Each 9 October is celebrated as United Nations (UN) International World Post Day.
The Thammasat University Library collection includes books about different aspects of international postal services.
The UN website explains:
Innovation, Integration and Inclusion
World Post Day is celebrated each year on 9 October, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 in the Swiss Capital, Bern. It was declared World Post Day by the UPU Congress held in Tokyo, Japan in 1969. Since then, countries across the world participate annually in the celebrations. The Posts in many countries use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services.
In 2015 countries all over the world committed themselves to working together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to end extreme poverty and hunger, fight inequality and injustice, and take action to reverse climate change – to name just some of these 17 agreed new Goals. Playing its part in this global effort, the Post today has a more relevant role than ever by providing infrastructure for development.
2024 theme: 150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nation
In 2024, the Universal Postal Union (UPU) celebrates its 150th anniversary.
With the theme “150 years of enabling communication and empowering peoples across nations,” this year’s World Post Day recognizes the UPU’s longstanding achievements and reinforces its commitment to serve all peoples for the decades and centuries to come.
Join the celebration of this historic milestone as we reflect on 150 years of progress and look toward a future where communication remains a driving force for peace, prosperity, and global understanding. #WorldPostDay, #UPU150
UPU’s International Letter-Writing Competition
The annual competition, launched in 1971, aims to promote literacy among children through the art of letter writing. Attracting more than 1.2 million global participants each year, the competition encourages young people aged 9-15 to write letters on a given theme. For this edition, 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.”
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.
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 and with the participation of UNESCO 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.
Background
The purpose of World Post Day is to create awareness of the role of the postal sector in people’s and businesses’ everyday lives and its contribution to the social and economic development of countries. The celebration encourages member countries to undertake programme activities aimed at generating a broader awareness of their Post’s role and activities among the public and media on a national scale.
Every year, more than 150 countries celebrate World Post Day in a variety of ways. In certain countries, World Post Day is observed as a working holiday. Many Posts use the event to introduce or promote new postal products and services. Some Posts also use World Post Day to reward their employees for good service.
In many countries, philatelic exhibitions are organized, and new stamps and date cancellation marks are issued. Other activities include the display of World Post Day posters in post offices and other public places, open days at post offices, mail centres and postal museums, the holding of conferences, seminars and workshops, as well as cultural, sport and other recreational activities. Many postal administrations issue special souvenirs such as T-shirts and badges.
For countries participating in the UPU International Letter-Writing Competition, national winners are often honoured on 9 October.
Last year in Thaikand, on the occasion of World Post Day, a special stamp was issued:
Issue Name :
World Post Day 2023 Commemorative Stamp
Issue Date: 2023-10-09
Perforation: n/a
Denomination: 3 Baht
Details: To celebrate World Post Day on 9 October and create public awareness of the postal mission to help the world save the environment in a sustainable way to pass on to the generation
Design: A cartoon character of a young superhero holding a letter on a safer road surrounds himself with a lot of trees to show the achievement in using the clean power sources from wind and solar energy.
Designer: Ms. Euamporn Supharoekchai (Thailand Post Company Limited)
Printing Process and Colour: Lithography Multi – colour
Quantity: 300,000 pieces
Sheet Composition: 10 stamps
First Day Cover: 13.00 Baht
Size: 48 x 30 mm. (Horizontal-measured from perforation to perforation)
(All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)