Climate Action and the Commonwealth

The Royal Commonwealth Society is pleased to announce that The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2020 was launched in Christchurch, New Zealand by the Society’s Vice-Patron HRH The Duchess of Cornwall on the theme ‘Climate Action and the Commonwealth’.

Building upon the 2019 theme of A Connected Commonwealth, this year’s topics draw on the increasing youth movement across the Commonwealth and the ongoing climate crisis. Young people are called upon to consider their position and power in bringing about change, and how the Commonwealth can be used as a tool for positive action. Our Final Panel of expert judges described entries to the competition in 2019 as ‘massively memorable’, ‘original’ and ‘very powerful’. We expect a similarly high calibre of writing for 2020.

For 2020, we want to hear from all young people, regardless of age, education or region.  All stories are important and all voices matter.

Topics

SENIOR CATEGORY

Born between 1 July 2002 and 30 June 2006 (14-18 years of age)

1. Imagine you are President of one of the Commonwealth’s 31 Small States and you have been invited to give a speech on Climate Change to other Commonwealth leaders, what will you say
2. There is no Planet B: How will Climate Change affect you and your community?
3. ‘We will never stop fighting for this planet’ – Greta Thunberg. How can young people make change happen?
4. The destruction of the Oceans everyone’s concern.

JUNIOR CATEGORY

Born on or after 1 July 2006 (under 14 years of age)

1. Imagine you are Planet Earth, what would you say to Humans?
2. A Blue Commonwealth: it is not too late to save our oceans. True or False?
3. In 2019, students in more than 100 countries walked out of school to protest climate change. How can young people get their voices heard and make a difference?
4. My planet, my place.

Eligibility :

The QCEC is open to all citizens and residents of the Commonwealth aged 18 and under and is open until 30 June 2020. All entrants receive a Certificate of Participation and one Winner and Runner-up from the Senior and Junior categories will win a trip to London for a week of educational and cultural events. For more information about the competition, please visit Terms and Conditions and Frequently Asked Questions.

The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is delighted to welcome Moomin Characters as principle sponsor of the programme for 2020.

The Moomins, created by the Finnish artist Tove Jansson, are a family of friendly, brave trolls who live an adventurous life in the idyllic and peaceful Moominvalley in harmony with nature. The original Moomin books have been translated into more than 50 languages and are much loved across the Commonwealth and beyond.

History of the Essay Competition

The RCS has a rich history of nurturing the creative talents of young people around the Commonwealth. We endeavour to promote literacy, expression and creativity by celebrating excellence and imagination. Run by the RCS since 1883, this international schools’ writing contest is a highly regarded and popular international education project.

In 2015, the contest was renamed ‘The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition’, in honour of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s role as both Head of the Commonwealth and Patron of The Royal Commonwealth Society.