COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION 2024 APPLY HERE

Table of Contents

COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION 2023

ABOUT THE QUEEN’S COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition (QCEC) is the world’s oldest international writing competition for schools and has been delivered by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883. It has been delivered in Her Majesty The Queen’s name since 2015, in recognition of Her Late Majesty The Queen’s selfless commitment to the Commonwealth and, in the past decade alone, the competition has engaged over 100,000 young people, over 5,000 schools and around 1,000 volunteer judges.

The QCEC seeks to introduce young people from disadvantaged backgrounds, under-represented demographics and remote communities to the idea of writing for fun, developing key literacy skills and working to increase academic attainment. Through its promotion of literacy and writing skills, the QCEC contributes to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) in over 60 countries and territories and the Society aims to reach even more young people throughout the Commonwealth in the coming years through our digital literacy initiative.

Each year, young people write on a theme that stems from the Commonwealth’s values and principles, developing key literacy skills whilst also fostering an empathetic and open-minded world view. Recent themes have focused on the environment, inclusion, the role of youth leadership, and gender equality. Their pieces drew out innovative ideas for positive change and encouraged young people to consider new perspectives.

Past winners have gone on to become leaders in their fields, including the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Mei Fong, and the renowned author, the late Elspeth Huxley CBE.

As Vice-Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society Her Majesty The Queen Consort is a passionate supporter of shining a spotlight on the importance of literacy across the Commonwealth. Annually, winners of the QCEC are invited to travel to the United Kingdom for a week of educational and cultural activities, which culminates in a special Awards Ceremony, held at Buckingham Palace, that is hosted by Her Majesty. As part of the BBC’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II, our Vice-Patron spoke to the BBC Cultural Frontline about the importance of literacy and the competition for a special programme, ‘Celebrating Commonwealth writing’ with previous competition winners Hiya Chowdhury and Ethan Charles Mufuma.

GES RELEASE

The Royal Commonwealth Society is inviting youth of Commonwealth Member States to participate in the Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023.

This longstanding writing contest has been in existence since 1883, is globally recognized as the oldest international competition in its category and continues to attract a significant number of participants each year.

The competition is open for entry until 30th June, 2023 and is in the following categories;

i. Senior Category (Born between 1st July, 2004 and 30th June, 2009 [14-18years])

ii. Junior Category (Born on or after 1st July, 2009 [Under 14 years of age])

The Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 will award two winners from each category with an opportunity to travel to London.

The trip will include a week-long program of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Award ceremony at the royal palace.

Please find attached the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 circular for your necessary action.

Kindly, disseminate this information to schools within your jurisdictions for the attention of interested eligible students to encourage their participation.

HOW TO APPLY

Visit the common wealth society website

use the Link

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 is now open for entries until 30 June 2023. Please use the widget below or Use the Link Below to Apply directly this link to submit your entries.