Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024

Applications for the 2024 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition for young writers in Commonwealth countries have commenced.

Successful winners and runner-ups stand a chance to win a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, at a special Awards Ceremony event at the Royal Palace, London.

Host: Royal Commonwealth Society 
Open To: Secondary School Finalists | Postgraduate Students (Masters & PhD)
Eligible Countries: Commonwealth Countries
Benefits: Fully Funded Trip to London | Certification | Prizes
Deadline: May 15, 2024

Each year, young people are asked to write on a theme that explores the Commonwealth’s values and principles, fostering an empathetic and open-minded world view in the next generation of Commonwealth leaders.

Recent themes have focused on the environment, inclusion, the role of youth leadership, and gender equality.

Annually, winners are invited to travel to the United Kingdom for a week of educational and cultural activities, which culminates in a special Awards Ceremony, usually held at Buckingham Palace, that is hosted by the Society’s Vice-Patron, Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall.

Past winners have gone on to become prominent leaders, including the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Mei Fong, and the renowned author, Elspeth Huxley.

Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition Requirements

To be considered for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, you must:

• Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country
• Be under 18 years of age
• Choose to answer one of the topics, and you are encouraged to interpret this in any way you wish.
• Think carefully about the form of writing you use to answer the topic. There are a variety of forms and styles to play with.
• Make sure to use your own voice and your own words. Judges are very good at spotting work that is not original.
• We understand that English is a diverse language and there are different and innovative ways of using it around the Commonwealth. We encourage diversity and creativity of language in submissions.
• Ensure you take into account grammar and punctuation whilst writing your piece. Do not submit an entry without proof-reading.
• Presentation is important: think about the visual appearance of the entry as well as the quality of the content.

Benefits of Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

• One Winner and Runner Up will be chosen from each category. Winners and Runners Up (accompanied by one adult/guardian) will be brought to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony.
• A number of Gold Finalist, Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be given in both the Senior and Junior categories, rewarding excellence in writing.
• All successful entries will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Guidelines for Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

SENIOR CATEGORY

(Born between 16 May 2005 and 15 May 2010 (14-18 years of age))

1. “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?  

2. 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.

3. 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? 

4. 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

(Born on or after 16 May 2010 (under 14 years of age))

1. 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? 

3. 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?

4. 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).

How To Apply for Commonwealth Essay Competition

Interested and qualified young writers should follow the procedures below to apply for the Commonwealth Essay Competition.

• Click on the button below to commence application and submit write-ups.
• Select the category to which you belong (Junior or Senior)
• Click on START to submit your entry

FIND OUT MORE AND APPLY

Deadline:

May 15, 2024