Deadline: May 1, 2016
The Royal Commonwealth Society invites entries for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2016. The essay competition offers young people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to make their voices heard on a global platform, to engage with issues important to them and to express their aspirations for the future. Each year, participants demonstrate their ability to stimulate and provoke discussions about important Commonwealth and global issues from a young person’s perspective and to showcase their critical and creative skills.
Prizes
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 September 2016.
Past prizes have included certificates, resources for winner’s school, visits to Cambridge University, a trip to London and a week of activities, work experience at international organisations, and having your entry featured in worldwide media. RCS regional and branch offices often hold ceremonies or offer prizes.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the role, applicants must:
- be over 18 years old
- have an interest in the Commonwealth and/or international affairs
- have an active interest in writing and/or literature and a high degree of competency in English
- be available for a total of 25-30 hours between 16th May to 27th June (6 weeks), in order to judge 100+ scripts
- have reliable access to a computer and internet in this period
Requirements
- The competition is open to nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories. Note: Special dispensation applies to entrants from Hong Kong, Ireland, The Gambia and Zimbabwe, who are entitled to enter the competition.
- Entrants must select a Senior or Junior topic depending on their age on 1st May 2016. Senior entrants must be born between 2nd May 1997 and 1st May 2002 (14-18) and Junior entrants must be born after 1st May 2002 (under 14 years of age).
- The maximum word counts are 1500 words for Senior entries and 750 words for Junior entries. These word limits apply to all topics and all formats (essay, poem, letter, etc). Exceeding the word count will result in automatic disqualification.
- Entries must be written in English.
- Only one essay per entrant is allowed. Once an essay is submitted, students/teachers will not have the opportunity to revise it. Please carefully check and improve you writing before submitting the final copy, and also ensure that all supplementary information is filled in correctly (name, contact details, topic number, etc.)
- Read the terms and conditions carefully before you apply
How to Enter
- Entries should be submitted online for the 2016 competition. However, offline submissions will be accepted where secure internet connection is an issue.
- If you are submitting your entry by post, please complete an entry form in block capitals and attach it to the front of your essay. Entries should be sent to your nearest postal hub here.
For more information, visit Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.
