The MCC Washington office has hosted a high school essay writing contest for the past eight years. Over the years we have seen a wide range of thoughtful, Christ-centered analysis on issues relevant to public life and Christian faith. This fall Anabaptist youth will once again write on matters of public policy.

Topics this year include: the Sudan conflict; crime and justice; economic justice and immigration; and faith and politics. The Washington office is an Anabaptist presence in the nation's capital and our work is informed by MCC partners on the ground and by our U.S. constituents. The voice of Anabaptist youth is crucial to our work.

Sudan Conflict
The conflict in Sudan has raged on for many decades. MCC has worked in Sudan's conflict zone for over thirty years and our experience there informs our unique position in Washington. Lately much international attention has been given to the conflict in the Darfur region, while a "comprehensive peace agreement" between north and south Sudan hangs in the balance. We look forward to a fresh perspective on holistic peacemaking from Anabaptist youth.
<http://www.mcc.org/us/washington/programs/essays/2007/sudan.html>

Crime and Justice
The U.S. criminal justice system is broken. The system of retribution rather than restoration has caused the prisons to swell with overcrowding and has undergirded the prison industrial complex. In recent years, an alternative has appeared: restorative justice suggests that crime is an offense against an individual and community, and that response to a crime should primarily address the needs of the victim (and of the offender). What is Christ centered justice for the victim, the offender and the larger community?
<http://www.mcc.org/us/washington/programs/essays/2007/crime.html>

Economic Justice and Immigration
The issue of immigration is often discussed in terms of dealing with the 'problem' of undocumented migrants who arrive in the United States. To curb the flow of immigrants from Latin America, the U.S. has increased armed border patrols, installed high-tech surveillance equipment and built a wall along parts of the U.S.-Mexico border. Notably missing from the discussion is a look at one of the root causes of Latin American immigration: U.S. economic policy. While we are called to foster a culture of welcome for the strangers in our community, what can we do to ensure justice for those who do not want to leave their home and livelihood behind?
<http://www.mcc.org/us/washington/programs/essays/2007/economic.html>

Faith and Politics
The 2008 presidential campaign is in full swing and the field is wide open. Some say that this is one of the most contested bids for the White House in U.S. history. In a time when the U.S. is engaged in wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, when the world is watching the U.S. and its policies, what is our unique Anabaptist perspective regarding the upcoming elections? High school students, though most are not yet able to vote, will have a chance to weigh into the debate.
<http://www.mcc.org/us/washington/programs/essays/2007/faithpol.html>

The annual essay contest is a way for Anabaptist youth to get involved with the issues and policies that shape our world. For rules and guidelines on the contest: <http://www.mcc.org/us/washington/programs/essays/2007/>

Encourage the youth in your church to participate.