The Church of Scientology Hamburg hosted a United Nations International Friendship Day celebration and concert July 28 to promote the ideals the day represents.

In 2011, the UN proclaimed Friendship Day in the belief that “friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.”

The United Nations encourages groups to mark the day “with events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.”

In keeping with this theme, the Church of Scientology of Hamburg organized a multicultural concert and open house. Held in the Chapel of the Church, those performing and attending the Friendship Day celebration represented a broad cross-section of Hamburg ethnicities, from Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Middle East.

The Church of Scientology supports many social betterment and humanitarian programs, and, in the spirit of friendship, the Church’s Director of Public Affairs introduced attendees to a program whose effects are far-reaching and provide a basis for success in any endeavor.

The ability to study is a vital skill. With this truly in hand, the individual can learn the skills needed for a successful and prosperous life. Without it, the individual, family and group lack the ability to learn the tools they need to overcome life’s challenges.

The Church of Scientology supports Applied Scholastics International, a social betterment organization that makes broadly available the technology of study developed by author, humanitarian and Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard. Through this technology, youth and adults can overcome the barriers to study, making it possible to learn any subject.

The Church of Scientology has published a brochure, Scientology: How We Help—Applied Scholastics, Achieving Literacy and Education, one of a series of publications presented to meet requests for more information about the Scientology religion and its support of global humanitarian initiatives and social betterment programs. For more information, visit the Scientology website at www.scientology.org/AppliedScholastics.

The Church of Scientology Hamburg dedicated its new Ideal Scientology Organization at Domstrasse 9 on January 21, 2012. Its facilities are configured to service Scientologists in their ascent to spiritual freedom and serve as a home for the entire community—a meeting ground of cooperative effort to uplift citizens of all denominations.