Each year, the Commonwealth Essay Competition, run by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883, inspires thousands of young writers from all over the world. It is the world’s oldest and largest schools’ international writing competition. Past winners include Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore and Elspeth Huxley.
Get Started for the 2013 Essay Competition
Are you a writer?
Are you interested in the world around you?
Do you want your voice to be heard by others?
If so, the Commonwealth Essay Competition is definitely for you. You are encouraged to be creative in your response to the topics. You can submit a poem, letter, article, story, essay or even a short play. The choice is yours. Just get writing!
The competition is free to enter and in 2012 over 1,000 young writers, from 245 schools, in 38 countries across the Commonwealth received an award for their entry.
For 2013, the Royal Commonwealth Society is delighted to announce that the Competition will be run in partnership with Cambridge University Press, whose support will enable the organisation to engage even more young writers across the Commonwealth.
The Competition celebrates and nurtures the creative talents of young people across the Commonwealth, providing a platform for students to compete with their peers in each of the 54 nations which make up this unique association.
Entrants are judged in two age groups, Junior (under 14 years) and Senior (14-18 years).
Essay Topic
Junior Category (Born after 1st May 1999)
1. When has hard work paid off for you?
2. Creative thinking saved the day.
3. Tell us about a moment of opportunity which changed the life of your family, community, country, continent or the entire planet.
4. Is change a good thing?
5. Opportunities galore!
Senior Category (Born between 2nd May 1994 and 1st May 1999)
1. A funding agency has asked you to make a pitch for an idea involving schools that would benefit your community.
2. “I knew this was my moment.”
3. Discuss one or more examples of social and/or environmental development where enterprise plays, or could play, a key role in changing the way people live.
4. “How enterprising!” a voice said as I closed the door behind me.
5. Are we too risk-conscious these days?
How to enter competition
For more details download the 2013 Essay Competition leaflet here .
To download the 2013 Essay Competition poster click here .
Application Deadline
The closing date is 1st May 2013 and results will be announced in the autumn of next year, when a Junior and Senior Prize Winner and Runner Up will be announced and judges will make a number of Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards.
Entrants will be able to submit their essays online from the start of 2013.
About the Royal Commonwealth Society
The Royal Commonwealth Society is an international education charity. Aiming to inspire and engage, we promote understanding of international affairs and the modern Commonwealth. Our projects encourage young people to develop their skills, to realise their ambitions and, with an increased awareness of their role as global citizens, to engage with key challenges facing the international community.
Get Started for the 2013 Essay Competition
Are you a writer?
Are you interested in the world around you?
Do you want your voice to be heard by others?
If so, the Commonwealth Essay Competition is definitely for you. You are encouraged to be creative in your response to the topics. You can submit a poem, letter, article, story, essay or even a short play. The choice is yours. Just get writing!
The competition is free to enter and in 2012 over 1,000 young writers, from 245 schools, in 38 countries across the Commonwealth received an award for their entry.
For 2013, the Royal Commonwealth Society is delighted to announce that the Competition will be run in partnership with Cambridge University Press, whose support will enable the organisation to engage even more young writers across the Commonwealth.The Competition celebrates and nurtures the creative talents of young people across the Commonwealth, providing a platform for students to compete with their peers in each of the 54 nations which make up this unique association.
Entrants are judged in two age groups, Junior (under 14 years) and Senior (14-18 years).
Essay Topic
Junior Category (Born after 1st May 1999)
1. When has hard work paid off for you?
2. Creative thinking saved the day.
3. Tell us about a moment of opportunity which changed the life of your family, community, country, continent or the entire planet.
4. Is change a good thing?
5. Opportunities galore!
Senior Category (Born between 2nd May 1994 and 1st May 1999)
1. A funding agency has asked you to make a pitch for an idea involving schools that would benefit your community.
2. “I knew this was my moment.”
3. Discuss one or more examples of social and/or environmental development where enterprise plays, or could play, a key role in changing the way people live.
4. “How enterprising!” a voice said as I closed the door behind me.
5. Are we too risk-conscious these days?
How to enter competition
For more details download the 2013 Essay Competition leaflet here .
To download the 2013 Essay Competition poster click here .
Application Deadline
The closing date is 1st May 2013 and results will be announced in the autumn of next year, when a Junior and Senior Prize Winner and Runner Up will be announced and judges will make a number of Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards.
Entrants will be able to submit their essays online from the start of 2013.
About the Royal Commonwealth Society
The Royal Commonwealth Society is an international education charity. Aiming to inspire and engage, we promote understanding of international affairs and the modern Commonwealth. Our projects encourage young people to develop their skills, to realise their ambitions and, with an increased awareness of their role as global citizens, to engage with key challenges facing the international community.