Today, October 9 is World Post Day. 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.

History of World Post Day

World Post Day is celebrated each year on October 9, the anniversary of the establishment of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) 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.

Purpose of World Post Day

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.

Postal worker sorting mail in Istanbul, Turkey. UPU/Emre Oktay

In 2015 countries all over the world committed themselves to working together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, (SDGs) 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.

Celebration of World Post Day

With more than 600,000 offices across the globe, the postal sector is one of the world’s largest logistical networks and a vital center of community life everywhere.

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.

On the World Post Day, the UPU’s member countries are encouraged to organize their own national activities to celebrate the event, including everything from the introduction or promotion of new postal products and services, to the organization of open days at post offices, mail centres and postal museums.

Letter-post is still in business. UP

For countries participating in the UPU International Letter-Writing Competition, national winners are often honoured on 9 October. On average, two million children from more than 60 countries participate in the competition every year, with over one million alone from Viet Nam. (Vietnam was the champion of the 2016 and 2010 competitions after coming in second in 2009 and third in 1993, 1999 and 2004).

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 centers 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.

Message of World Post Day 2018 by UN Secretary-General

As the role of the Post is getting relevant in achieving SDGs UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres recently announced a message for World Post Day 2018:

“This year’s observance of World Post Day highlights the sector’s value not just for delivering the mail, but for delivering good.

Resilient postal systems offer support during natural disasters, financial services to hundreds of millions of people; and essential information in times of crises.

This network, through its international treaties and emphasis on universal service, is a constant voice for multilateralism and force for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It also promotes literacy and education for children.

I encourage the world’s postal sector to continue its laudable efforts to advance progress for all and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

Poster of World Post Day 2016-2018

The UPU helps facilitate awareness with its World Post Day by designing and distributing posters for display across the globe. In 2016, the UPU launched a new poster for the 2016 – 2018 period.

Although World Post Day is not guided by a particular theme, the UPU’s latest poster design embodies the UPU’s three strategic pillars: innovation, integration and inclusion.

Poster of World Post Day 2016-2018. Source: UPU

Just as Posts innovate to remain relevant in the changing communication landscape, the UPU has chosen innovative designs for the new World Post Day poster. Using Pantone colour inks specially layered onto high-quality Swiss–made paper to produce the blue and gold design, the physical elements of the poster represent innovation unto themselves.

The emblem’s design represents the two remaining pillars, integration and inclusion. The crisscrossed arms and layered colours act to show the integration of knowledge and processes, enabling seamless and affordable services for all. The intertwined design was inspired by the Celtic knot, which itself has Persian roots. Finally, the clasped hands represent how the Post connects and includes people around the world.

More than 80 Posts have ordered some 70,000 posters in seven available languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Chinese.

In addition to the three-year poster campaign, UPU Director General Bishar A. Hussein also releases an annual message to celebrate the event. The Director General’s 2016 World Post Day message is available./.

( VNF )