The members of the Foreign Service are like the olive branches in the right talon of the American eagle, they advise the president and Secretary of State about foreign relations and foreign policies.  The members of the Foreign Service are foreign affairs professionals who keep the peace and strive for a better world.

This essay competition is open to 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th graders who are required to write an essay of 1000 to 1250 words.   

The 2016 Essy Topic:

In 1,000-1,250 words, discuss one of the following topics:

Imagine that you are a member of the U.S. Foreign Service recently assigned to one of the following eight bureaus within the Department of State or the U.S. Agency for International Development:

1. Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (State)
2. Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration (State)
3. Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs (State)
4. Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs (State)
5. Bureau of Energy Resources (State)
6. Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (USAID)
7. Bureau for Food Security (USAID)
8. Bureau for Global Health (USAID)

You have been tasked with seeking peacebuilding solutions to a particular conflict or crisis that threatens U.S. interests abroad. Examples include, but are not limited to: ongoing tensions between Israel and the Palestinian Territories, escalating violence in Iraq, destabilizing forces in Mali and sectarian violence in Myanmar. You are welcome to explore conflicts related to economic crises, resource scarcity, refugee influxes or any other topic that interests you.

See the American Foreign Service Association website for additional details about the essay.

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