COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION 2025
Our Commonwealth Journey
Journeys are a fundamental aspect of our lives, helping us to explore, to learn, and to
grow. Throughout history, nations, communities and individuals have undertaken
their own journeys, navigating the tides of an ever-changing world.
Since its founding in 1949, the Commonwealth has undertaken many journeys to
evolve into its current form, with 56 member countries, and recently celebrating its
75th anniversary. There are also many great journeys to be had within the
Commonwealth, which spans five continents, is responsible for a third of the world’s
oceans and has a hugely diverse population of 2.7 billion people.
The Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition 2025, therefore, asks entrants to
consider the relevance of journeys in a Commonwealth context, whether
geographical, historical or personal. What journeys the Commonwealth has taken or
may take in the future, as well as to reflect on their own individual journeys.
COMMONWEALTH ESSAY COMPETITION 2025
The Commonwealth is
a voluntary network of
56 countries, based on a
shared English language
and the key values of
democracy, equality,
tolerance, human rights
and the rule of law.
ABOUT THE COMPETITION SENIOR CATEGORY - (14-18 YEARS OF AGE)
The Queen’s Commonwealth Word Count: maximum of 1500 words
Essay Competition is the 1. Equal access to education is enshrined in the Commonwealth
world’s oldest international Charter as one of the key values and aspirations that unite the
Commonwealth. While the Commonwealth has come a long way on
writing competition. The the journey towards this, there is still progress to be made. Imagine
competition is open to a Commonwealth in which everyone has the same access to
nationals or residents of all education.
Commonwealth countries 2. National legends and folklore can take us on a journey through
history and culture. Retell a famous folklore from your own or
and territories, as well as another Commonwealth country in a surprising way.
residents of Hong Kong, 3. "Human beings have always needed the connection of literature –its
Ireland, and Zimbabwe. wisdom as well as its sheer escapism.” - Her Majesty Queen Camilla.
Please see our Terms and Books can take us on journeys to the wildest and most unexpected
places! Write about a time a book took you on a journey; how did it
Conditions for more details. affect you?
4. From tiny seeds to large redwoods, trees and plants experience
HOW TO ENTER changes and growth throughout their life cycles. Write a story about
The Queen’s the life journey of a plant growing in the centre of your community;
what does it experience?
Commonwealth Essay
JUNIOR CATEGORY - (UNDER 14 YEARS OF AGE)
Competition is open for
entries between 14 March Word Count: maximum of 750 words
and 23 May 2025. For more 1. Together, we represent a third of humanity, with all the splendidly
diverse complexity that this entails.” - His Majesty King Charles.
information on how to enter Learning new information can take us on journeys to new places.
the competition please visit, Write about a time you learned something interesting about a
www.royalcwsociety.org different Commonwealth country from your own.
2. Commonwealth states range from small island nations like Nauru to
larger countries like India. Write an account of a sea voyage from one
Follow @RoyalCWSociety on Commonwealth country to a small island Commonwealth nation.
Facebook, X and Instagram What do you see, who do you meet?
for writing tips! Email: 3. You embark on a very special journey when you discover a secret
competitions@ door that takes you into your favourite book! What happens next?
royalcwsociety.org with any 4. October 2024 saw Commonwealth leaders travel to Samoa for the
questions. 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
Imagine what an animal CHOGM would look like! Which animals
travel there? What do they discuss?
