Deadline: June 30, 2020
Applications are open for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2020. The competition was launched in Christchurch, New Zealand by the Royal Commonwealth Society’s Vice-Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall on the theme ‘Climate Action and the Commonwealth’.
Building upon the 2019 theme of A Connected Commonwealth, this year’s topics draw on the increasing youth movement across the Commonwealth and the ongoing climate crisis. Young people are called upon to consider their position and power in bringing about change, and how the Commonwealth can be used as a tool for positive action. The Final Panel of expert judges described entries to the competition in 2019 as ‘massively memorable’, ‘original’ and ‘very powerful’. The RCS expects a similarly high calibre of writing for 2020.
Topics
- Senior Category: Born between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2006 (14-18 years of age)
- Imagine you are President of one of the Commonwealth’s 31 Small States and you have been invited to give a speech on Climate Change to other Commonwealth leaders, what will you say?
- There is no Planet B: How will Climate Change affect you and your community?
- ‘We will never stop fighting for this planet’ – Greta Thunberg. How can young people make change happen?
- The destruction of the Oceans everyone’s concern.
- Junior Category: Born on or after July 1, 2006 (under 14 years of age)
- Imagine you are Planet Earth, what would you say to Humans?
- A Blue Commonwealth: it is not too late to save our oceans. True or False?
- In 2019, students in more than 100 countries walked out of school to protest climate change. How can young people get their voices heard and make a difference?
- My planet, my place.
Prizes
- All entrants receive a Certificate of Participation
- 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.
Eligibility
- The QCEC is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth
- Applicants should be aged 18 and under.
Guidance Note
- Participants are expected to show originality and flair, linked to sound academic standards and competent use of English as a written language. This includes a good standard of spelling and punctuation, neat presentation and clear hand-writing or word-processing.
- Entries must respond to the topic. Each year a number of good entrants must be disregarded because they do not fully answer/reflect on what the topic has asked them to do.
- Entrants are encouraged to be creative in their response to a topic. Entries can be submitted in a number of different formats: for example, a poem, letter, article, story, essay or a short play/script.
- Illustrations are welcomed, particularly in Junior entries, but they must enhance the written text and add to the overall quality of the entry.
Application
See the Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to submit your essay
For more information, visit Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition.
