Think Trade, Think Green 2024 Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award
The Commonwealth Secretariat has announced an exciting opportunity for young researchers and students through the “Think Trade, Think Green: Commonwealth Innovative Youth Essay Award Competition.” This initiative aims to engage young minds aged 18-29 in exploring how trade and trade policy can address climate change issues within their countries.
Why This Competition Matters
The Commonwealth, comprising 56 member countries with a combined population of 2.7 billion, has a significant youth demographic—over 60% are between the ages of 15 and 29. The Commonwealth Youth Programme (CYP) has been a champion of youth empowerment for more than 50 years, recognizing its importance for economic growth and inclusive development. This essay competition is a platform for young people to voice their ideas on climate action and policy, aligning with the Commonwealth’s Year of Youth objectives.
How to Participate
Young people from Commonwealth nations are invited to submit essays that explore the relationship between trade and climate change. Participants should identify a specific problem linked to the climate crisis in their country and propose how trade or trade policy can help address it. Essays should be a maximum of 2,000 words, including in-text references and footnotes (excluding the reference list). The format should be in Times New Roman font, with 1.5 spacing.
Submission Requirements
- Eligibility: Must be aged 18-29 and a Commonwealth national.
- Document Format: Single PDF or Word file.
- Details to Include: Name, age, nationality, contact information (email, address, telephone), and a CV or short bio.
- Submission Email: tcs@commonwealth.int
Key Dates and Prizes
- Start Date: 15 July 2024
- Submission Deadline: 21 August 2024
- Winners Informed: 2 September 2024
The competition offers enticing prizes, with the first prize winner receiving £1,000, and the second and third prize winners receiving £500 each. Additionally, the top three essays will be published in the Trade Competitiveness Briefing Series and featured at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa in October.
Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged based on the originality of the challenges identified, the proposed solutions, and the quality of writing. The essays will undergo a blind peer review by the Trade and Youth Team, followed by an assessment by a distinguished panel.
Join the Conversation
This essay competition is an excellent opportunity for young people to contribute to the global conversation on climate change and trade. It’s a chance to showcase innovative ideas and solutions that can make a real difference in tackling the climate crisis.
For more details, visit the Commonwealth website or contact tcs@commonwealth.int.
