Deadline: 1 May 2017
The Royal Commonwealth Society is seeking applications for its The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2017 under the theme “A Commonwealth for Peace”.
Building upon the 2016 theme of An Inclusive Commonwealth, this year’s topics ask for a more active understanding of the role of the Commonwealth as a network of and for democracy, Human Rights and peace. The society is asking young writers to explore peace at every level, from the personal to the political to the pan-Commonwealth.
This year’s theme asks young writers to explore the meaning, process and importance of peace in the Commonwealth and beyond.
Topics
Junior Categories
- What is in applicant’s Toolbox for Peace?
- My peaceful place.
- How can children and young people come together to build a peaceful society?
- ‘Peace cannot be learnt from a book or from religion. Applicants have to reach out and touch the nations.’ How does this relate to the Commonwealth?
Senior Categories
- Peace.
- Should applicants fight for peace?
- Kofi Annan said ‘Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name.’ Do applicants agree? Answer with reference to their country and/or the Commonwealth.
- What is the cost of peace?
Awards
- One Winner and Runner-up will be chosen from each category. Winners and Runners-up will be flown to London for a week of educational and cultural events, culminating in a special Awards Ceremony.
- A number of Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be given in both the Senior and Junior categories, rewarding excellence in writing. All entrants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Eligibility Criteria
- The competition is open to nationals or residents of all Commonwealth countries and territories.
- Note: Special dispensation applies to entrants from Hong Kong, Ireland, The Gambia and Zimbabwe, who are entitled to enter the competition.
- Entrants must select a Senior or Junior topic depending on their age on 1st May 2017. Senior entrants must be born between 2nd May 1998 and 1st May 2003 (14-18) and Junior entrants must be born after 1st May 2003 (under 14 years of age).
- The maximum word counts are 1,500 words for Senior entries and 750 words for Junior entries. These word limits apply to all topics and all formats (essay, poem, letter, etc). Exceeding the word count will result in automatic disqualification.
- Entries must be written in English.
- Entrants are asked to present their work in the format that best conveys their message, be that an essay, poem, story, folk tale, script, reportage, monologue or other written style. Photos and drawings are encouraged, particularly in the Junior Category.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via given website.
Eligible Countries
- Africa: Botswana, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Swaziland, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia
- Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, The, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and The Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago
- Asia: Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, India, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka
- Europe: Cyprus, Malta, United Kingdom
- Pacific: Australia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
For more information, please visit The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2017.