Whereas, the Division on Ministries with Young People has been charged with advocating the issues and concerns of young people in this church and the global community; and

Whereas, the Division on Ministries with Young People has been charged with empowering young people to work as agents of peace, justice, and mercy; and

Whereas, "sweatshop" workers, living in impoverished countries around the world, now provide us with the vast majority of the clothing on our backs and other materials used in our daily lives. These workers are mostly teenage girls and women who toil for long hours, under inhumane conditions, for wages that fail to provide for the necessities of life*; and

Whereas, the cotton that is used to make our clothes and other products is the second most pesticide-laden crop in the world. Although it is only grown on 3-5 percent of the Earth's cultivated land, cotton account for 10 percent of all the world's pesticides each year (it takes approximately one-third pound of pesticides to make just one conventional cotton t-shirt)*; and

Whereas, as the East Ohio Conference youth have taken a bold step forward in standing up against these exploitative practices with their "Faith in Action T-Shirt Ministry," and the Division on Ministries with Young People wishes to affirm their powerful action and further this cause; and

Whereas, the Division on Ministries with Young People requires many supplies and materials including, but not limited to, t-shirts, wristbands, and posters;

Therefore be it resolved that, in seeking an authentic Christian response to the deplorable conditions faced by the world's garment workers, as well as the environmental concerns associated with the cotton industry, the Division on Ministries with Young People will intentionally purchase said materials made in safe, dignified working conditions, with employee wages that allow workers to meet the basic needs of their families. Just as important, these durable, high-quality shirts will be made using organic cotton – meaning no harmful chemicals are used in the growing process, maintaining the integrity of God's Creation.*

Further be it resolved that the Division on Ministries with Young People will provide information for conferences, districts, local churches, campus ministries and other affiliated agencies and organizations to participate in this advocacy effort and urge its implementation among those levels and branches of the church whenever the opportunity presents itself.

The Division on Ministries with Young People
Advocacy Table