Key details
- Host: Royal Commonwealth Society
- Open to: Commonwealth Countries
- Target: Writers
- Deadline: 30th June, 2021
Applications for the 2021 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition For Aspiring Young Writers are ongoing.
About the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, which began in 1883, is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools. It is an important way to recognize achievement, elevate youth voices, and develop key skills through creative writing, with thousands of young people participating each year.
The theme of the 2021 competition is Community in the Commonwealth. The global spread of COVID-19 has had an impact on the lives of many Commonwealth individuals. Despite this, cultures have come together in the face of adversity, and stories of progress, community, and optimism continue to emerge.
Every year, aspiring young authors are requested to submit works in response to a specific theme. 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) are just a few of the recent topics that have drawn forth unique ideas for good change and encouraged entrants to investigate fresh views. The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition theme is based on Commonwealth values, and it serves as an engaging introduction to the network, allowing young people to explore their own connections to the Commonwealth while also encouraging empathy and an open mind.
Eligibility Criteria
- 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.
Categories
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is divided into two 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?
Benefit
- 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.
- 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
Also read: Africa@2050 Climate Fiction Writing Competition 2021 for African Writers
Application Procedure
Interested candidates can submit their entries by clicking the button below:
For more information see FAQs or visit the official website of Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition