Open to undergraduate and graduate students from all colleges.
Teams should have 2 to 4 members.
Submission Guidelines
Follow all deadlines and submission formats as detailed in the competition materials.
Implementation Commitment
Prize Objective: The $10,000 prize supports the winning team in implementing their solution with a nonprofit partner to achieve lasting community impact.
Roles: The winning team will guide the project, supported by their nonprofit partner.
Timeline: Implementation should occur over the summer or the following semester.
Funds are strictly for project-related expenses, including stipends, materials, training, community activities, and evaluation.
Catholic Social Teaching Principles Guiding the Case
Dignity of the Human Person
At the core of Catholic Social Teaching is the belief in the inherent dignity of every human being, which must be respected and protected. This principle is particularly relevant to the CST Impact Competition's focus on migration and the empowerment of Afghan women. By providing training and employment opportunities, the initiative recognizes and affirms the dignity of these women, enabling them to support themselves and their families. Pope John XXIII emphasized that the Church's social teaching is built upon the sacred dignity of the individual, which is essential for social reconstruction and justice. (Mater et Magistra, Pope John XXIII)
Community and Participation
CST advocates for the importance of community and the active participation of individuals in society. The initiative to empower Afghan women through workforce training not only seeks to integrate them into the labor market but also fosters a sense of belonging and community. By engaging these women in culturally relevant textile craftsmanship, the program respects their heritage while promoting their active participation in the economic life of their new communities. Pope Pius XI highlighted the necessity of collective efforts toward the common good, emphasizing that all individuals should contribute their skills and knowledge for the benefit of society. (Quadragesimo Anno, Pope Pius XI)
Preferential Option for the Poor
The preferential option for the poor is a fundamental principle of CST that calls for a special concern for the marginalized and vulnerable. Afghan women, as a group facing significant challenges due to cultural norms and the trauma of displacement, exemplify this need for targeted support. The CST Impact Competition's focus on developing pathways for dignified work aligns with this principle, as it seeks to uplift those who are often overlooked in the labor market. Pope John XXIII noted that effective social measures taken by Catholics can significantly improve the conditions of the working classes, which includes vulnerable populations like Afghan women. (Ad Petri Cathedram, Pope John XXIII)
Common Good
The pursuit of the common good is another essential aspect of CST, which emphasizes that social conditions should allow all individuals to reach their full potential. The initiative to create a training program for Afghan women not only benefits the individuals involved but also contributes to the broader community by addressing labor shortages in the U.S. garment industry. This aligns with Pope Pius XI's assertion that achieving the common good requires the collaboration of all people of goodwill, particularly through the application of Catholic principles in social and economic contexts. (Quadragesimo Anno, Pope Pius XI)