The Royal Commonwealth Society is currently accepting entries for the 2024 edition of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition. The essay competition is open to all commonwealth citizens aged 18 and under. The deadline for the submission of entries is 15th May 2024.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest schools’ international writing competition, managed by The Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883. Every year, it offers all Commonwealth youth aged 18 and under the opportunity to express their hopes for the future, opinions of the present, and thoughts on the past, through the written word.
The competition is used by individuals and teachers to build confidence, develop writing skills, support creativity and encourage critical thinking, using literacy to empower young people to become global citizens.
This year’s competition asks entrants to consider how they deal with adversity, and how community and culture can be used to encourage resilience and hope in a world with a growing number of global issues.
Competition Categories
Senior Category (14-18 Years of Age)
- It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.”– Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. What small steps can you take to help tackle the climate crisis?
- Write a speech highlighting what you think is the most challenging issue facing the world today, and how Commonwealth values can be used to solve it.
- At the heart of Samoan way of life is ‘aiga’, meaning ‘family’ values including selflessness, hospitality, co-operation, respect and dignity. What core values and ideas from your culture can be used to enhance co-operation and community in the Commonwealth?
- The Commonwealth’s London Declaration aimed to strive for peace, liberty and progress. Write a letter to your President or Prime Minister about how to achieve those aims.
Junior Category (Under 14 Years of Age)
- What new habit could you adopt to positively contribute towards a greener Commonwealth?
- Write a dialogue between yourself and a grandparent about resilience and hope. What can you share with the older generation, and what can you learn from them?
- You are taking part in a beach clean-up and discover that you can speak to sea creatures. What are they saying, and how do you respond?
- You’re on a school exchange in a Commonwealth country different to your own. How do you make friends with people your age? (Consider similarities and differences in culture that may unite you).
Eligibility
- Open to nationals and residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories aged 18 and under are eligible to enter the competition, including entrants from Zimbabwe.
- All entries must be written in English
- Entries are accepted from residents of non-Commonwealth countries who submit through their local RCS branch.
- Entrants can be presented in any form/method of creative writing. Pictures/Illustrations are particularly encouraged in the Junior Category.
Prizes
The top two winners from each category will receive a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony at a royal palace. All successful entries will receive a Certificate of Participation, and several entrants will be awarded Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for excellence in writing.
At the end of the online submission process, you will receive a notice that your entry has been successfully submitted. This notice will contain a unique identification number, which will also be emailed to your nominated email address. To apply, you can visit this link.
