The Commonwealth Essay Competition is the world’s oldest and largest international writing competition.

Run by the Royal Commonwealth Society since 1883, the competition is open to all young people who come from or live in a Commonwealth country or territory.

Entries for 2014 should be on the theme ‘Team Commonwealth’ and will be judged in two categories – junior (under 14 years old) and senior (14-18 years old).

All pieces of writing must be in English but can be submitted in a variety of formats, for example a poem, letter, script or essay.

Suggested titles include: You’re one of us now; What makes a good team?; and How can sport build peace in troubled communities?

Full details are available on the Royal Commonwealth Society website.

The deadline for entries is 1 May 2014.