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Winners Of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 Announced!

2023 has been a fantastic year for The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC).

Celebrating the Commonwealth Year of Youth, the theme, 'A Youth-Powered Commonwealth,’ asked QCEC entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and to consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

In the 140th year of this competition, the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, we were delighted to receive a record-breaking 34,924 entries , an increase of almost 9,000 entries on the previous year, and from 50 Commonwealth countries, the most in the history of the competition!

This year’s top participating countries included Bangladesh, Ghana, India, Malaysia, the Maldives, Nigeria, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

In this special year, we are delighted to announce the winners of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition:

• Senior Winner: Miss Siddhi Deshmukh aged 17 from Mumbai, India for her piece titled, ‘An Angel that Burns’.
• Junior Winner: Miss Shreeya Sahi aged 12 from Panchkula, India for her entry titled, ‘Dear Little Prince’.
• Senior Runner-up: Miss Yong Sin Kong aged 15 from Kluang, Malaysia for her entry titled, ‘Observations made at a Local Kopitam, 13th of March, 2023’.
• Junior Runner-up: Miss Mitali Ragtah aged 11 from New Delhi, India for her piece titled, ‘Water Girl of India’.

We look forward to meeting these talented young writers in London next month for Winners Week and to celebrating their writing during a special Award Ceremony at Buckingham Palace hosted by Her Majesty Queen Camilla!

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Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition winners meet Camilla and visit Standard’s new office

Buckingham Palace has hosted a reception for the winners of a global writing competition - who also enjoyed a tour of the Evening Standard’s new office.

The reception, hosted by Camilla, The Queen Consort, welcomed the prize winners of this year’s Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition and their families on Thursday.

During the event and following her Majesty’s speech to the attendees, Royal Commonwealth Society ambassadors read out extracts from the four winning pieces.

One of those was by an east London student, Amaal Fawzi, 17, who was a runner-up in this year’s competition. Her winning poem ‘Nursing Homes’ came second in the senior category.

The Queen Consort spoke of the “deep” links that run between the nations of the Commontwealth.

She said: “All of us are bound together by a profound appreciation of the written word and of our Commonwealth. This wonderful, extraordinary, richly diverse association of independent and equal nations and friends is, truly, ‘ours’, belonging to each one of us, and the connections between us run deep.”

Amongst the attendees were the competition’s 2020 and 2021 winners, who could not attend the awards ceremony in previous years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The winners, who are aged between 13-17 years old and travelled from New Zealand, Australia, India, Singapore, Uganda and the UK, were awarded their certificates by The Queen Consort. Extracts from their winning pieces were read by RCS Ambassadors Geri Horner, Alexandra Burke and Ayesha Dharker, as well as Booker Prize winner Ben Okri.

RCS Ambassador Gyles Brandreth acted as compère for the ceremony, during which The Queen Consort and the RCS Executive Chair, Dr Linda Yueh, spoke about the importance of the competition to elevate the voices of young people around the Commonwealth.

Dr Yueh said: “In 2022, we asked children around the Commonwealth to reflect on the inspiring example of the steadfast commitment Queen Elizabeth II gave to our Commonwealth family for over 70 years.

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“As the Patron of our Society, we were immensely grateful to The late Queen for her unstinting support of our efforts to improve literacy across the Commonwealth.”

“We are deeply honoured that Her Majesty The Queen Consort, like late Queen Elizabeth II, is tireless in her own support for this important competition and its ability to improve the lives and prospects of children around the Commonwealth,” she said.

The ceremony is one of several events the group attended in the week, which included a visit to Shakespeare’s Birthplace, workshops with actors from the Royal Shakespeare Company, and a tour and journalism workshop at the Evening Standard.

Their visit to the newspaper’s new office in AlphaBeta Building in Finsbury Square, included a talk by the Evening Standard and Independent’s editor emeritus, Doug Wills, as well as a walk through the paper’s history and evolution, by David Marsland. They were told of the paper’s rich history and relationship with novelist and playwright, Charles Dickens, who wrote short plays and articles that were published by it. Other key figures who were mentioned for their significance to the paper were the Irish playwright, George Bernard Shaw, and Emeline Pankhurst.

The paper’s space in the digital sphere was also discussed, and a glimpse into its London Live television channel shown. The interactive workshop involved contributions from the winners and their families, who made suggestions on what more the paper could cover. One suggestion was the impact of carbon taxes in the UK, and another was for better representation of Arabs in the western media.

The Evening Standard spoke to two of the attendees. Ethan Mufuma, from Uganda, who was the junior winner in 2021, said he was inspired to enter the competition by a friend, who had previously earned a certificate at it.

Speaking about his winning entry, he said: “My piece was centred at a local community story. I think this was very inspiring. ‘Okware’, a local name that I chose to represent my pandemic hero, made my piece wear that originality.”

He said another reason he entered was so he could “add a voice in the fight against the pandemic”.

“In my country, people don’t get information easily. One can take a month without accessing radio news. Peple, especially in local areas, depend on hearsay. Rememeber the pandemic required a lot of information. There was much of ‘do this, do that’, so I entered the competition to help share informatio regarding the control of the pandemic,” he said.

On the journalism workshop, Ethan said he “loved the way we were all engaged all the time”.

He said: “Sometimes, back when I was writing for my school’s newspaper, I remember the teacher emphasising the need to tell the truth in news, and the same thing the workshop emphasised. It’s like journalism and truth are twins.”

Of the award ceremony, he added “no exact word can tell the real feelings”.

“So amazing, very historical, very perfect in the way events keep changing. Someone has to be part of this to understand it all,” he said.

Maulika Pandey, 13, who was a junior runner-up in this year’s competition told us about her entry, ‘The Molai Forest’.

“My entry is about an Indian, Jadav Molai Payeng, from Assam, the Forest Man of India, because he managed to create a forest over the span of 40 years with his own hands. He taught me that things take time to happen and the fact that he continued to planting trees for 40 years, taught that doing little things can create a big result,” she said.

She said her favourite moment of the award ceremony was “definitely when I got to meet The Queen Consort”.

“Our winners really enjoyed their visit to the Evening Standard newsroom and relished the opportunity to talk to ES journalists. This visit has certainly opened their eyes to the possibility of a career in journalism,” Sophie Spencer, Programme Officer at the Royal Commonwealth Society, told the Evening Standard.

She added: “The award ceremony at Buckingham Palace was a life-changing experience for our young winners. It is really special to have their writing celebrated in such a way and it is an incredible boost to their confidence as they embark on their writing careers.”

Following the workshop, the group took a tour of the Evening Standard and The Independent’s newsrooms, including a chat with the former’s digital team, before ending with a photograph.

The Commonwealth Essay Competition, which has engaged around 140, 000 young people, more than 5, 000 schools, and many thousands of volunteer judges across the Commonwealth, in the last decade.

At 26, 322, this year saw the largest number of entries since the competition began in 1883.

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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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Essay Competition

Every year, the Commonwealth Essay Competition inspires thousands of young writers from all over the world. Organised by the RCS, this international youth writing contest has been running for over 100 years – the world’s oldest and largest – and is a highly regarded and popular international education project.

Open to all Commonwealth citizens aged 18 or under, the Essay Competition offers young people the opportunity to make their voice heard on a global platform, encouraging students to engage with issues which are important to them.

THE TOPICS FOR THE 2011 COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION HAVE NOW BEEN ANNOUNCED! click to read

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Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 NOW-OPEN

The 2024 Queen’s Essay competition is now open. See below for entry details including submission links and for more information click through to the RCS London Website . This year the theme is ‘Our Common Wealth’ and the competition is sponsored by the Lagos State Government, Nigeria.

'Our Common Wealth'

The theme for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will take place in Samoa in October 2024, is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’.    

Nearly half of Commonwealth countries are Small Island Developing States like Samoa that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Communities across the Commonwealth are also facing a range of challenges, including economic growth, peace and security. Creating strong and resilient societies is now more important than ever.   

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 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.  

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 is now open for entries until 15 May 2024. Please use this link to submit your entries. 

SENIOR CATEGORY 

(Born between 16 May 2005 and 15 May 2010 (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 

(Born on or after 16 May 2010 (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).

Download the QCEC 2024 Flyer

Queen’s Essay Competition, 2024

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Two Singaporeans receive The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition awards in Buckingham Palace

LONDON - Gauri Kumar, 14, lived in London for three years until she moved home to Singapore last year.

While she was here, she had only seen Buckingham Palace from the outside. On Wednesday (Oct 26), she and fellow Singaporean Tan Wan Gee, 14, were escorted into the palace, put through a rehearsal and taught how to curtsy.

It was to get them ready to meet Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Duchess was presenting certificates to the two teenagers: Gauri came in tops in the junior category of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition, while Wan Gee was the runner-up. The senior category was won by Inessa Rajah from South Africa and the runner-up was Esther Mungalaba from Zambia.

They beat 13,500 others from nearly all the Commonwealth countries, earning themselves a "Winners Week" in London which includes cultural and educational activities such as visits to Cambridge University, Houses of Parliament, The London Evening Standard newspaper, British Library and an award ceremony in Buckingham Palace.

Gauri said she was "extremely nervous" about the royal experience. "I haven't processed it yet. Hopefully, I'll be able to understand in a few days. But I'm still really confused about what's been happening," she said after receiving her award from the Duchess.

Wan Gee described the Duchess as "incredibly nice". She had asked the girls about the inspiration behind their winning essays, which had to reflect on the theme of the competition: An Inclusive Commonwealth.

Founded in 1883, The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world's oldest international schools writing competition. This year drew the most number of entries. Singapore alone sent in 4,585 entries - more than any other country.

The last Singaporean winner was Selina Xu from Nanyang Girls High School, who was senior runner-up in 2014.

The entries were judged by a pan-Commonwealth body of judges from more than 30 countries, who have described the entries as "inspirational", "imaginative" and "moving".

For her winning essay "Tales Of An Insider/Outsider", Gauri, who attends Tanglin Trust School, wrote about her experience of feeling disconnected from her relatives and culture because she does not speak Hindi well.

Wan Gee, who is studying in Temasek Junior College, wrote a poem "Are We Really So Different? Dear Santa", in which she advocated the importance of equality.

The two are voracious readers, with Gauri enjoying dystopian novels and authors like J K Rowling and George Orwell, and Wan Gee finding inspiration in Charles Bukowski and Sylvia Plath.

"There's something about their poetry that resonates with me," said Wan Gee, who confessed to hating poetry before she took a module in school last year.

"I bought a book by Charles Bukowski the other day. It's the way he makes something very ordinary feel very relatable. I really like that kind of expression."

Mr Michael Lake, director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, which organises the competition, said the four winners represent the "very best and brightest that the Commonwealth has to offer".

"Their essays and poems explore contemporary themes with maturity, intelligence and depth beyond their years."

About 70 guests were at the ceremony at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday to celebrate the young writers' achievements. They included Mr Chia Wei Wen, Deputy High Commissioner for Singapore, The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster Abbey and Ms Helle Thorning-Schmidt, former prime minister of Denmark and now CEO of Save the Children International.

Watching on proudly were Gauri's parents and younger sister, and Wan Gee's mother.

The girls are only too aware that when they go back to Singapore, their friends will ask them if they met the Queen. They had words of encouragement for aspiring young writers who might now be inspired to join the competition.

"There's no harm in entering the competition and if you do well, that's the most amazing thing," said Gauri.

Added Wan Gee: "Never give up on your writing. You never know where it'll take you, for example, here."

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Queen’s commonwealth essay competition award silver 2022.

Ayushi Paul Roy of Grade XI has been awarded the Silver award in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2022 – the world’s oldest international schools writing competition. There were 26,300 entries this year in which young Commonwealth citizens shared their thoughts, ideas and experiences on key global issues. We are extremely proud of Ayushi’s achievement. Thank you.

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Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition

The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world's oldest international writing competition for schools, established in 1883. With thousands of young people taking part each year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.

For 2021 the Competition theme is  Community in the Commonwealth . It is possible to   View the topics for 2021.

The essay writing competition is a side event of the commonwealth head of state meeting CHOGM under the patronage of HRH the Duchess of Cornwall.

This year, it will be a co-host with The First Lady of Rwanda, Mrs Jeannette Kagame.

 We are calling upon the Rwandan Youth to participate bearing in mind that Rwanda is the host country this year.

Kindly check the following link to be able to participate:  https://www.royalcwsociety.org/the-qcec

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Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 (Prize + Certificate)

If you have good essay-writing skills and want to participate in an international competition. Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is for you to show your skills and is currently open. In this article, we will explain in detail about this competition, its prize and step by step application process.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools, established in 1883. With thousands of young people taking part each year, it is an important way to recognize achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.

To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Commonwealth Heads of Government declared 2023 a year dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development and called on renewal and strengthening of our commitment to youth engagement and empowerment.

Of the Commonwealth’s population of almost 2.5 billion people, 60% are under the age of 30. This young demographic represents a dynamic ‘youth force for change’, made up of exceptional young people who are increasingly involved in advocacy, decision-making and action.

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 Society has a rich history of nurturing the creative talents of young people around the Commonwealth and we endeavour to promote literacy, expression and creativity by celebrating excellence and imagination. The Competition invites all young Commonwealth citizens and residents, regardless of region, education or background, to share ideas, celebrate their story and have their voice heard. Through partnerships with Book Aid International, Worldreader and the National Literacy Trust, the Society is working to increase access to this opportunity for a wider range of young people.

Scholarship Summary

• Level of Study: Competition
• Institution(s): The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS)
• Study in: UK
• Deadline: May 15, 2024

Essay Topics

The theme for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will take place in Samoa in October 2024, is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth’.    

Nearly half of Commonwealth countries are Small Island Developing States like Samoa that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Communities across the Commonwealth are also facing a range of challenges, including economic growth, peace and security. Creating strong and resilient societies is now more important than ever.   

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 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.  

SENIOR CATEGORY

(Born between 16 May 2005 and 15 May 2010 (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

(Born on or after 16 May 2010 (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).

Scholarship Coverage/Prize

Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition provides the recipient with the following benefits:

– All entrants receive a Certificate of Participation and one Winner and Runner-up from the Senior and Junior categories will win a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events.

– Prizes have traditionally been awarded only to the first prize winners in the Senior and Junior categories and also vary year by year. This means they are not able to confirm what the prizes will be until after the winners are announced in August 2024. Past prizes have included:

• Resources for winner’s school
• Certificates
• Visits to Cambridge University
• A trip to London and a week of activities
• Having your entry featured in worldwide media
• Work experience at international organisations, and
• RCS regional and branch offices often hold ceremonies or offer prizes. Please contact your nearest RCS branch after the competition closes on June 30, 2024, to inquire about any activities planned.

Eligibility Criteria for Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

To participate in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, following is the criteria:

• Required Language:  All entries must be written in English.
• Eligible Countries: Nationals and residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories aged 18 and under are eligible to enter the competition, including entrants from Zimbabwe.
• 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.

How to Apply for Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition?

Please follow the following important application instructions to participate in Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition:

Online Submission:

• The Royal Commonwealth Society is building a new online platform that will be much easier to use and accessible on all devices, but it’s not quite ready yet.
• They are encouraging young people to begin writing their pieces and will open the new platform for submissions in early 2024.
• Please note: They do not accept essays sent by email.

Offline Submissio n  ( P ost):  (Check the  How to Enter  section in the official website for more details)

• Offline submissions are very difficult to process and can mean that your entry arrives after the Competition closing date. They will only accept an offline entry where the person submitting has no access to internet and is unable to submit online.
• If you are submitting your entry by post, please complete an entry form (Can be found in the official website) in block capitals and attach it to the front of your essay. Entries should be sent to your nearest postal hub, details of which are listed below.
• Please note that for postal entries, your essay must be received by June 30, 2023 in order to be eligible. They, therefore, suggest that you send your essay with plenty of time for delivery, as essays received by a postal hub after June 30 will not be considered in the competition.
• Check the official website for posting address.

To know more about Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, please visit the official website:

Official Website

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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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Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 | Win a Trip to London

• Awards , Competitions

• Funding Type: Fully funded
• Region: Online
• Deadline: May 15, 2024
• Opportunity Type: Awards , Competitions

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the oldest and most amazing international essay writing competition in the world. This international competition is offered to school students. It has been organized by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883. Thousands of students from different schools participate in this international writing competition yearly. This international essay writing competition will help youth convey and deliver their thoughts through essay writing. The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) will motivate the youth and provide an opportunity to raise their voices for a change in society. The students will participate in this amazing international competition and make this world a better place through their writing skills. 

Similarly, the Commonwealth Program is a prestigious Royal Essay Competition that will allow young people to share their ideas on emerging global issues. 2024 celebrates 75 years of the Commonwealth. The theme of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition for the year 2024 is ‘Our Common Wealth’. Likewise, the theme for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) that will take place in October 2024 is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’ This international Essay Contest will produce a meaningful change through youth perspective and thinking. There is no application fee for this Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024. The Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 is a great opportunity to earn achievement internationally and get recognized by a well-known organization.

Moreover, applicants will positively impact society through their creative writing and thinking.  Selected applicants of this international essay contest will have the chance to get a fully funded trip to London by winning this international competition. The International Writing Contest 2024 from Commonwealth countries is divided into the Junior Category and Senior Category. In addition, the applicants between the age of 14-18 fall in the Senior Category. Similarly, applicants under the age of 14 years fall in the Junior Category. Each category of QCEC 2024 has a different topic for essay writing, a winner and a runner-up. In addition to the fully funded trip to London, the winners of both categories of this Commonwealth Essay Writing Contest 2024 will receive gold, silver, or bronze medals, and all successful participants will receive a certificate of participation. Therefore, the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 will polish the writing skills of the entrants and will broaden their vision by interacting with international students.

Topics for Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 (QCEC2024):

Senior Category Topics (14-18 years):

• Write a speech on what you think is the most challenging issue the world is facing today and how Commonwealth values can be used to solve it.
• “It is important to remember 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?
• The Samoan lifestyle revolves around ‘aiga’ or family values such as, selflessness, hospitality, respect, cooperation and dignity. Write about the core values and ideas from your culture and how they can be used to enhance cooperation and community in the Commonwealth?
• The Commonwealth’s London Declaration strives for peace, liberty and progress. Write a letter to your President or Prime Minister about how to achieve those aims.

Junior Category Topics (under 14 years):

• Come up  with a dialogue between yourself and a grandparent about hope and resilience. What can you share with the older generation and what can you learn from them?
• Imagine participating in a beach clean-up where you can speak to sea creatures. What are they saying and how will you respond?
• While on a school exchange in a Commonwealth nation, how will you make friends with people your age? (keep in mind the similarities and differences in culture that may unite you).
• What new habit could you adopt to positively contribute towards a greener Commonwealth?

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Do you want to bring change in this world through your writing? Then send in submissions for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024. Before starting the application, make sure to check the eligibility criteria for the Royal Commonwealth Society essay competition to ensure your eligibility.

Eligibility Criteria for the QCEC 2024:

• Applicants of the Senior Category should be between 14-18 years (born between 16 May 2005 and 15 May 2010) and in the Junior Category, applicants should be under 14 years of age (born on or after 16 May 2010).
• The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is an international annual writing contest for students and schools.
• The essay entries must be submitted in the English language. Any other language is not accepted. 
• The word count for Senior Category is 1500, while for the Junior Category, it is 750 words.
• The essays should not contain the personal details of the applicants. Personal details will be given in the application process.
• The essay topics must be selected from those topics provided in the Senior and Junior categories.
• Plagiarism is not allowed, and plagiarized essays will automatically be rejected.

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Do you meet the eligibility criteria above? If yes, keep on reading. The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 for young people is full of benefits. Information about the benefits of the Queen’s international essay contest is provided in this section. So please read it carefully without skipping any points.

Benefits of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024:

• Winners in both categories of the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition will get a one week trip to London to attend educational and cultural events.
• They will also be part of the Special Awards Ceremony at a Royal Palace.
• Moreover, outstanding entries will receive Gold, Silver, and Bronze Awards for their exceptional writing.
• Successful participants will receive a certificate of participation. 
• The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is a great contest for international recognition and networking opportunities. 
• Applicants will be able to improve their writing skills and learn how to write for international platforms and contests.

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Application Process:

• Wondering how to apply for the Queen’s Commonwealth Contest? The application process for the essay competition 2024 is easy and online.
• Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements for the Commonwealth Essay Competition.
• The applicant must start the application process for QCEC2024 through the link given below. Click on ‘Start’ and select the group or individual submission, then provide personal details and category of submission, email address, nationality, country of residence, topic, title, word count and more details.
• At the end of the application, upload an essay entry or copy/paste it and then submit the form.
• Make sure to submit your application before the QCEC 2024 deadline.

Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 Application Deadline:

• The deadline to apply for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 is 15 May 2024 . 

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• March 24, 2024
• Commonwealth , Competition , contest , essay competition , Essay writing , International Essay Competition 2024 , May 2024 , Queen Elizabeth Commonwealth

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