Open for Applications: Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024

The 2024 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is now open for aspiring young writers across Commonwealth nations.

Winners and runners-up will have the exciting opportunity to embark on a week-long journey to London, participating in enriching educational and cultural experiences. The pinnacle of this journey will be the prestigious Awards Ceremony held at the Royal Palace in London.

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Contained within this post are comprehensive details, prerequisites, essay directives, and a detailed guide on how to navigate the application process for the Commonwealth Essay Competition.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, you must:

Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country
Be under 18 years of age
Choose to answer one of the topics, and you are encouraged to interpret this in any way you wish.
Think carefully about the form of writing you use to answer the topic. There are a variety of forms and styles to play with.
Make sure to use your own voice and your own words. Judges are very good at spotting work that is not original.
We understand that English is a diverse language and there are different and innovative ways of using it around the Commonwealth. We encourage diversity and creativity of language in submissions.
Ensure you take into account grammar and punctuation whilst writing your piece. Do not submit an entry without proof-reading.
Presentation is important: think about the visual appearance of the entry as well as the quality of the content.

Benefits of Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

One Winner and Runner Up will be chosen from each category.
Winners and Runners Up (accompanied by one adult/guardian) will be brought to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony.
A number of Gold Finalist, 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.

Guidelines for Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition

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).