The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024

The theme for the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which will take place in Samoa in October 2024, is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming the Common Wealth’.

Nearly half of Commonwealth countries are Small Island Developing States like Samoa that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Communities across the Commonwealth are also facing a range of challenges, including economic growth, peace and security. Creating strong and resilient societies is now more important than ever.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024 asks entrants to consider how they deal with adversity, and how community and culture can be used to encourage resilience and hope in a world with a growing number of global issues.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest international writing competition. 2024 marks 75 years of the Commonwealth. With thousands of young people taking part every year, it is an important way to recognise achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.

Top Prize

• The top two winners from each category will be awarded with a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony at a royal palace.

Awards

• All successful entries will receive a Certificate of Participation and a number of entrants will receive Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards for excellence in writing.

Categories and Criteria

• 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).

For more information, visit Royal Commonwealth Society.