‘A Connected Commonwealth’ Interested in current issues? Want to express your ideas globally? Ready to write about it?

What is the Competition? The largest creative writing programme for under-18s that invites entries from all across the Commonwealth. The world’s oldest schools’ writing competition – started 136 years ago! An opportunity to write on an important current topic, share your views and experiences on a global platform and get your voice heard.

What is The Royal Commonwealth Society? The organisation that runs the Competition. The Society was founded 150 years ago It is a network of individuals and organisations committed to improving the lives and prospects of Commonwealth citizens across the world. Promotes the values of the Commonwealth through youth empowerment, education and advocacy

Why should I enter? This Competition will help you… Develop written English and critical thinking skills Think creatively and imagine other people’s experience Gain recognition for your hard work Share your ideas with thousands of readers Experiment with different forms of writing

What could I win? Each year 4 Winners will be brought to London to take part in a ‘Winners’ Week’ programme of activities, typically including an Awards Ceremony at Buckingham Palace! In the past, Winners have received signed books and gold pens as prizes. Gold, Silver and Bronze Certificates are awarded to excellent entries Every child who enters the Competition receives a ‘Certificate of Participation’ Schools receive a Certificate too.

Why me? We want the Competition to include the whole Commonwealth but at the moment, we don’t receive many entries from your country – let’s change that! Young people make up 60% of the Commonwealth – your voice is important and your story deserves to be shared. If you want to be a writer, journalist, film-maker, politician or director, this Competition will help you gain the skills you need to get there.

2019 Theme – A Connected Commonwealth What do they make you think of? Senior Category Born between 2 June 2000 and 1 June 2005 (14-18 years of age) ‘You are the most optimistic, connected generation the world has ever known.’ HRH The Duke of Sussex. How can you use Commonwealth connections for positive change? Connected by the oceans; can we work together to protect the environment? ‘We are all now connected by the Internet’ – Stephen Hawking. What does the future hold for humankind? Family, Community, Nation, Commonwealth. What are the opportunities for shared, sustainable growth? Junior Category Born before 2 June 2005 (under 14 years of age) My cultural connections. An overseas visitor is coming to your town for the first time. How would you connect with them? A place I feel connected to. The Commonwealth connects people across borders - what can we learn from our neighbours? What do they make you think of?

(in groups or altogether, depending on numbers) Activity – Spark a Story (in groups or altogether, depending on numbers) Name 5 Commonwealth Cities Choose 1 – What do you think life would be like there? How are you connected with the people there? What might be difficult for you if you moved there? What would be the best bit? Imagine what the future might be like in that City and what the future might be like in your Community. Will you face the same challenges? 4. Write a story, poem, speech or letter based on these observations. It could be from both perspectives, maybe even from a bird who flies between both countries… Top Tip: Think about challenges in security, the environment, technology, government, migration.

How do I enter? We want all young people across the Commonwealth to be able to enter The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition regardless of education, location and background. To achieve this, we are working to create a brand-new, user friendly and secure platform that works on all devices. We're so excited to share this new platform and hopefully encourage a wider range of young people to enter - however, it's not quite ready yet. As the theme and topics for 2019 have now been announced, we encourage you to begin working on your entries. Once the new platform is unveiled in early 2019, you can visit the site and upload your entry!

Where will my writing be shared? Winning entries and a review of Winners’ Week are published in Voices, The Royal Commonwealth Society’s magazine and in a blog online. Worldreader provides reading apps which allow anyone, anywhere to access ebooks. They reach readers in 46 countries, providing them with 42,233 book titles in 43 languages. Our winning essays are turned in to an ebook and uploaded.

Timeline 1st June Competition Closes November July Competition Launches July Judges mark the entries November Award Ceremony and Winners Week September Winners are announced! October The next Competition is announced

Any Questions?