The UN has launched the International Year of Forests. The UPU will raise awareness of forest protection with its 40th letter-writing competition.
More than 60 UPU member countries are expected to participate in this year’s edition of the competition, which asks young people up to age 15 to write a letter on the following theme: “Imagine you are a tree living in a forest. Write a letter to someone to explain why it is important to protect forests.”
Participating member countries are currently holding the competition at the national level. They have until 30 April 2011 to submit the letter that will represent them for judging at the international level. Some 2 million children worldwide participate in the competitions first held nationally. International finalists will then vie for the gold, silver or bronze medals awarded by the UPU after an international jury evaluates the compositions. International winners are expected to be announced in August.
“Forests play an important role in preserving climate and environment stability, and the theme is in line with initiatives undertaken by our organization to help our member countries and designated postal operators to reduce the impact of postal activities on the environment and climate change,” said Edouard Dayan, the UPU’s director general. “We are very eager to receive the children’s letters on this very important topic, and I’m sure young writers will share valuable insight on the importance of preserving forests.”
The UPU’s International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People was created by the 1969 Tokyo Congress and officially launched in 1971. Since then, millions of young people all over the world have participated in the competition at national and international levels. The competition aims to make young people aware of the important role postal services play in our societies, develops their skills in composition and the ability to express their thoughts clearly, and fosters their enjoyment of letter writing.