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The UPU has just launched its 38^th annual international letter-writing competition. Youngsters aged up to 15 are being invited to write a letter explaining how decent working conditions can lead to a better life. This theme was chosen in conjunction with the International Labour Organization (ILO), which is getting involved in the contest for the first time ever. The aim is to throw the spotlight on the ILO’s massive worldwide campaign on decent work, in which the UPU is also involved as a pilot UN agency. According to the ILO, decent work means, freedom of association, the right to collective bargaining, an end to child labour and forced labour, the elimination of gender inequality, and a safer working environment for all. It also means promoting an environment in which people are able to work in dignity, earn enough to feed their family, educate their children and make provision for retirement.



UPU member countries have been invited to participate in the 2009 letter- writing competition, which each year sees over six million young people writing letters in the hope of being selected by the UNESCO jury as the world’s top letter-writer. To explain the concept of decent work, the ILO provides a brief Flash presentation (available in 25 languages) on its website www.ilo.org/public/english/dw/. More information on the 38th international letter writing competition is available www.upu.org