Spiritual Freedom // Final November 29, 2024, on the Church of Scientology of Spain, situated simply meters from the Nationwide Parliament in Madrid, the eleventh version of the Spiritual Freedom Awards, was held.
This occasion, organized annually by the Basis for the Enchancment (Basis MEJORA) of Life, Tradition and Society (a Scientology basis acknowledged by the United Nations), introduced collectively teachers, activists, and human rights defenders in an occasion that highlighted freedom of thought, faith and perception as a basic pillar of democracy and peaceable coexistence.
The winners of this version had been Ana Isabel Planet, Santiago Cañamares and Fernando Amérigo-Cuervo. The occasion was attended by many personalities within the discipline of non secular freedom, reminiscent of Daniel Pelayo (Deputy Director Basic of Spiritual Freedom of the Spain Ministry of Presidency), Gustavo Suarez Pertierra (former Minister of Schooling, Minister of Protection and Director of Spiritual Affairs at totally different instances and present President of UNICEF Spain), Ana Fernandez Coronado, Luis Morente of the Federation of Buddhist Communities, amongst others.
A tribute in troublesome instances
The occasion was opened by Isabel Ayuso-Puente, Secretary Basic of the Fundacion Mejora, who highlighted the significance of those awards in a global and European context and the necessity to enhance the applying of the identical by the states.
Because it couldn’t be in any other case, she additionally had phrases to recollect and lift consciousness concerning the current tragedies in Valencia. Ayuso-Puente highlighted the solidarity proven by volunteers from varied religions, together with Scientology volunteer ministers, who’ve volunteered and coordinated greater than 18,000 hours of service within the restoration efforts. “Solidarity and collaboration have proven that, within the face of adversity, we will all work collectively with out variations,” she mentioned in her emotional speech.
The president of the Basis, Ivan Arjona-Pelado, who additionally represents Scientology earlier than the EU and the United Nations, and who was elected president of the NGO Committee on Spiritual Freedom of UN Geneva final september, introduced a particular shock: a publishing undertaking funded by the Coexistence Undertaking Basis (of the Ministry of Presidency), which distributes a e book compiling the works of the winners within the final 10 years to school libraries and which was coordinated by Arjona himself and by the Full Professor of Constitutional Regulation, Professor Alejandro Torres. In line with Arjona-Pelado, “spreading data about spiritual freedom is essential to constructing a way forward for respect and tolerance”.
The award winners: a tireless protection of basic rights
Ana Planet Contreras
Full Professor of Sociology of Islam on the Autonomous College of Madrid, Ana Planet was awarded for her tutorial and analysis work on the rights of Muslim communities in Spain and the impression this work has on different minority faiths.
Throughout her speech, Planet recalled key moments in her profession, reminiscent of her analysis in Melilla and Ceuta and her work within the growth of the legislative framework for spiritual pluralism in Spain. “Plurality and non secular freedom don’t endanger the cohesion and id of European societies; quite the opposite, they strengthen them,” she mentioned.
Planet highlighted the impression of the 1980 Constitutional Regulation on Spiritual Freedom and referred to as on the brand new generations to keep up the political consensus that allowed historic advances in basic rights. “Right now, greater than ever, we should fight hate speech and reinforce democratic values based mostly on pluralism and equality,” she concluded.
Santiago Cañamares Arribas
Full Professor of State Ecclesiastical Regulation on the Complutense College of Madrid, Santiago Cañamares centered his speech on the present challenges dealing with spiritual freedom within the West. He analyzed instances by which spiritual beliefs are relegated to the personal sphere and conditions of labor discrimination, reminiscent of using the Islamic veil or conscientious objection in issues reminiscent of abortion and euthanasia.
“Spiritual freedom permits us to stay based on our convictions and values, but it surely stays essential to defend it even in democratic societies,” he mentioned.
Cañamares additionally highlighted the function of European courts in selling inclusive options, stressing that “spiritual freedom is an important human proper that have to be protected in opposition to any discrimination or arbitrariness.”
Fernando Amérigo-Cuervo Arango
A acknowledged knowledgeable in Ecclesiastical Regulation and Full Professor, in addition to a outstanding member of the Spanish Society of Spiritual Sciences, Fernando Amérigo-Cuervo gave a shifting speech by which he linked human dignity with basic rights. “Freedom of conscience is an important worth within the building of plural, tolerant and inclusive societies,” he mentioned. He additionally warned concerning the dangers posed by discourses of intolerance and xenophobia in fashionable democracies.
The professor thanked each his college students and academics, and paid tribute to historic figures reminiscent of Erasmus of Rotterdam, Voltaire and René Cassin, and up to date ones reminiscent of Dionisio Llamazares, recalling that the rules of liberty, equality and fraternity are basic to beat immediately’s challenges. “We’re youngsters of a practice that defends human dignity as a pillar of our societies,” he concluded.
Particular Recognition to L. Ron Hubbard
The occasion additionally included a tribute to L. Ron Hubbard, founding father of the Scientology faith, for his contribution to the protection of human rights. This recognition, promoted by lawyer Arroyo, was obtained by Jetmira Cremonesi, consultant of L. Ron Hubbard‘s private workplace in Europe.
Following the award, Arjona-Pelado famous that Mr. Hubbard’s legacy evokes Scientology members to struggle injustice and promote common values reminiscent of justice and tolerance “regardless of who or what’s put in entrance of them.”
A name to motion
The eleventh version of the Spiritual Freedom Awards underlined that the protection of non secular freedom is crucial to make sure inclusive and democratic societies. Within the phrases of Fernando Amérigo-Cuervo, “beliefs maintain us as human beings and freedom of conscience is crucial to construct a simply society”. This occasion not solely acknowledged excellent figures, but additionally reaffirmed the collective dedication to equality, human dignity and peaceable coexistence.
