The BBC Young Writers and Public Speaking Awards are organised by the BBC in partnership with the British Council and the Netherlands-England Society.

Learning languages is hard work and deserves to be rewarded. As teachers and students strive to achieve excellence in English, the BBC Young Writers and Public Speaking Awards provide a platform to celebrate creativity and an opportunity for students to be heard.

The topics for the Awards have been chosen to reflect those of the Connecting Futures Netherlands (CFNL) programme. The CFNL programme provides space and resources for young people to explore themes related to active citizenship and identity, and to enable the development of a global network of young people. The topics for the BBC Young Writers and Public Speaking Awards 2005 are based on the themes of active citizenship and identity and are:

1. The environment
2. Belonging
3. Democracy
4. Security
5. Spirituality
6. Responsibility
7. Justice
8. Peace

Why active citizenship and identity?

Understanding in practical ways what it means to be an active, responsible, just and thoughtful citizen is a current priority in schools' curricula both in the UK and the Netherlands. In contemporary society, questions of identity for the current rising generation are crucial in understanding each other as well as world affairs.

The Awards not only give young people the opportunity to win prizes but also prepare them for future careers in an ever-competitive world. A world where language and communication skills will be the key to success. The two Awards, for writing (young people between 12 and 20 years old) and for speaking (young people between 16 and 20 years old), form a common focus for developing effective English language skills. Participation will enhance young people's communication skills in English, helping to make them more confident and articulate and better able to thrive in a trading nation working within a global economy.