2014 International letter-writing competition for young people

The theme selected for the 2014 competition is: "Write a letter describing how music can touch lives."

The promotional poster reflects the 2014 theme.

The best letter from each country must be submitted to the International Bureau no later than 30 April 2014.

Rules

Participation

• Young people up to the age of 15 years may take part in the competition.
• The UPU International Bureau (IB) cannot accept entries sent directly by schools or private individuals.
• The organizers designated by member countries must respect the competition's organizational principles, which specify that they are solely responsible for organizing the national stage of the competition and therefore must provide all the parties concerned with their own contact details and not those of the IB.
• The organizers should select their country's best composition (one composition per country or territory only) and send it to the IB no later than 30 April.

Submission of applications

All entries must be submitted by post, by e-mail or by fax to: +41 31 350 37 11.

All entries must include:

• the composition (typed) in either Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish. If the original is handwritten, the organizer should type up the text on a computer and submit the original with a translation into English, French or Spanish (as preferred) of the original composition if it has been written in a language other than those mentioned above.
• a cover letter from the organizing body.
• a duly completed entry form, including the contact details of the candidate and the national competition coordinator; this form is available opposite to download.
• a good quality digital photograph of the candidate, preferably in JPEG format (at least 300 dpi).

Presentation and content of entries

• The compositions submitted must be recent, unpublished letters.
• Compositions must be presented in the form of a letter ("Dear ……..", include the address of both the addressee and the sender, and end with a signature).
• Entries must strictly respect the set theme.
• Entries must strictly adhere to the number of words permitted in the original language (between 500 and 800).

Organizational principles

Each member country organizes a letter-writing competition for young people in its territory as suits it best, but preferably with the help of the national education authorities, and selects the best entry. The best entry is chosen in accordance with the general rules of the competition.

Participating member countries must send their best entry to the IB, together with all the required documents, to the IB by no later than 30 April.

Jury's decision and announcement of results

The IB will designate a jury responsible for assessing the letters selected. This jury will choose the best three entries, the authors of which will each receive a medal, and may also select up to five other entries, whose authors will receive a special mention.
The IB will inform the countries concerned of the results by letter.

Prizes

The first three international winners will receive medals (gold for the first, silver for the second and bronze for the third) struck by the IB, as well as a certificate and other prizes offered by the UPU.
Member countries may also award additional prizes to their international prize-winners, at their discretion.
It is recommended that the prize-giving ceremonies be held on 9 October, the anniversary of the foundation of the UPU, to form part of the activities connected with World Post Day.

Results

The IB will communicate the names of the prize-winners by letter as soon as it receives the results from the jury, in principle no later than early September of the competition year.

International letter-writing competition for young people

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