Written Submission for Britain
Objective
To encourage students to use their journalistic skills to look at a topical issue
which is relevant to Catholic Social Teaching and resonates with Columban mission.
The topic for 2025/2026 is Becoming a refugee is never a choice. But how we respond is.
The entry form is further down this page. Jump to Entry Form
Rules
Entrants must live in Britain (England, Scotland or Wales).
Entrants must be 13-18 inclusive
(they must have turned 13 on or before 31 August 2025).Entries must be made by individuals.
No more than 1 written entry per person.
A piece of writing or image generated by AI technology is not allowed. We may require teachers to verify that submissions are original.
Entries can be articles or poems and must be original content.
Entries must be no longer than 1000 words and a minimum of around 800 words. The minimum word count for poems is more flexible.
Entries must be in English.
Where facts or figures are quoted, they must be credited to the source.
Parental permission is required.
Judges
James Trewby, Coordinator of Columban Justice, Peace and Ecology Team.
Josephine Siedlecka, Founder and Editor of Independent Catholic News.
Ruth Gledhill, Assistant Editor at The Tablet.
Fr Tim Mulroy, A former Columban Superior General and is now based in Britain.
Lexi Moulton, An art teacher involved in Columban programs with refugees.
A group of people with lived experiences of Migration from Hope Garden in Birmingham.
Assisted by Ellen Teague, Emma Darling, Fr Kevin McDonagh, Fr Joe Ryan, Jane Lavery and Rebecca Long.
Judging Criteria
Quality of the presentation.
Definition, clarity and fairness.
A representation of some knowledge of the subject and first-hand experience if possible.
Have kept in mind Catholic Social Teaching.
Originality.
Reporting depth.
Construction.