Universal Postal Union (UPU) - 2024 International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People

Deadline: May 05, 2024

Competitions

Essay

Location(s)

  • Online
  • Switzerland
Berne

Overview

Since 1971, the UPU has encouraged young writers aged 9-15 to write letters on a given theme to win exciting prizes. The competition is an excellent way of making young people aware of the important role postal services play in our societies. It develops their skills in composition and their ability to express thoughts clearly. It also fosters enjoyment of letter writing and helps strengthen the bonds of international friendship.

Details

The UPU's secretariat, the International Bureau, chooses a theme annually and publicizes it each year. Participating countries then organize the competition at the national level through the Post, often with the support of the educational authorities and media. 

In 2024, participants will be encouraged to reflect on the future of the world under the theme: "At 150 years old, the UPU has served people around the world for more than eight generations. The world has changed enormously since then. Write a letter to future generations about the world you hope they inherit."  

For this special edition, the UPU is organizing the 53rd International Letter Writing Competition in partnership with UNICEF to empower children and youth worldwide by encouraging literacy and creativity through the art of letter writing. This campaign aims to raise the voices of children and youth and provide them a platform, in the lead up to the Summit of the Future and the 35th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, to share their perspectives of the world and the legacy they wish the future generations to inherit. This campaign is an opportunity for children and young people not only to influence and be heard by a global audience including people in power but also to be valued and respected while promoting literacy and creativity.

The chosen theme encourages young people to articulate their thoughts on current global challenges and propose innovative solutions. Aligning with the United Nations system's Common Agenda to deepen solidarity between generations and ensure a liveable planet for the future, the theme allows youths to draw upon the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, providing a framework for their visions of a better world.

An international jury compiled by the International Bureau judges the letters and selects the overall winners and candidates that merit a special mention.  

If you are an individual interested in entering the competition, please be sure to contact your national postal operator for more information about participating.

Rules

Compositions must be in the form of a letter and contain the elements of a letter (heading, greeting, body, complimentary close, signature line and postscript (optional). Entries must adhere strictly to the theme and not exceed 800 words in the original language.

Submitted letters must be accompanied by a cover letter, entry form and high quality picture of the winner. At the national level, the competition is organized by UPU member countries, which present one winning letter to the international jury convened by the UPU. Entries must reach the UPU International Bureau no later than 5 May each year.

For any queries, please contact us at communication@upu.int

The UPU

Established in 1874, the Universal Postal Union (UPU), with its headquarters in the Swiss capital Berne, is the second oldest international organization worldwide. With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players. It  helps to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services.

In this way, the organization fulfils an advisory, mediating and liaison role, and provides technical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail, parcel and financial services volumes and improve quality of service for customers.

Opportunity is About


Eligibility

Candidates should be from:


Description of Ideal Candidate

  • The competition is open to participants up to the age of 15 years.
  • The UPU International Bureau does not accept compositions sent directly by schools, individuals or similar.

The following criteria will be used to judge the quality of the letters:

  • structure as a letter;
  • adherence to the theme;
  • creativity; and
  • use of language. 

The judges will select the three best entries (i.e. first, second and third places) and may also award special mentions to other compositions. As soon as the UPU International Bureau receives the results from the jury, it will notify the member countries within a reasonable amount of time.


Dates

Deadline: May 05, 2024


Cost/funding for participants

Prizes

The top three international prize-winners will receive a beautiful medal (gold, silver or bronze) bearing their name, or a certificate (honourable mentions).

But that’s not all! Conditions allowing, the UPU also arranges for the gold-medal winner a trip to attend a special awards ceremony at the UPU headquarters in Berne, Switzerland, in honour of their achievement. Transport and accommodation costs will be paid for the winner and the accompanying adult.

The runners-up and national winners will generally receive their prize at ceremonies held in their home countries on World Post Day – 9 October – the anniversary of the founding of the UPU.

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