We are thrilled to announce that Olivia, a talented Year 10 student from Alice Smith School, has secured a Bronze Award in the prestigious Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition 2024. This remarkable achievement is a testament to exceptional writing skills and deep understanding of global issues.
A Global Platform for Young Minds
The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition, established in 1883, is the world's oldest international schools’ writing competition. It challenges young minds to explore important themes related to the Commonwealth's values. This year, Olivia's essay delved into the pressing issue of nationalism and individualism.
A Powerful Voice for Change
In her thought-provoking essay, Olivia highlighted the dangers of a world divided by self-interest and short-sighted nationalistic agendas. She argued that actual progress can only be achieved through global cooperation and empathy.
“Our world is in danger. We have so many issues across the globe, and we still have not identified the most pressing one. Is it the Gaza conflict, causing major problems in the Middle East, echoing globally? Or, perhaps it is more long-term issues that threaten our existence, like climate change and rising cases of poverty? Or is it limited access to food and even clean water for many in developing countries, or maybe it’s inequality, causing negative effects to global economies? It could even be the misuse of technology, with the increased uncertainty of what is real or not, or cyber-bullying causing higher rates of youth suicide. Or, are they symptoms of a much worse underlying problem? A much more worrying and scary issue, something that has the capability to completely demolish the values of the Commonwealth and undermine human development? Nationalism. Individualism. Selfishness. These three combined is the problem that has been inhibiting our abilities to solve climate change, poverty and more. This is the biggest problem of our time.”
Olivia's powerful words resonated with the judges, who recognised her ability to articulate complex ideas with clarity and passion. Her essay serves as a call to action, urging individuals to prioritise the collective good over personal gain.
“The thing that sets humans apart from animals is self-awareness and the ability to put aside short-term gain for long-term benefit. We need to do that even more today in the world. Technology and science has developed exponentially in the last century. Why? Simply because scientists have collaborated together across the globe in ways like no other time before. This unity of mind and collaboration drives global progress much faster than competition and ‘survival of the fittest’ ever could.”
“There are 16 core values of the Commonwealth, all of which have not been achieved and maintained in society, but are nonetheless still relevant and even more important in modern society. We do not have international peace and security since we still have territorial conflicts and an increase of division in the world. We do not have respect and understanding since we are still witnessing racism and sexism. We cannot maintain protecting the environment if we do not unite. We also certainly do not have recognition of need in small and vulnerable states. This is all because we have countries becoming more selfish and corrupt, where we no longer have enough unity to focus on solving climate change or poverty rates and rather are focusing on starting wars and conflicts.”
Olivia used the words of Queen Elizabeth II to conclude her essay and sum up her message:
"Being united — that is, feeling a unity of purpose — is the glue that bonds together the members of a family, a country, a Commonwealth. Without it, the parts are only fragments of a whole; with it, we can be much more than the sum of those fragments."
In other words, we can solve anything UNITED.
Congratulations to Olivia on this extraordinary accomplishment. We are immensely proud of her and commend her for her dedication and hard work.