Marie Georgette Spiteri, winner of the My Magna Carta international creative essay writing competition.

Marie Georgette Spiteri, 14, who attends the Bishop’s Conservatory Secondary School in Victoria, has won the My Magna Carta international creative essay writing competition for 11- to 14-year-olds from Europe. The competition was organised to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta that protected the rights of people against tyranny.

Organised by the English-Speaking Union and Royal Holloway, University of London, the competition was open to participants from the UK, ESU member countries and the Commonwealth.

She will be in London between 13 and 17 October to take part in the grand finale.

After receiving public speaking training, she will have the opportunity to present her Magna Carta in competition with other continental finalists in her age category. Spiteri was one of two entries from Malta and Gozo competing with entries from 21 other countries in Europe with ESUs.

Her essay, on her own Magna Carta, is intended to reflect the world today in one document that safeguards the rights, privileges and liberties of her own country and the world.

Through the My Magna Carta competition, the ESU believes it is better fulfilling its aims to create international understanding through education, engaging with its founding principles and reflecting the nature of the organisation as a dynamic and relevant educational charity. The ESU today is dedicated to helping people articulate their ideas and share them with others, and it is through the principles of freedom and justice laid out in the Magna Carta that our understanding of democracy today is formed.

The essays were judged by a panel chaired by Kate Williams of Royal Holloway and included James Raven, Justin Champion and Sian Williams.