Deadline: June 30, 2021
Applications are invited for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2021. 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. With the global spread of COVID-19, we’ve seen the lives of many Commonwealth citizens affected. However, through adversity, societies came together and stories of growth, community and hope continue to emerge.
Each year, aspiring young writers are asked to submit their pieces in response to a theme. Recent themes have included Climate Action in the Commonwealth (2020), A Connected Commonwealth (2019), Towards a Common Future (2018), A Commonwealth for Peace (2017) and ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’ (2016); drawing out innovative ideas for positive change and encouraging entrants to consider new perspectives. The theme is rooted in Commonwealth values, providing an interesting introduction to the network and allowing young people to explore their own connection to the Commonwealth, whilst fostering an empathetic and open-minded world view.
Categories
Senior Category
Born between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2007 (14-18 years of age)
- Discuss the following: “The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members.” – Coretta Scott King
- Keeping connected through COVID-19. It’s been 30 years since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, what does the world look like
- Imagine you are the Head of a Commonwealth nation heavily affected by COVID-19 and giving a national address at the end of the pandemic. What would you say to your community?
Junior Category
Born on or after 1 July 2007 (under 14 years of age)
- The year is 2050 and you’ve been asked to write about the coronavirus pandemic for a museum. What story would you tell?
- Tell a story of how you, or someone you know, helped others during the pandemic.
- ‘We will be with our friends again. We will be with our families
again. We will meet again’ – HM Queen Elizabeth II
After the pandemic, you are seeing a friend for the first time. What new hobbies would you share with them? - What did you miss most during the pandemic?
Prizes
- One winner and runner-up will be chosen from each category.
- Winners and runners-up will be brought to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony.
- A number of 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
Eligibility
- Open to nationals and residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories aged 18 and under are eligible to enter the competition, including entrants from Zimbabwe.
- All entries must be written in English
- 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.
Application
At the end of the online submission process, you will receive a notice that your entry has been successfully submitted. This notice will contain a unique identification number, which will also be emailed to your nominated email address. If you are encountering difficulties, please email [email protected] for assistance.
Click here to enter the competition
For more information, see FAQs and visit QCEC.
