Berne, 9 October 2026 – Twelve-year-old Zhiyuan Si from China has won first prize in the UPU’s 55th International Letter-Writing Competition (ILWC) for Young People, which drew more than 1.48 million letters from 65 countries this year.
Organized in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the 2026 ILWC invited young people to “write a letter to a friend about why human connection matters in a digital world”.“Our young writers show us that the digital world can open new ways to connect, but meaningful relationships still depend on the time, attention and experiences that we share. Their letters remind us that technology can bring us closer across distances, while moments together remain at the heart of human connection,” said UPU Director General Masahiko Metoki.
Entitled “The sweetest honey”, Zhiyuan’s winning letter is addressed to her cousin Yuanbao, who lives 2,000 kilometres away. Recalling a visit to Yuanbao’s village, she describes experiences they shared, including running through a wheat field and looking up at a star-filled sky, and reflects on the emotions that photographs and videos cannot fully convey.
At the same time, Zhiyuan recognizes how technology allows the cousins to remain close despite the distance between them. Bringing together these online and offline experiences, she concludes that “the truest connection is keeping someone close in your heart, no matter the distance”.
Zhiyuan will receive the ILWC gold medal during the UPU’s World Post Day ceremony, to be held at the UPU International Bureau in Berne, Switzerland, on 9 October.
Samily Wilcock Baxendale Santana of Portugal received the silver medal for a letter reflecting on how digital distractions can create distance between people who are physically close. Writing to a friend she has lost, Samily reflects on the importance of being genuinely present for those around us and on the human connection that technology cannot replace.
The bronze medal went to Amir Arian Hasanlou of the Islamic Republic of Iran, whose letter to his friend Parsa reflects on friendship amid conflict and separation. Drawing on his experience of attending classes online and being unable to see his friend, Amir reflects on how digital communication cannot replace the experience of being together in person.
Four other young writers received special mentions for their entries:
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Athena Monica Browne of Barbados;
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Marie-Ange S. Dolou Chekpo of Benin;
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Elenilia Charalambous of Cyprus;
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Tran Chi Cuong of Viet Nam.
International jury
The international jury brought together expertise in health, social connection, education and youth engagement. It comprised:
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Dr Etienne Krug of WHO;
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Dr Mariagrazia Squicciarini of UNESCO;
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Mr Jakob Forssmed, Sweden’s Minister for Social Affairs and Public Health;
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Ms Diana Chao, founder of Letters to Strangers.
Reflecting on this year’s theme, Dr Krug said: “Younger people experience the most loneliness worldwide, with real consequences for their health, their learning and their futures. Strengthening social connection is a priority for WHO”. He added that young people’s perspectives on strengthening human bonds in an increasingly digital world “matter enormously”.
Similarly, Mr Forssmed highlighted the importance of belonging and connection. “No one should have to grow up feeling invisible or alone,” he said. The competition encourages young people to reflect on the fundamental human need “to belong, to be seen and to connect with others”.
“Reading these letters from young students around the world has reminded me why I believe writing is humanity distilled into ink,” said Ms Chao. Congratulating Zhiyuan, she added: “Your words, your characters, they have touched people around the world”.
Launched in 1971, the ILWC encourages young people aged 9 to 15 to develop their writing skills and express their thoughts on issues affecting them and the wider world. Each year, participating UPU member countries organize national competitions through their Posts, often with the support of educational authorities, before submitting their winning letters for evaluation by an international jury.
Read this year’s winning letters here.
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For press inquiries, please contact:
Yana Brugier, brugiery@upu.int
About the UPU
Established in 1874, the Universal Postal Union is the specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for the postal sector. With its 192 member countries, the UPU is the primary forum for cooperation between postal sector players, helping to ensure a truly universal network of up-to-date products and services. In this way, the organization fulfils an advisory, mediatory and liaison role, and provides technical assistance where needed. It sets the rules for international mail exchanges and makes recommendations to stimulate growth in mail and parcel volumes and in financial services, and to improve quality of service for customers.