The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) in Hong Kong
Celebrating Commonwealth Culture
The Royal Commonwealth Society (RCS) in Hong Kong
Celebrating Commonwealth Culture
Write around the World. This is an international youth writing contest that inspires and gives a voice to thousands of young people every year, providing them with an opportunity to share their thoughts, stories and dreams for the future. South African participant, Nicola Lazenby, says: it have been to every continent in the world, and one thing does not change; there is nothing if there is not language and communication. If the young people can know this, they can write about it in stories and experience or facts and reports and ideally, eventually and with my greatest hopes, begin to understand one another in important ways.
2026: Waves of Change The Royal Commonwealth Society has opened its 2026 youth photography competition, and this year the focus is water. Oceans, rivers, coastlines, and the ways they’re shifting.
If you’re aged 18 to 30 and hold Commonwealth citizenship, you can enter. The competition asks young photographers to look at our oceans and waterways and capture the change they carry, whether that’s damage, recovery, or the people whose lives are bound up with the water.
The Royal Commonwealth Society is working to stop one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways. It’s a shared goal across the Commonwealth, run in partnership with Commonwealth Sport, and it depends on people organising and taking part in clean-ups wherever they are.
The campaign also runs a sustainability relay alongside Commonwealth Sport, bringing together athletes, young people, conservation groups, and local communities for country-specific weeks of action.
There are a few ways to get involved.
To find out more go to : https://www.royalcwsociety.org/post/the-queens-commonwealth-writing-competition-2026
Calling all young writers across the Commonwealth! The Royal Commonwealth Society is thrilled to announce a major evolution of its iconic youth initiative. Formerly known as the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition, this globally celebrated programme now has a fresh new identity: The Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition.
This exciting rebrand signals a broader, more inclusive approach to writing, embracing creativity in all forms. From essays to poetry, storytelling, and beyond, young people under 18 can now share their ideas, experiences, and imagination on a global stage.
Entering the Queen’s Commonwealth Writing Competition gives young writers a unique platform to:
To keep up to date with all updates on the Competition, follow @RoyalCWSociety on X, Instagram, and Facebook.
The Royal Commonwealth Society has opened its 2026 youth photography competition, and this year the focus is water. Oceans, rivers, coastlines, and the ways they’re shifting.
If you’re aged 18 to 30 and hold Commonwealth citizenship, you can enter. The competition asks young photographers to look at our oceans and waterways and capture the change they carry, whether that’s damage, recovery, or the people whose lives are bound up with the water.
What you can enter
There are four categories, and you can submit work to any or all of them:
How to enter
Entry is free. Submit your photographs by 8 June 2026 through the link below.
https://www.royalcwsociety.org/environment/get-involved
The Royal Commonwealth Society is working to stop one million pieces of plastic from entering Commonwealth waterways. It’s a shared goal across the Commonwealth, run in partnership with Commonwealth Sport, and it depends on people organising and taking part in clean-ups wherever they are.
The campaign also runs a sustainability relay alongside Commonwealth Sport, bringing together athletes, young people, conservation groups, and local communities for country-specific weeks of action.
There are a few ways to get involved.
Every piece of litter collected adds to a clearer picture of plastic pollution across the Commonwealth. If you’ve run or joined a clean-up, you can submit your results and count them toward the one million goal. Your data supports wider efforts to cut marine waste and encourages others to do the same.
There’s a set of downloadable tools to help you run a safe, well-organised clean-up: planning guides, safety guidance, and tips for community events. Organisers and volunteers should read the safety guidelines before taking part.
A note on safety: taking part in any plastic pick-up under the campaign is voluntary and done at your own risk. Commonwealth Sport and the Royal Commonwealth Society accept no responsibility or liability for these activities, and each participating organisation should hold appropriate insurance cover.
You can raise both awareness and funds for the campaign. There’s a fundraising guide with ideas suited to schools, youth groups, and individuals who want to make a difference.
As a charity fighting plastic pollution, the RCS relies on its supporters. Donations go directly toward the campaign and the wider push for cleaner seas.
If you’re a Commonwealth-based individual, group, or organisation who wants to lead a pick-up or help promote the campaign, you can sign up to stay updated on ways to take part.
