International Letter-Writing Competition on Climate Change for Young People by Universal Postal Union and Valuable Prizes

Universal Postal Union UPU is accepting entries for 51st International Letter-Writing Competition for Young People. The UPU’s International Letter-Writing Competition aims to improve literacy through the art of letter-writing. Targeted at children and young people, the annual competition encourages participants to express their crea­tivity and refine their language skills.

The theme is "Write a letter to an influential person about why and how to take action on climate change” 

1. 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.
2. The top winners will receive a special medal (gold for first prize, silver for second, and bronze for third) and a certificate, as well as other prizes to commemorate their win (such other prizes to be decided by the UPU).
3. The gold medallist may also be offered a trip to the UPU headquarters in Berne, Switzerland, or an alternative prize to be decided at the sole discretion of the UPU.
4. Writers awarded a special mention will also receive a certificate as well as other prizes (such other prizes to be decided by the UPU).

1. The competition is open to participants aged from 9 to 15 years.
2. The UPU International Bureau does not accept compositions sent directly by schools, individuals or similar. The UPU announces the theme for the new competition. Each member country then organizes a letter-writing competition on the theme in its territory as it sees fit, but preferably with the help of its national education authorities. The national organizing body/bodies choose the best composition in accordance with the general rules of the competition.
3. Each member country then sends the International Bureau its best national message, with the supporting documents , by 5 May at the latest. Only one entry per member country is permitted.
4. The original letter may include illustrations from the candidate. Entries must adhere strictly to the theme and not exceed the limit of 800 words in the original language.

Judging criteria:

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

Required documents:

Each entry must be accompanied by the following documents:

• A completed entry form;
• The original letter in the following formats:

1. a good-quality scan, in colour, of the handwritten original (if available) in PDF format; and
2. as a Word document;
3. A translation of the letter in English and/or French, as a Word document; and

• A good-quality photograph of the candidate:

1. in JPEG format (300 dpi minimum); or
2. as a print copy (please do not staple or glue the photo to any of the documents if sending by post).

About Universal Postal Union:

The Universal Postal Union is a United Nations specialized agency and the postal sector's primary forum for international cooperation.

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