original Title: Seibetsu “Mona Lisa” no Kimi e), the project previously unveiled under the codename “Project M,” has officially been announced, with the teaser visual released alongside the announcement. The upcoming series is set to portray the story’s sensitive emotions and vivid world through expressive new animation.
Furthermore, to commemorate this milestone, author Tsumuji Yoshimura, has shared an exclusive newly drawn celebratory illustration alongside an official comment.
Introduction to Just Like Mona Lisa
What if everyone were born genderless, who would you fall in love with? The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa by Tsumuji Yoshimura, a series that has surpassed a cumulative 1 million copies sold, is finally here.
Hinase, the main character who continues to live genderless. Childhood friends Ritsu and Shiori, who have already chosen theirs. What is “love”? What does it mean to have something you want to cherish above all else? Their classmates and the adults around them struggle and hesitate alongside them, weaving the story together. What choice will Hinase make? A breathtaking triangle of first love and youth, now brought to life in beautiful animation by SHAFT, one of Japan’s leading animation studios.
・Official Website: https://monalisa-anime.com
・Official X: @anime_mona_lisa (https://x.com/anime_mona_lisa）
Special Comment & Illustration from Author Tsumuji Yoshimura
Story
In a world where everyone is born genderless. Their bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach around twelve years old. Yet Hinase alone had not changed at all and had now reached the age of eighteen. Arima Hinase, a third-year high school student, carries the quiet unease of being the only one around them genderless, yet simply spends unchanged days with childhood friends Ritsu Kaga and Shiori Takayama, and that alone had been enough. Then one day, when Ritsu and Shiori confess their feelings towards Hinease, their everyday life begins to change. “Something is about to change. Their eighteenth spring has arrived.”
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Staff
– Original Story: Tsumuji Yoshimura’s “Just Like Mona Lisa” (Published by Square Enix “Gangan Comics ONLINE”)
– Animation Production: SHAFT Inc.
Original Manga Information
・Publisher: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
・Author: Tsumuji Yoshimura
・Volumes: Volumes 1–8, along with spin-off volumes “X” and “Y,” totaling 10 volumes now available.
Media & Press Inquiries
CyberAgent, Inc. Corporate Communications / PR Team: Mika
Media Contact
Organization: CyberAgent, Inc.
Contact Person: CyberAgent, Inc. Press Contact
Website: https://caanime.cyberagent.co.jp/en/
Email: Send Email
Address:40-1 Udagawacho, Abema Towers, Shibuya City, Tokyo
City: Tokyo
Country:Japan
Release id:46191
The post Just Like Mona Lisa Confirmed Anime Adaptation, Teaser Visual and Illustration Revealed 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
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.
Press Release
Just Like Mona Lisa Confirmed Anime Adaptation, Teaser Visual and Illustration Revealed
Special Panel Stage Confirmed for AnimagiC 2026 Featuring the World Premiere of the Main Cast and The First Trailer
An anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa (Original Title: Seibetsu “Mona Lisa” no Kimi e), the project previously unveiled under the codename “Project M,” has officially been announced, with the teaser visual released alongside the announcement. The upcoming series is set to portray the story’s sensitive emotions and vivid world through expressive new animation.
Furthermore, to commemorate this milestone, author Tsumuji Yoshimura, has shared an exclusive newly drawn celebratory illustration alongside an official comment.
Introduction to Just Like Mona Lisa
What if everyone were born genderless, who would you fall in love with? The highly anticipated TV anime adaptation of Just Like Mona Lisa by Tsumuji Yoshimura, a series that has surpassed a cumulative 1 million copies sold, is finally here.
Hinase, the main character who continues to live genderless. Childhood friends Ritsu and Shiori, who have already chosen theirs. What is “love”? What does it mean to have something you want to cherish above all else? Their classmates and the adults around them struggle and hesitate alongside them, weaving the story together. What choice will Hinase make? A breathtaking triangle of first love and youth, now brought to life in beautiful animation by SHAFT, one of Japan’s leading animation studios.
・Official Website: https://monalisa-anime.com
・Official X: @anime_mona_lisa (https://x.com/anime_mona_lisa）
Special Comment & Illustration from Author Tsumuji Yoshimura
Story
In a world where everyone is born genderless. Their bodies shift toward their desired gender when they reach around twelve years old. Yet Hinase alone had not changed at all and had now reached the age of eighteen. Arima Hinase, a third-year high school student, carries the quiet unease of being the only one around them genderless, yet simply spends unchanged days with childhood friends Ritsu Kaga and Shiori Takayama, and that alone had been enough. Then one day, when Ritsu and Shiori confess their feelings towards Hinease, their everyday life begins to change. “Something is about to change. Their eighteenth spring has arrived.”
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Tsumuji Yoshimura / SQUARE ENIX, “Just Like Mona Lisa” Project
Staff
– Original Story: Tsumuji Yoshimura’s “Just Like Mona Lisa” (Published by Square Enix “Gangan Comics ONLINE”)
– Animation Production: SHAFT Inc.
Original Manga Information
・Publisher: Square Enix Co., Ltd.
・Author: Tsumuji Yoshimura
・Volumes: Volumes 1–8, along with spin-off volumes “X” and “Y,” totaling 10 volumes now available.
Media & Press Inquiries
CyberAgent, Inc. Corporate Communications / PR Team: Mika
Media Contact
Organization: CyberAgent, Inc.
Contact Person: CyberAgent, Inc. Press Contact
Website: https://caanime.cyberagent.co.jp/en/
Email: Send Email
Address:40-1 Udagawacho, Abema Towers, Shibuya City, Tokyo
City: Tokyo
Country:Japan
Release id:46191
The post Just Like Mona Lisa Confirmed Anime Adaptation, Teaser Visual and Illustration Revealed 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
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.
Press Release
Michael A. Griffin Encourages Young Professionals to Learn Every Role Before Seeking Leadership
-
Raleigh business leader Michael A. Griffin says the best leaders are built through experience, not titles, and encourages young professionals to focus on learning before leading.
RALEIGH, N.C. Jun 18, 2026, ZEX PR WIRE — Michael A. Griffin, CEO and Chairman of National Business Center, Inc., is encouraging young professionals to resist the pressure to rush into leadership positions and instead focus on understanding the work, the people, and the processes that make organizations successful.
Griffin’s message comes from personal experience. Before becoming a CEO, he spent years working in customer service and learning different aspects of business operations. He believes those experiences provided lessons that continue to shape his leadership approach today.
“Everybody wants the title,” Griffin said. “Not everybody wants to learn what the people doing the work deal with every day. That’s where the real education happens.”
According to a recent Gallup workplace report, managers account for as much as 70% of the variation in employee engagement. Despite that impact, many professionals enter leadership roles without first gaining experience across different functions within an organization.
Griffin believes that creates challenges for both leaders and teams.
“When I first started, I paid attention to how customers reacted, how employees solved problems, and where processes broke down,” he said. “Those observations taught me more about leadership than any management title could have.”
Research from the Center for Creative Leadership has found that experience-based learning is one of the most significant drivers of leadership development. Exposure to different responsibilities helps future leaders understand how decisions affect employees, customers, and operations.
For Griffin, some of the most valuable lessons came from working closest to customers.
“I remember seeing situations where a policy looked good on paper but created confusion in practice,” he said. “If you’ve never been the person dealing directly with that confusion, it’s easy to make decisions that create more problems.”
He believes young professionals should actively seek opportunities to learn beyond the boundaries of their current role.
That could mean spending time with different departments, volunteering for new projects, observing experienced colleagues, or simply asking more questions.
“The people who grow the fastest are usually the people who stay curious,” Griffin said. “They want to understand how everything connects.”
Griffin also draws leadership lessons from his background in baseball and football. Growing up in Eastern North Carolina, he learned that successful teams depend on every player understanding their role and how it contributes to the larger goal.
“In sports, you learn pretty quickly that one person can’t do everything,” he said. “You also learn that every position matters. Business works the same way.”
He believes those lessons are particularly important in an era where career advancement often feels accelerated.
Social media and professional networking platforms can create the impression that leadership is something people achieve quickly. Griffin argues that the strongest leaders are often the ones who spend years building knowledge and credibility before taking on greater responsibility.
“People see the promotion,” he said. “They don’t always see the years of learning that came before it.”
His advice to young professionals is straightforward: focus less on managing people and more on understanding how the work gets done.
“Learn the customer side. Learn the operational side. Learn where problems start and how they get solved,” Griffin said. “The more perspectives you understand, the better decisions you’ll make later.”
He believes that leadership is ultimately about serving others and helping teams perform at their best. That becomes easier when leaders understand the challenges their employees face.
“When people know you’ve done the work or taken the time to understand it, trust comes faster,” he said. “Trust is one of the most important things a leader can earn.”
As organizations continue to navigate change and workforce development challenges, Griffin hopes more young professionals will view learning as an investment rather than a delay.
“Leadership isn’t a destination,” he said. “It’s the result of experiences, lessons, mistakes, and growth. The more you learn before you lead, the better prepared you’ll be when the opportunity comes.”
About Michael A. Griffin
Michael A. Griffin is the CEO and Chairman of National Business Center, Inc., based in Raleigh, North Carolina. He oversees Vegas-Style Skill Games and Blue Bull Gaming and has spent years working in customer service, operations, and executive leadership. Raised in Eastern North Carolina, Griffin played baseball and football growing up and credits many of his leadership principles to lessons learned through sports, teamwork, and hands-on experience. He frequently writes and speaks about leadership, operational discipline, customer behavior, and professional development.
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.
Just Like Mona Lisa Confirmed Anime Adaptation, Teaser Visual and Illustration Revealed
Just Like Mona Lisa Confirmed Anime Adaptation, Teaser Visual and Illustration Revealed
Michael A. Griffin Encourages Young Professionals to Learn Every Role Before Seeking Leadership
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