Background

Run by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883, the Commonwealth Essay Competition is an international schools’ writing contest – the world's oldest and largest – is a highly regarded and popular international education project which run by the Royal Commonwealth Society in partnership with Cambridge University Press.

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In 2015, the contest was renamed ‘The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition’, in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s role as both Head of the Commonwealth and Patron of the Royal Commonwealth Society.

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Singapore regularly does very well in this competition and has the most entries from a single Commonwealth country. In The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2016 with the overarching theme for 2016 is ‘An Inclusive Commonwealth’, the winner and runner up of the Junior Category are from SIngapore.

The topics are a chance to develop critical thinking and to express views in a creative manner. The theme for 2019 is A Connected Commonwealth. Building on the 2018 theme of Towards a Common Future, this year’s topics call upon young people to consider how they can work to use cultural, technological and environmental connections for positive change across the Commonwealth.  It asks young people to consider the potential of the Commonwealth in strengthening the vast and varied links between citizens.

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Open to all Commonwealth citizens aged under 18, the essay competition offers young people from diverse backgrounds the opportunity to make their voices heard on a global platform, to engage with issues important to them and to express their aspirations for the future. Each year, participants demonstrate their ability to stimulate and provoke discussions about important Commonwealth and global issues from a young person’s perspective and to showcase their critical and creative skills.

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The information about the competition including the entry rules and essay topics can be found here: www.thercs.org/competition

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About the Competition Organiser:

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The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS), founded in 1868, is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Through youth empowerment, education and advocacy, the RCS promotes the value and values of the Commonwealth. www.thercs.org
 

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The Competition Partners:

Cambridge University Press is the publishing business of the University of Cambridge. Granted letters patent by Henry VIII in 1534, it is the world’s oldest publishing house and the second-largest university press in the world. Cambridge University Press has been a sponsor of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition since 2013. www.cambridge.org
 

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Media Enquiries:

Anja Nielsen, Programmes Officer (Youth and Education) and manager of The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, The Royal Commonwealth Society
T: +44 (0)20 3727 4306 | E: anja.nielsen@thercs.org