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The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

We are delighted to share that the 2023 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is open to entries for writers aged under 18, who are nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories, as well as residents of Hong Kong, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.

The competition asks entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

• Top prize : the top two winners from each category will be awarded with a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special awards ceremony at a royal palace.
• Awards : All successful entries will receive a certificate of participation and a number of entrants will receive Gold, Silver and Bronze awards for excellence in writing.

For full details, please refer here .

Enquiries about submissions should be directed to the Royal Commonwealth Society, please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this prize is run by the Royal Commonwealth Society, not the Commonwealth Foundation.

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The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2017 launched on International Day of Peace

The Royal Commonwealth Society has today launched The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2017, focusing on the topic of A Commonwealth for Peace. The launch coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

Building upon the 2016 theme of An Inclusive Commonwealth, this year’s topics ask young people to explore a deeper understanding of the meaning of peace and the role of the Commonwealth as a network of and for democracy, human rights and peace.

The Director of The Royal Commonwealth Society, Michael Lake CBE, said: "Peace is at the heart of the Commonwealth as one of the core articles of the Commonwealth Charter. This year’s topic of ‘A Commonwealth for Peace’ asks young writers to explore peace at every level: from the personal to the political to the pan-Commonwealth."

Sponsored by the Cambridge University Press, this highly prestigious competition aims to challenge young people’s thinking and the means by which they can express their views, using creative forms of writing such as essays, poems, stories or scripts.

Judges described entries to the 2016 competition as ‘imaginative’, ‘inspirational’, ‘ambitious’ and ‘profound’. A similarly high calibre of writing is expected in 2017.

The competition is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth aged 18 and under and opens today until 1 May 2017. A Winner and Runner-up from both the Senior and Junior categories will win a trip to London for a weeklong series of educational and cultural events. In recent years this week has included a special Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall.

Rod Smith, Managing Director of Education at Cambridge University Press, said: "The Royal Commonwealth Society shares our vision of empowerment through education, and we’re thrilled to be sponsoring The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition once again. We were astounded by the exceptional standard of entries in last year’s competition and are looking forward to celebrating exciting new work and to finding new voices from across the Commonwealth in 2017."

Notes to editors

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition was founded by the Royal Commonwealth Society in 1883 and is the world’s oldest international schools’ writing contest. The competition is sponsored by Cambridge University Press and received approximately 13,500 entries in 2016 from almost every country in the Commonwealth.

The Junior category is open to entrants aged under 14 and the Senior category is open to entrants aged 14-18.

More information about the competition including the entry rules and essay topics can be found here: www.thercs.org/competition

The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), founded in 1868, is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Through youth empowerment, education and advocacy, the RCS promotes the value and values of the Commonwealth. www.thercs.org

Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world’s oldest publishing house and the second-largest university press in the world. Cambridge University Press has been a sponsor of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition since 2013. 

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The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024

Deadline: May 15, 2024 23:59 BST | Apply here Eligibility: nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories, as well as residents of Hong Kong, Ireland, and Zimbabwe

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest international writing competition, and it celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2024. The competition invites all young writers to try their skills and amplify their voices.

Winners will be invited to London for a week filled with educational and cultural events. Moreover, the culmination of the week will hold a special Awards Ceremony. In addition, all successful entries will receive a Certificate of Participation.

Eligibility for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024

The competition welcomes nationals or residents from all Commonwealth countries and territories, along with residents from Hong Kong, Ireland, and Zimbabwe. Residents of non-Commonwealth countries with an operational RCS branch or affiliated/partner organization can apply through their local RCS branch.

Categories and topics

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition offers two categories, each featuring four potential topics to explore. There is no minimum word count requirement, but all entries must be written in English. The respective limits and topics for each category are listed below.

Senior Category

Senior entrants must be born between 16 May 2005 and 15 May 2010 (14-18 years). The maximum word counts are 1,500 words for all topics and formats.

• “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 the Samoan way of life is ‘aiga’, meaning ‘family’ values including selflessness, hospitality, cooperation, respect, and dignity. What core values and ideas from your culture can be used to enhance cooperation 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. 

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Junior category

Junior entrants must be born after 16 May 2010 (under 14 years of age). The maximum word counts are 750 words for all topics and formats.

• 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 from your own. How do you make friends with people your age? (Consider similarities and differences in culture that may unite you).

Interested in applying for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024? Register your participation by following the registration link  and taking the suggested steps.

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The queen’s commonwealth essay competition 2023.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 asks entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 is now open for entries until 30 June 2023 . The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest international writing competition. 2023 marks 140 years since it was established in 1883. With thousands of young people taking part every year, it is an important way to recognize achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.

Categories:

• Senior Category The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

(born between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2009; 14-18 years of age ) ​

• As Head of the Commonwealth His Majesty the King is opening an international conference on the importance of young people in decision making. Write his speech. 
• Does age matter? 
• The 2023 Year of Youth was a moment of significant social change – what was its impact on the world? 
• Script a dialogue between two people, with contrasting viewpoints, on an issue that divides generations. 

2. Junior Category    The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

(Born on or after 1 July 2009; under 14 years of age )

• In fiction and throughout history, young people have performed numerous acts of heroism. Choose your favourite young hero and write to them about why you admire them.
• What is your youthful superpower, and how can it make a positive difference to the world?
• You have been stranded on a planet where everyone is 18 or under. Journal your experience.
• Why does your voice matter?

For more information and submission, kindly please VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

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Northeast Queens students invited to participate in annual Mother’s Day writing contest

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, Northeast Queens Assemblymember Edward Braunstein is encouraging local students to participate in his annual Essay and Poetry Contest in honor of the maternal holiday. 

The contest, which began in 2011, is geared toward students in grades 2-5 who reside in Assembly District 26, which encompasses Bayside , Douglaston , Little Neck and Glen Oaks . 

Essay and poetry submissions can be any length, as long as they adhere to the Mother’s Day theme. Some suggestions include writing about favorite shared experiences or pieces that showcase what makes their mom special. All participants are encouraged to express their creativity and let their writing skills shine through. 

“The contest is a great opportunity for students to honor their mother while competing to win a district-wide prize. I look forward to reading all the entries,” Assemblyman Braunstein said .  

The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 15 – either in person at Assemblyman Braunstein’s Bayside office at 213-33 39th Ave. or by emailing entries to [email protected]. 

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Iryna is a staff reporter primarily covering eastern Queens.

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