The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 Now Open

The Royal Commonwealth Society is pleased to announce the theme for The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023.

Application Deadline: 30th June 2023

Eligible Countries: all Commonwealth countries and territories.

About the Award:

SENIOR CATEGORY ((born between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2009) 14-18 years of age) 

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1. As Head of the Commonwealth His Majesty The King is opening an international conference on the importance of young people in decision making. Write his speech. 
2. Does age matter? 
3. The 2023 Year of Youth was a moment of significant social change – what was its impact on the world? 
4. Script a dialogue between two people, with contrasting viewpoints, on an issue that divides generations. 

JUNIOR CATEGORY ((born on or after 1 July 2009) under 14 years of age)

1. In fiction and throughout history, young people have performed numerous acts of heroism. Choose your favourite young hero and write to them about why you admire them.
2. What is your youthful superpower, and how can it make a positive difference to the world?
3. You have been stranded on a planet where everyone is 18 or under. Journal your experience.
4. Why does your voice matter?

Offered Since: 1883

Eligibility: Entries will be disqualified if they fail to meet any of the following requirements:

1. The competition is open to nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories, as well as residents of Hong Kong and Zimbabwe. Residents of non-Commonwealth countries whose entries are submitted through their local RCS branch are also eligible.
2. Entries must be written in English. 
3. Entrants must select a Senior or Junior topic depending on their age on 30 June 2023. Senior entrants must be born between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2009 (14-18 years) and Junior entrants must be born after 1 July 2009 (under 14 years of age).
4. The maximum word counts are 1,500 words for Senior entries and 750 words for Junior There is no minimum word count. These word limits apply to all topics and all formats (essay, poem, letter, etc). Exceeding the word count will result in automatic disqualification. References and foot notes are not included in the word count.
5. Only one entry per participant will be accepted. Please carefully check and edit your writing before submitting the final copy, and also ensure that all supplementary information is filled in correctly (name, contact details, etc.)
6. Uploaded entries should not include the entrant’s personal details (e.g. name, age, school, etc.). This information should be entered during the submission process.
7. Plagiarism is not accepted in the competition. Every year a number of students are disqualified because they are suspected of plagiarism.
8. The final copy submitted for the competition must be the entrant’s own work, and cannot be excessively corrected or improved by another person. This does not rule out input or assistance from others but does exclude group entries.  
9. By entering the competition, you agree that your personal details (e.g. full name, contact details, school, entry, etc.) will be retained by the Royal Commonwealth Society in line with its Privacy Policy and may be shared with Royal Commonwealth Society partners for the purpose of delivering the competition, and its other charitable purposes. See our Privacy Policy for more information. Please note: QCEC Winners and Runners-up will have their full names, schools, entries and photographs displayed on the RCS website and social media channels.
10. Essays can only be uploaded as a Microsoft Word document (.doc or .docx) or in PDF format (.pdf). The online platform does not accept Google Docs (.gdoc), Pages documents (.pages) or other word processor formats. If we are unable to find or open your essay file (either through an incorrect format or upload error), your entry may not be counted in the competition.
11. All entries must be written on, and relevant to, one of the listed topics in the relevant age category.
12. All online entries must be submitted before 23:59 BST on 30^th June 2023; any offline entries must arrive at the Royal Commonwealth Society office in London by 30^th June 2023 or they will not be counted.
13. All entrants retain the copyright rights that they have for the pieces they submit, but by entering The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, each contestant consents to the use of his/her/their name and/or pieces, or parts thereof, in any advertisements, educational materials, corpus research, media and promotional materials or fundraising activities carried out or produced by the Royal Commonwealth Society, and its authorised partners, without further notice or compensation. The Royal Commonwealth Society can publish or decline to publish, use or decline to use, any submitted pieces at the Royal Commonwealth Society’s sole discretion.
14. The RCS retains the right to change the prize of the competition if circumstances make this necessary. 
15. The RCS will only be able to publish on our website and in our literature content that is appropriate for a wide and diverse audience, in line with our own policies. Entrants are encouraged to consider this in relation to their use of language when entering the competition. 
16. The RCS retains the right to alter, amend and/or update these terms and conditions at any point in time.

Value of Award: 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. Local RCS branches often hold local and regional ceremonies or offer prizes so if you were made aware of the competition by your local RCS branch, please contact them after the competition closes on 30^th June to inquire about any activities they might have planned.

How to Enter: Please visit the ‘Terms and Conditions’ page and Competition Webpage before submitting your entry.

Visit Competition Webpage for details