Delivered 27 August 2021 during the 27th Universal Postal Congress, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Excellencies,Distinguished Delegates,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
A very warm welcome to this special event announcing the winner of the International Letter Writing Competition.
The ILWC is a global competition that involves millions of children from dozens of countries and is held every year.
From the very start of my time as Director General, I have always relished the opportunity to celebrate the lives and experiences of young people.
Only a few days ago, at my press conference, I talked about how children who are able to seize opportunities can rise to the highest level.
Each of the winners of this esteemed competition—now 50 years old—is an individual whose talent quite literally is a bright beacon for everyone to see.
At every event celebrating this competition, I have experienced this myself when listening and talking to the winners.
They all seem to have a special gift; whether it is singing, poetry, public speaking or numerous other accomplishments.
The winners all display a wisdom, a strength of character that goes far beyond their years; something that makes them stand out as individuals and as ambassadors of their generation.
I believe it is the flame of youth.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is, therefore, sad that this year’s winner cannot be with us today.
Unfortunately, the ongoing pandemic has made this impossible, but I know she is with us in spirit, and after all, we have the undeniable power of her winning letter.
What is even sadder is that this year’s theme is: “Write a letter to a member of your family about your experience of COVID.”
Our accomplished writer is a yet another victim of this terrible pandemic.
But even without her being present, her voice can be heard; it speaks directly to us through her stimulating letter.
The winner of the Universal Postal Union’s International Letter Writing Competition 2021 is Nubaysha Islam, a fourteen-year old girl from Sylhet, a metropolitan city in Northeastern Bangladesh.
Nubaysha’s letter and her story is told against the background of the pandemic and its deadly impact in Bangladesh.
She is talking to her younger sister Amal and describing the pain felt by the family at the loss of their aunt to the deadly disease.
The letter combines strong elements of emotion, thoughts on the weather and a meditation on life, and what it means to live.
“193 countries, 7.9 billion people versus a virus. Can you imagine? Nature’s rage? Is she being vengeful? Are we being punished for wrecking her world? Does that mean we’re being held captives in our very own homes? Or maybe she’s ushering us to our senses; making us realize our mindless wrongdoings—just how ma would do if I did something wrong. Maybe this is why nature is a she; a mother to mankind.”
Nubaysha’s letter is also surely speaking for everyone about our experiences of the last eighteen months when she mentions her fears:
“Once my third grade English teacher had asked what I feared most. I remember answering thunderstorms and spiders. But now I’d say it`s death as well as the fear of losing someone.”
Earlier, she says in a message to us all, “The virus is deadly, so is losing hope.”
But, even amid such pain and loss, Nubaysha does not give up hope. Again she returns to images of the nature that surrounds us.
“The sun is setting among the foliage, marking the end of the last day of the year and the arrival of a new daw of a new year. I may have lost Phuppi but I still got the hopes of meeting you soon. Your name means hope Amal. And that is what is unique to you.”
She ends with the line: “But never lose hope Amal – Never.”
Distinguished delegates,
Ladies and gentlemen,
My warmest congratulations to Nubaysha and my colleagues will invite her to Berne as soon as possible.
I would also like to congratulate the runner up in the competition was Bruno Ivanovski, a 14 year old from North Macedonia, and the third prize went to Dao Anh Thu, aged 14 years from Vietnam.
Allow me to also to warmly thank Bangladesh Post, especially Mr Siraz Uddin the Director General for all his help.
Finally, let me encourage everyone watching to make sure their country’s children can take part in this competition.
Thank you.
(Check against delivery)