Speech Writing Competition
The ActionTalks 2027 competition is now live!
Learn how you can get involved and download our free teaching resources below.
ActionTalks 2027
Now in its 13th year, the ActionTalks competition is a great opportunity for students to critically think about important global issues, hone their writing skills and learn why global solidarity is so important.
The competition is open to students aged 14-18. Students should submit a 5-minute or 600-word speech on one of the following topics:
- How are gender-based violence and mental health linked?
- Is popular culture, like film and music, representing feminism well today?
- Will AI improve our lives? Discuss referencing women’s rights, climate change and international development.
How to enter
To enter, ask your teacher to email your typed speech to comms.ireland@actionaid.org before the deadline of Friday 15 January 2027.
Prizes and final
- 15 regional finalists will be invited to submit a video of themselves reading their speeches.
- Six finalists will then be chosen to go forward to the national final, each winning a €50 One4All voucher.
- The finalists will be invited to attend a final in Dublin in April 2027.
- One overall winner will receive a €500 One4All voucher and their teacher will receive a €100 One4All voucher.
Global Citizenship Education
Our annual ActionTalks Speech Writing Competition is a part of our Global Citizenship Education work, supported by Irish Aid. We are members of the Irish Development Education Association and are signed up to their code of conduct for Global Citizenship Education to ensure our resources, formal, non-formal and informal, meet the best possible standards.
Download ActionTalk resources
We highly encourage both students and teachers to use our resources. For secondary school teachers our resources are recommended for English, CSPE, Politics and Society and Transition Year classes. These resources include three presentations and lesson plans, all of which feature videos, group work, and interactive elements.
Each presentation is under this year’s themes of the climate crisis, the role of education in gender equality and the importance of funding women’s rights organisations.
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ActionTalks how to guides
Do you want to take further action on the issues you have learned about as part of the competition such as contacting a local politician or writing a letter to your local newspaper? If so, you can download our free take-action guides here to support you to take further action.
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Criteria for entering
Speech Writing Skills
Writing skills are important, so we recommend having someone proofread your speech to check for any grammatical or spelling mistakes. It’s also a good idea to read your speech out loud to yourself or someone else a few times to check the punctuation and flow of your speech. While the tone should be formal don’t forget to make your unique style come through in your writing!
Innovative ideas or viewpoints
Ideas complemented by case studies, facts and figures
References are very important- while it is amazing to incorporate your own experiences and viewpoints into your speech, it is important to have your arguments backed up by case studies, facts and figures. While in-text citations aren’t necessary, please include all your sources in the bibliography.
Creativity in getting points across
Be creative! Try to find unique ways to present your arguments. Think outside of the box and be original!
Global outlook
Your speech should have a global outlook. While it is encouraged to base elements of your speech in an Irish context, you should analyse your theme with a global outlook in mind.
Don’t use AI
Speeches must be written only by the participants- plagiarised speeches or speeches written using AI will be disqualified.
The competition in 2026
Frequently asked questions
I am a teacher, and I want my students to participate in the competition. What do I do?
What is the word count?
Who can enter? Can I only participate if my school is taking part?
How much does it cost?
How do I enter?
To enter ask your teacher to email your entry to comms.ireland@actionaid.org, with your name and school clearly in the heading.
Can I enter the competition without downloading at the resources?
If you meet the age criteria and live in Ireland, yes, you can enter. However, we strongly recommend reading our resources as a good starting point for writing your speech.
Can I enter if I live in the North of Ireland?
Unfortunately, our competition is only open to those residing within the Republic of Ireland.
Can I enter in Irish?
Unfortunately, our judges won’t have the level of Irish needed to adequately judge a speech written in Irish this year. We admire any student with an interest and ability to deliver a speech in Irish and will work on ways that Irish could be included in future competitions.
ActionTalks
how to guides
Fill out our form below to get your take-action guides for your students.
ActionTalks
resources 2025/2026
Campaigning for a fossil fuel free future and for climate action
Please find links to the ActionAid “Campaigning for a fossil fuel free future and for climate action” resources below to teach students about Ireland’s role in fighting against climate change.
- ActionAid Campaigning for a fossil fuel free future and for climate action presentation 2026
- ActionAid Campaigning for a fossil fuel free future and for climate action lesson plan 2026
Education: women’s rights and the fight for equality
Please find links to the ActionAid “Education: women’s rights and the fight for equality” resources below to teach students about the importance of education in achieving equality.
- ActionAid Education: women’s rights and the fight for equality Presentation 2026
- ActionAid Education: women’s rights and the fight for equality Lesson Plan 2026
Women’s rights organisations and ending violence against women and girls
Please find links to the ActionAid “Women’s rights organisations as the key to ending violence against women and girls” resources below to teach students about the importance of overseas aid and the work of women’s rights organisations:
- ActionAid Women’s rights organisations as the key to ending violence against women and girls presentation 2026
- ActionAid Women’s rights organisations as the key to ending violence against women and girls lesson plan 2026