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The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

We are delighted to share that the 2023 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is open to entries for writers aged under 18, who are nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories, as well as residents of Hong Kong, Ireland, and Zimbabwe.

The competition asks entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

• 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.

For full details, please refer here .

Enquiries about submissions should be directed to the Royal Commonwealth Society, please always refer to their website for complete details and information. 

Please note, this prize is run by the Royal Commonwealth Society, not the Commonwealth Foundation.

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Launch: The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

To mark the 50th Anniversary of the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Commonwealth Heads of Government declared 2023 a year dedicated to youth-led action for sustainable and inclusive development and called on a renewal and strengthening of our commitment to youth engagement and empowerment.

Of the Commonwealth’s population of almost 2.5 billion people, 60% are under the age of 30. This young demographic represents a dynamic ‘youth force for change’, made up of exceptional young people who are increasingly involved in advocacy, decision-making and action.The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 asks entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

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

For more information visit: https://www.royalcwsociety.org/qcec2023

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

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.

Does age matter?

The 2023 Year of Youth was a moment of significant social change – what was its impact on the world?

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)

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.

What is your youthful superpower, and how can it make a positive difference to the world?

You have been stranded on a planet where everyone is 18 or under. Journal your experience.

Why does your voice matter?

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The queen’s commonwealth essay competition 2023.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 asks entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 is now open for entries until 30 June 2023 . The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest international writing competition. 2023 marks 140 years since it was established in 1883. With thousands of young people taking part every year, it is an important way to recognize achievement, elevate youth voices and develop key skills through creative writing.

Categories:

• Senior Category The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

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

• 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. 
• Does age matter? 
• The 2023 Year of Youth was a moment of significant social change – what was its impact on the world? 
• Script a dialogue between two people, with contrasting viewpoints, on an issue that divides generations. 

2. Junior Category    The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

(Born on or after 1 July 2009; under 14 years of age )

• 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.
• What is your youthful superpower, and how can it make a positive difference to the world?
• You have been stranded on a planet where everyone is 18 or under. Journal your experience.
• Why does your voice matter?

For more information and submission, kindly please VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE

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Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023

Of the Commonwealth’s population of almost 2.5 billion people, 60% are under the age of 30. This young demographic represents a dynamic ‘youth force for change’, made up of exceptional young people who are increasingly involved in advocacy, decision-making and action.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 asks entrants to explore the power young people hold within the global community and consider how this power can be harnessed to make a meaningful impact in the world.

​ The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 is now open for entries until 30 June 2023.  

See here for T&C's and how to submit your entry

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The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 Now Open

Ifeoma Chuks

April 3, 2023

The Royal Commonwealth Society is pleased to announce the theme for The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 202 3.

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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• 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. 
• Does age matter? 
• The 2023 Year of Youth was a moment of significant social change – what was its impact on the world? 
• 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)

• 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.
• What is your youthful superpower, and how can it make a positive difference to the world?
• You have been stranded on a planet where everyone is 18 or under. Journal your experience.
• Why does your voice matter?

Offered Since: 1883

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

• 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.
• Entries must be written in English. 
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.)
• 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.
• Plagiarism is not accepted in the competition. Every year a number of students are disqualified because they are suspected of plagiarism.
• 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.  
• 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.
• 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.
• All entries must be written on, and relevant to, one of the listed topics in the relevant age category.
• 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.
• 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.
• The RCS retains the right to change the prize of the competition if circumstances make this necessary. 
• 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. 
• 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

Ifeoma Chuks is a naturally-skilled writer. She has written and contributed to more than 6000 articles all over the internet that have formed solid experiences for particularly aspiring, young people around the globe.

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The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2023 is now open for entries until 30 June 2023

DEADLINE: 30 June 2023

Of the Commonwealth’s population of almost 2.5 billion people, 60% are under the age of 30. This young demographic represents a dynamic ‘youth force for change’, made up of exceptional young people who are increasingly involved in advocacy, decision-making and action.

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

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

View further information about the competition on the 2023 flyer. 

Click here to apply online: the queen’s commonwealth essay competition 2023.

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Local News | Westmoor student wins first place in state…

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Local News | Westmoor student wins first place in state division of national essay contest on the stock market

According to a news release, Anthony placed first in the state of Illinois in the Elementary School Division of the Spring 2024 InvestWrite national essay competition.

Last spring, 4th- and 5th-grade Westmoor students participated in The Stock Market Game, a financial education program challenging students to manage a hypothetical $100,000 online portfolio of stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cash, the release said. The game and the essay contest are sponsored by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association Foundation (SIFMA) Foundation. The foundation delivered a cache of prizes to Anthony after his essay was named the best in the state in the elementary division. In total, 959 students participated in the competition nationally.

Anthony’s 4th-grade teacher, Nick Grigolo, presented the award to Anthony on Monday in front of his classmates. Anthony’s team invested in a number of sporting goods and other companies including Lululemon, according to the release. His essay recaps his experience investing in the Stock Market Game and offers the golden rule of advice in stocks: “Buy low, sell high.”

“Mr. Sylvano (the 4th grade literacy teacher) taught me to really like literacy and writing and I wanted to try my best to see if I could win anything,” Anthony said in the release. “I thought I might make it in the top ten but I didn’t think I would win!”

“Anthony has so much going for him. He is hardworking and kind but what really impresses me is his ability and desire to go above and beyond what is expected of him as student. Good isn’t good enough. Anthony always gives his very best,” Grigolo said.

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Individuals identifying themselves as local authorities and FSB agents had for the past month summoned the winners' teachers in dozens of regions, the NGO said in a statement Tuesday. The officials allegedly pressured the teachers to stop working with Memorial and summoned some of the students who participated for “preventive conversations.”

The similarities between the visits as well as their timing suggest that they “are not a local initiative, but a top-down directive,” Memorial said in a statement.

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QCEC Resources

To support aspiring young writers beginning to work on their pieces, the Royal Commonwealth Society has created the below resources for use individually or in groups.

The  Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition  encourages entries from all young people across the Commonwealth, regardless of background, location or education level. Entries can be written in any form of creative writing, such as poems, speeches, stories or essays.

Here you can find promotional posters and flyers to display in classrooms, libraries and noticeboards alongside a supporting presentation and lesson plan to help teachers, parents and carers to explain the competition and encourage children to start writing.

Entries will be accepted between 15 March 2024 and 15 May 2024. Enter the competition now .