2009 Commonwealth

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RCS Essay Competition 2008 6/16/08 11:14 AM Page 3

RCS Essay Competition 2008

6/16/08

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3 4 alth onwe m m o C odern The M Aims etition p m o C Prizes Topics Rules

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es

ndidat

r Ca nce fo Guida er to Ent How Form Entry

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The Commonw ealth is a unique global family of member countr 53 ies, encompassin g a multitude of religions and inst cultures, itutions. From A frica to Asia, fro Pacific to the Car m the ibbean, from Eu rope to North A the Commonw merica, ealth’s 1.8 billio n people make quarter of the w up a orld’s populatio n. Moreover, ha population of th lf of the e Commonwea lth is aged 25 or Commonwealth under. countries reflect every stage of ec development, fro onomic m least develope d and highly inde wealthy and indu bted to strialised, and ra nge in size from island like Nauru a Pa , with a populatio cific n of 10,000, to which is 1000 m India, illion strong. Yet members emph English as a com asise mon working la ng uage and share systems of law, similar public administra tion and educat io n. The modern C ommonwealth evolved out of B imperial past. T ritain’s his process was set in motion w Pakistan’s indepe ith India and ndence in 1947 and sealed by th Declaration of 19 e London 49, where the w ord ‘British’ was

dropped from th e association’s tit le to reflect the new reality. In th e following two de cades, the Commonwealth , with its comm itment to racial and national sove equality reignty, became a natural associat choice for many ion of newly independ ent nations. Issu justice became es of racial key as the Com monwealth thre behind the caus w its weight e of freedom an d equality. The Commonw ealth has thus be come a vibrant growing associat and ion of states in tu ne with the mod world. In 1991, ern the Harare Com monwealth Dec set the associatio laration n firmly on a ne w course, prom democracy, good oting governance, hu man rights, the law, and sustaina rule of ble economic an d social developm Today, the Com ent. monwealth cont inues to be an ac in global affairs, tive force helping to build consensus arou world. From a cl nd the ub of former co lonies, it has grow modern internat n into a ional association proud of its dive ready to meet th rsity and e challenges of the future. 3

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cal and important lo ge their and encoura global issues anner. a positive m in n io ss cu dis e areness of th • To raise aw manitarian values u ethical and h e e heart of th th at which lie s. ealth’s etho Commonw

• To highlight

inspires ompetition C ay ss E th weal rganised by e world. O e Common th th r , ar ve o ye l al ry Eve been from ung writers petition has m yo o f o C s e d n th , sa thou alth Society d as a highly ommonwe ly establishe m fir is d the Royal C an ars , enjoying tion project over 100 ye ca u d e al n io running for ternat wealth. d popular in e Common th an t d u e o rd gh u ga re ort thro m and supp much estee ands. tion are: four age b y Competi in a d ss e E is h n lt a a rg monwe etition is o of the Com out the The Comp gh u ro th The aims ls o o : . unity for sch These are tional project ique opport ca n u u d a e e al d b vi o • To pro part in a gl ealth to take nguage in 8 years Commonw ing world la lass A 16-1 ad C le a as h is ngl the use of E 5 years • To promote e way. lass B 14-1 C tiv a fun, attrac or scholastic 3 years r their social ve e at h w , eers from Class C 12-1 le p p ir o e e p th g n ith u w rs • To enable yo compete on equal terms der 12 yea to , d n u Class D un backgro world. dards of around the ROYAL to high stan e ir p as ACH THE E to R le p O o T e p S g IE ge youn RCH 2009 OR ENTR • To encoura olarship and creative writing. Y IS 1 MA ADLINE F T E IE D C O S h WEALTH of modern academic sc od utilisation COMMON go to in le p young peo ion skills. • To stimulate chnology and communicat te information 4

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3 Ages 12-1 rp Prize) Class C Betty Tho d n a b o £250 (B 1st 50 8 2nd £1 Ages 16-1 20 1 £ Class A 3rd l) a ri o 00 0 1 m 0 £ e 5 £ pM 4th 1st phen Kem ssociation Prize) te (S 0 0 3 s 2nd £ Council A wment) Under 12 o 50 (British Class D 3rd £1 (Margaret Best End 20 £200 4th £1 1st 50 5 2nd £1 Ages 14-1 20 ) 1 e £ Class B z Pri 3rd emorial) icia Kelsey M ) tr a d ty a (P e ie 00 c h 0 1 o h 5 £ c S 3 £ Lo alth 4th 1st ila R amsay mmonwe e o h C (S y it 0 0 rs 2 e 2nd £ ridge Univ es ritten on 50 (Camb tion Priz st entry w s 1 e e £ b u nt e Q th d h r to 3 is equivale wealt lasses 00 Common arded in all four C e value of the prize 4th £1 aw ion. Th These are alth Quest relevant Class. e w d n le o b a m is the Com ze in the ble for a d the 4th pri prize availa of the prize is izes l r f o ia P c t l e a ia th sp c a e to Sp ere is lasses. The value side the e Class th spective C owment). ised along d n re a n e E rg In each ag th o ra f s z o e E z h ri c izes ir Alwyn ve local p prize in ea nd, Local Pr entrant (S untries ha Queensla of the 4th o c t a IA g L th in A w R to t T llo S n fo ADA le U a e A iv h , A e u T A eq of t Priz TIGU ralia, C N INICA, s e st N u g u r A a A T u s: g y e n rn z e it la ri est main p universal rio, DOM Commun ictoria, W nto, Onta st uses the ty. The best entry Athletic ustralia, V ro ru n A o T o T y th , lt it c r u n e a o u b S h e ie C c u ITIUS, omm a better so olumbia, Q , KIRIBATI, MAUR stion will Athletic C e C te u a n Q sh re to ngton, ti c rl st ri a B h to ru C r ANDS unity T urch, Welli & NEVIS, nd arts L fo a h m IS it c s m K st rt D o ri ll o a h C N sp A C tb c FALKL football, Auckland, ton Athleti harlton Athletic Foo al class T. KITTS A, the Charl u ELENA, S EALAND C g id Z H n a iv . ri T d W d e S n E in S, TONG , a sw D N e A t n E n N th a e A r IN L m fo U IS ip G le u N O EW U. for eq e eligib PAPUA N CHELLES, SOLOM cotland, VANUAT win £250 Entrants will also b S Y , E e S l. ir , o A sh o SAMO Oxford their sch UK Jersey, TUVALU, prizes. 5

RCS Essay Competition 2008

Class A

6/16/08

Born 1990 - 1992

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1400 - 1750 words

All questions can be answe red by writing an essay or a story which explores the topic in an interesting or relevant way. 1 Can I help you? 2 Bullying is an issue which concerns young people thr oughout the Commonwealth. Why do es it matter and what can be done about it? 3 It is 200 years since Charle s Darwin was born and 15 0 years since the publication of “O n the origin of Species”. In you r view, what evolutionary developm ents are needed to ensure the continuing survival and we ll-being of humanity? 4 EITHER Unlikely friends OR An unexpected friends hip. 5 The match. 6 Commonwealth Question OR Charlton Athletic Comm unity Trust Question.

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Class B

Born 1993 - 1994

1200 - 1500 words

All questions can be answe red by writing an essay or a story which explores the topic in an inte resting or relevant way. 1 Tracks. 2 What makes a good tea cher? 3 Who’s the boss in your family? 4 Sport ~ love it or loathe it? 5 The long way home... 6 Commonwealth Quest ion OR Charlton Athletic Co mmunity Trust Question.

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words 300 - 600 r e t la or orn 1997 ss D B la C our area. words ortage in y 500 - 700 sh l e fu a is cope? 5 - 1996 1 There mmunity. your family Born 199 s l e a o c d lo r of your co w C u r o o e y H d a r le fo Class r l a prove nim nd fo ill do to im of your ided to sta rview an a w t c p te e u ri d in o y sc e t n v to a a a h is h tr 2 You ignment nd us the ch stating w 1 Your ass station. Se short spee a io d te ri ra r W o r newspape live. where you nt for life in a rt ! im ... o w p ie im rv inte most ect for a sw rf re e a p s s e a e tr w y or 3 The da ree plants of my life. 2 What th ? e if you y h xciting day e W st ? . y o p tr u m n ve been lik u n e a h h w T ro ld g u 4 o your co m w I’ t your life do when nwealth about wha t Commo n’t want to n o te d ri re years ago. I e t W iff a d h 5 3 W a hundred tter in a very le rn s letic a o e b liv te n ri o e h e harlton Ath had b time. W C ousin w st c R t fir O n e n ta th is io r d st 4 A visit fo ealth Que coming to ommonw ome h C r u 6 estion. o u country is y Q d n th. rself a ity Trust o u n b o u y r o m g in m in c o ta u C un introd ity a or a mo Commun out the se b c a ti le ry th o A st Question t s harlton u C r 5 Write a R T O y n munit Questio onwealth letic Com h t A assion 6 Comm n o arlt ire such p ion. h st sp C e in u ll Q a tb st Tru y does foo ame’: Wh G l fu ti u n a e uestio ‘The B orld? wealth Q n ealth are o w n m o und the w m m o ro m a o C C e e c n th ha people in would en 1.8 billion r country e u o th y f o in lf s a e Over h hat chang r under. W o 5 2 d e g a ple? young peo f o s e liv the 7

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: g criteria e followin th n o n atio disqualific liable for re . a d s ie if ie cert 8 Entr try is not . n e iv • the en g ntered. of birth is e Class e n to the • no date ate is too old for th in relatio rt id o d sh n a o c • the ng or to y is too lo er Class. entries p • the entr ord count. r u fo n a w re th specified itted mo ealth has subm l o o h ommonw sc C l a y o • the R the perty of e the pro m o c e b s . ie to publish 9 All entr the right h it w ty ie Soc

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en of or re a citiz a o h w ts to studen . n is open r territory o ti ti e n p u m o try o o c C h lt e a h e T 1 or youth monw l, college in a Com o t o n h e sc d si a re ugh itted thro be subm st u m s ie 2 All entr entry form on. is n py of the a o c org ati a y b e school, panied staff of th e accom f b o r st e u b m ies mem 3 All entr ied by a ntry. een certif b s a h ting the e it h whic n subm o ti a is ntrants n a r org ist for E L k c e college o . h C y? nglish n on tten in E your entr be writte st be wri front of st u e u m m . th s .. h ie to u ic tr wh rm 4 All en Have yo entry fo ne entry submit o ched the a ly tt n o A pic count? y a ❑ d the to ates m te word a r E u c R c entry an O a 5 Candid e n M a th O e f d o N a e d titl pic. tal an ❑ M ame, the rst page? a single to tries in to n your n fi SS. xteen en te e A si it L th r it f C W o m R b ❑ ND O only su the top A t y B a a )? E r m e G ls b A num PER possible mber 6 Schoo herever 31 Dece ENTRIES n (w R o r U e e p O b a F l wil 4p eir THAN arly? age they s with th ❑ Used A pages cle ulate the rrespond e lc o a c th c t ? a ll ld a th u d e Class the topic ates sho Number swered from the n ❑ ic a 7 Candid p d to n a a t select the poin 2008 and Kept to ❑ . te a d t a age on th

1 It is the e ssence of t responsibility for wha not interven e in any responsibility or the t 2 Candidat es must pay a and ensure that, within answer wh at they have examiners w ill not cons awards.

3 Examiners expect cand id of English as a written lan of spelling an d punctuatio writing or w ord process in English is th e first, seco nd 4 Prize-win ning entries may v written. Ho wever they will attention in an entertain ing, Qualities sh own by can didat creative wri ting skills, cl arity o story telling, sound scho larsh

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1 It is the e ssence of th e Competiti responsibility on that can for what the didates take y write. Teac not interven full hers and fam e in any way 5 When givi ilies must , which com responsibility ng Comme p romises a ca or the trust nded or Hig Commende ndidate’s on which th hly d awards, e e C o m xaminers w p u e 2 Candidat su ti ti al o n ly is ch ill b oose those ased. es must pay entries whic attention to h av and ensure e sh h ap e and struct the topics w that, within ure, keep to hich have b the specified the point an answer wh een set d demonstra word coun at they have t, te care and th effort on th been asked ey fully examiners w e part of th to do. Othe ill not consi e w rw riter. der them e ise the awards. ligible for th 6 Where ap e prizes and propriate, ca ndidates are encouraged 3 Examiners to carry out expect cand research by idates to sh re ad of English as ing suitable ow a comp a written lan books and ar e te n t an co gu ticles d of spelling an mmand /or by makin age. This in cludes a go d punctuatio g use of the o It d n in is st , writing or w ternet. expected th neat presen andard ord process tation and cl of informatio at they consult more th ing. Examin e ar English is th h an d ers take into an one iden n, attribute e first, seco tifiable sourc quotations b account wh nd or third their source ether e y means of language of s at th e e nd of the en footnotes an the candidat 4 Prize-win try. d list e. ning entries 7 Candidat may vary en written. Ho es must no ormously in wever they t plagiaris th e way they examiners h will invariab attention in are ly engage th ave access to e or copy material. Re an entertain e member th re the internet ing, interest material pu Qualities sh at blished on-l ing or though ader’s and can eas own by can ine. ily identify tful manner. didates may creative wri include origi ting skills, cl 8 In the yo nality, imagin arity of thou story telling, unger Class ation, ght, sincerity es (C and D sound scho are illustrate of voice, sk larship or w ), examiners d, by hand ilful ell-docume enjoy entrie or by using an nted resear d s whic p h o computer ge to graphs, pro ch. nerated imag h vided the ill subject-mat u es st ra tions are re ter of the e levant to th ntry and do e not detract from the w riting.

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BY POST Please complete yo ur entry form in blo ck capitals and attach it to the front of your essay. Send entries to: COMMONWEALT H ESSAY COMPE TITION THE ROYAL COM MONWEALTH SO CIETY 25 NORTHUMBE RLAND AVENUE LONDON WC2N 5AP UK

VIA THE INTER

NET

Full details and an ele ctronic entry form are given on the Competition web pa ge of the RCS webs ite: www.rcsint.org Please read all the inf ormation and follow the instructions care fully. Please make sure that you • give the name of your schoo l as the “subject” of your email. • submit BOTH your entry de tails AND your essay /story as a SINGLE ATTACHME NT to the email. • use a font which is betwee n 11 and 14pt. • check that your page margi ns are no more tha n 3cm in width. Please do not send your essay/story as an email. Send it as attachment. This ma an kes processing your entry much easier.

Telephone Facsimile Email Website

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+ 44 (0) 20 7930 6733 + 44 (0) 20 7930 9705 [email protected] www.rcsint.org

✂

CONTACT DET AILS

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Please write clearly in black ink and tick the appropriate boxes Candidate Details (to be completed by student)

Information from Schools I certify, as a member of staff of the school, that:

Country:

(a) the entry details given here are correct.

Family name:

(b) the student composed and hand-wrote or word-processed this essay.

First name:

(c) a maximum of 4 entries have been submitted by this school for this Class in the Competition.

Date of birth: Name (in capitals): Gender Essay Class Topic number

❏M ❏F ❏A ❏B ❏C ❏D ❏1 ❏2 ❏3 ❏4 ❏5 ❏6

Signature: Name of School: Full School Address:

Exact number of words used: I understand that by submitting this form I take full responsibility for my entry. I certify that it is my own work and does not contain material copied or plagiarised from another source.

Email: Is English the first, second or third/fourth language of the candidate? First

❏

Second

❏

Third/fourth

❏

✂

Special prize: Is there a relevant disability which would entitle the candidate Signature:

Date:

to be considered for one of the Special Prizes? Yes If so, please specify:

❏

No

❏

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Commonwealth Essay Competition The Royal Commonwealth Society 25 Northumberland Avenue London WC2N 5AP UK Telephone: + 44 (0) 20 7930 6733 Facsimile: + 44 (0) 20 7930 9705 Email: [email protected] Website: www.rcsint.org Reg. Charity 226748 With special thanks to Charlton Athletic Community Trust Acknowledgements: Front and Back cover: School children in Tamil Nadu, South India Picture credit: Claire Anholt, RCS

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Designed and produced by Quattro. Tel: +44 (0)20 7766 5225

RCS Essay Competition 2008