In alignment with the UN’s Faith for Earth Initiative, the Church of Scientology in Budapest marked World Environment Day 2025 with an interfaith event highlighting ethical approaches to environmental protection. At the center of the discussion was the Better World Movement, led by Scientologist Attila Kis-Balázs and inspired by The Way to Happiness, a moral code by L. Ron Hubbard. Through regular clean-up events and community engagement, the movement turns values like personal responsibility and care for the planet into concrete action.
In a time of growing ecological distress, the need for a values-based approach to environmental action has never been more urgent. Recognizing this, the United Nations Environment Programme launched the Faith for Earth Initiative — a global effort to engage religious and spiritual communities as essential partners in protecting the planet. At the heart of this initiative is a simple but profound idea: that moral guidance and inner transformation are just as critical to sustainability as science and technology. We find this vision to become more and more vividly brought to life in Hungary, where a movement inspired by The Way to Happiness, a common-sense moral code authored by L. Ron Hubbard, is mobilizing Scientologists and local citizens alike to take meaningful, practical steps toward environmental restoration — one clean-up, one conversation, one act of responsibility at a time.
A Clean Planet Begins with a Clear Conscience
On World Environment Day 2025, the Church of Scientology in Budapest hosted a roundtable titled “The Present and Future of Environmental Protection from the Perspective of Science and Religion.” Scientists and spiritual leaders from diverse traditions — Adventist, Catholic, Hindu, and Scientologist — came together in a rare and meaningful dialogue.
The discussions revealed a shared understanding: true environmental sustainability requires more than policy reforms or green technologies. It demands a transformation in how people think, live, and take responsibility. A Scientologist speaker emphasized that real change starts when individuals decide to live ethically — not out of fear, but out of care.
A concept from the principle “Safeguard and improve your environment,” from The Way to Happiness resonated throughout the event:
“The idea that one has a share in the planet and that one can and should help care for it may seem very large and, to some, quite beyond reality. But today what happens on the other side of the world, even so far away, can effect what happens in your own home.” L. Ron hubbard
In a world that often promotes convenience over conscience, this message struck a chord — reminding participants that caring for the environment is ultimately a personal choice, repeated day after day.
The Better World Movement: A Moral Code in Motion
This principle is lived out visibly in the work of the Jobb Vilag Mozgalom (Better World Movement), founded by Attila Kis-Balázs, a Hungarian Scientologist whose commitment to environmental action is rooted deeply in The Way to Happiness.
What began as a solo effort — picking up litter as a child — grew into a vibrant national volunteer movement. Today, hundreds of people take part in clean-up events organized across Hungary. And while the work is practical, the spirit behind it is unmistakably ethical.
“The Way to Happiness gave me clarity. It showed me that doing good is not just idealistic — it’s essential. When people feel they can make a difference, they do.” — Attila Kis-Balázs
Each clean-up is guided by principles such as:
- “Set a good example.”
- “Safeguard and improve your environment.”
These ideas aren’t theoretical — they are put into practice through monthly events that are joyful, inclusive, and deeply fulfilling.
How It Works: Inspired Action for a Cleaner Hungary
In Hungary, The Way to Happiness has become much more than a book — it’s the ethical backbone of a growing environmental movement. At its heart is Attila Kis-Balázs, a lifelong Scientologist whose personal story is as compelling as the cause he champions.
Long before founding the Jobb Vilag Mozgalom (Better World Movement), Attila was just a boy walking the streets of his town, quietly picking up litter. “It didn’t feel like a big act,” he recalls. “But it felt right.” That small gesture, repeated over the years, would later evolve into something far greater: a coordinated national effort to clean and care for Hungary’s public spaces — with kindness, joy, and purpose.
The turning point came when Attila read The Way to Happiness. Its simple but powerful principles — especially “Help take care of the planet” and “Try not to do things that others will have to clean up” — gave him the moral clarity he was seeking. “It connected the dots for me,” he says. “It wasn’t just about cleaning up trash. It was about being the kind of person who leaves the world better than they found it.”
Motivated by this ethical framework, he began organizing clean-up events, initially among friends and family. But word spread quickly, and the gatherings began to grow. Today, the Better World Movement mobilizes hundreds of volunteers across Hungary, creating a ripple effect that’s visible not only in cleaner parks and streets, but also in the renewed spirit of the communities involved.
The Moral Code That Guides the Movement
The impact of the Better World Movement can be felt most clearly during one of its weekend clean-ups. There’s no fanfare — just people of all ages showing up with gloves, bags, and a sense of purpose. The atmosphere is light-hearted, often accompanied by music, laughter, and impromptu conversations between strangers. The work is real — collecting waste, sorting recyclables, restoring green spaces — but what strikes first-time participants is the sense of unity.
Events usually last two to three hours and are followed by informal shared meals or discussions. The idea is not just to clean but to connect. “We’ve had people come for the first time just out of curiosity,” says one longtime volunteer. “But they leave with a sense that they’ve done something important. That feeling brings them back.”
Municipalities have taken notice too. Local governments often partner with the movement, suggesting locations in need of attention. A custom-developed app helps coordinate efforts and encourages citizens to propose new sites. But what really fuels the continuity is the emotional reward — the quiet pride of having made something better.
While the movement isn’t limited to Scientologists, many of its most consistent volunteers are inspired by The Way to Happiness. They speak of the book not as a set of rules, but as a guide for living with integrity. For them, picking up a piece of trash isn’t just an act of service — it’s a way of expressing respect for life and for others.
A Global Example for Faith-Driven Action
The Hungarian initiative is part of a wider awakening across faith communities worldwide. The UNEP’s Faith for Earth Initiative supports exactly this kind of values-driven action: efforts that bring spiritual conviction into practical, planet-saving work.
Iván Arjona, the Church of Scientology’s representative to the European Union and United Nations, sees the Better World Movement as a model for how individual ethics can ripple outward to societal change:
“What makes The Way to Happiness so effective is that it speaks to the person — not in abstract terms, but in real-life guidance. When people align their actions with their values, change becomes unstoppable.”
From the streets of Budapest to the halls of international dialogue, the message is gaining ground: lasting change begins with people — and people guided by a moral code can indeed change the world.
In a time when global challenges can feel overwhelming, the Better World Movement and The Way to Happiness offer something rare: a sense of control, meaning, and real, practical ways to make the world better — one action at a time.
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The Way to Happiness in Action How Hungarian Scientologists Are Leading Environmental Change
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