This year’s theme, ‘A Young Commonwealth’, recognises that young people account for the majority of the Commonwealth’s population and play a vital role in shaping the world that we live in, now and in years to come.

The Royal Commonwealth Society is inviting young people to share their hopes and concerns for the future, thereby generating an important youth perspective and Commonwealth wide dialogue as the international community gathers to set development goals for the next 15 years.

Click here to download the competition flyer for display in classrooms, to share with friends and for reference to the topics.

The competition is open to young writers aged 18 and under who are living in, or a national of, a Commonwealth country or territory. All entries must be in English and are to be submitted online. Click here for full terms and conditions.

Important dates:

The deadline for entries is 1st May 2015.

The results will be announced early September 2015.

Do you have a question? Please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

For 2015, The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition is run in partnership with Cambridge University Press.Find out more about them here.

Topics: Participants are encouraged to be creative in their response. Answers can be submitted in number of formats, for example: poem, letter, folk tale, script or essay.

Multiple submissions are not allowed and will lead to disqualification. For more information, see the Terms and Conditions.

Want to print the topics? Click here to download the competition flyer!

Junior Category

Born after 1^st May 2001 (under 14 years)

1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of being young?
2. Imagine what the world will be like when you are an old person.
3. I am the future!
4. Imagine you are a young person living in a different part of the Commonwealth. What is life like for you?

Senior Category

Born between 2^nd May 1996 and 1^st May 2001 (14-18 years)

1. What do you hope to achieve in your lifetime?
2. In 2030 you will no longer be young. What changes would you like to see in the world in 15 years’ time?
3. Youth versus experience.
4. Fresh perspectives. What can a young Commonwealth offer?

For more details visit: 2015 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition for Young Writers from Commonwealth Nations.