Thursday, October 8, 2009

2009 Indigenous People



To view the high resolution images,  click on the images above
Represented in the above FDCs':

From left to right:
A. Beach Baby, Seychelles, 2001
B. Bario Baseball, Malaysia, 2006
C. Welcome to Beswick, Australia 2003
D. Karen Long Neck Bling, Thailand, 2007
E. Temple Rain Man, Indonesia, 2006
F. Break from Dancing, United Republic of Tanzania, 2001
From left to right:
A. Charcoal and Blue Sky, Papua New Guinea, 2007
B. Himba, Super Model, Namibia, 2001
C. Whiskey and Dancing, Namibia, 2002
D. 100 Mile Smile, United Republic of Tanzania, 2001
E. Akah Bracelet Lady, Thailand, 2006
F. Tavita the Ghost, French Polynesia, 2000

From left to right:
A. The Green Bead, United Republic of Tanzania, 2002
B. Wirrapanda Reconciliation Ceremony, Australia, 2004
C. Somehow Very Sure, Namibia, 2002
D. Bukat Prince, Indonesia, 2006
E. Sunset Braids, Republic of Namibia, 2001
F. Cotton Candy Turban, United Arab Emirates, 2005

Date of Issue: October 8, 2009.

Stamp specifications
Format: 30 mm horizontally by 40 mm vertically, perforation to perforation.

Perforation: 13

Marginal inscriptions: The vertical mini-sheets of six stamps have one marginal inscriptions in the center of the bottom margin. The marginal inscription consists of the United Nations emblem with the text "United" above and the text "Nations 2009" below the emblem. One copyright symbol with the year 2009 appears in the lower left margin. The artist's signature appears in the lower right margin.

Sheet Format: The sheet size measures 110 mm horizontally by 140 mm vertically.

The Artist
Stephen Bennett (USA)

First Day Cancellations Designed By:
New York - Designed by Deborah Halperin
Geneva - Designed by Francois Guiol
Vienna - Designed by Maria Schulz

Printer: The stamps were printed in offset by the Lowe-Martin Group (Canada).

On 8 October 2009, the United Nations Postal Administration issued 18 commemorative stamps in a mini-sheet format of six stamps each on the theme "Indigenous People".

Indigenous people are the inheritors and practitioners of unique cultures and ways of relating to other people and to the environment. Indigenous people have retained social, cultural, economic and political characteristics that are distinct from those of the dominant societies in which they live. Despite their cultural differences, the various groups of indigenous people around the world share common problems related to the protection of their rights as distinct peoples.

Estimates point to more than 370 million indigenous people in some 90 countries worldwide. While they are from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, they share such challenges as lack of basic health care, limited access to education, loss of control over land, discrimination, forced assimilation, abject poverty, displacement, human rights violations, and economic and social marginalization.

Indigenous people around the world have sought recognition of their identities, their ways of life and their right to traditional lands, territories and natural resources; yet throughout history, their rights have been violated. Indigenous people are arguably among the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of people in the world today. The international community now recognizes that special measures are required to protect the rights of the world's indigenous people.

The landmark United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, drafted and debated for more than 20 years, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 2007. The Declaration is the most comprehensive statement of the rights of indigenous peoples ever developed, giving prominence to collective rights to a degree unprecedented in international human rights law. It emphasizes the rights of indigenous peoples to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their self-determined development, in keeping with their needs and aspirations. The adoption of this Declaration is the clearest indication yet that the international community is committing itself to the protection of the individual and collective rights of indigenous peoples.

About the artist and his design:

The stamps were designed by Stephen Bennett (U.S.A.). Mr. Bennett is a dedicated portrait painter living in New York City. He makes annual trips around the world to paint portraits of indigenous people. Young, old, joyful and withered faces populate these vibrant canvases, celebrating a variety of ethnic strains in a tapestry painted with strong brushwork. His objective is to share his experiences of the diversity of human life. His work has been used to promote and preserve cultures in the United States, Mexico, Saint Martin, Panama, French Polynesia, the Seychelles, the United Republic of Tanzania, Namibia, Borneo and Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Papua New Guinea.




Friday, October 2, 2009

International Day of Non-Violence


To view the high resolution images,  click on the images above



Date of Issue: October 2, 2009.

Stamp specifications
Format: 30 mm horizontally by 30 mm vertically, perforation to perforation.

Perforation: 13

The Artist
Dr. Ferdie Pacheco (USA)

First Day Cancellation Designed By:
Deborah Halperin

On 2 October 2009, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued a New York definitive stamp in the denomination of US$ 1.00. The stamp image depicts an artistic rendition of Mahatma Gandhi.

The International Day of Non-Violence is marked on 2 October each year, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philo-sophy and strategy of non-violence. According to General Assembly resolution 61/271 of 15 June 2007 (A/RES/61/271), which established the commemoration, the International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness". The resolution reaffirms "the universal relevance of the principle of non-violence" and the desire "to secure a culture of peace, tolerance, understanding and non-violence".

The life and leadership of Mahatma Gandhi, who helped lead India to independence, have been the inspiration for non-violent movements for civil rights and social change across the world. Throughout his life, Gandhiji remained committed to his belief in non-violence even under oppressive conditions and in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

The theory behind Gandhiji's actions, which included encouraging massive civil disobedience to British law as with the historic Salt March of 1930, was that "just means lead to just ends"; that is, it is irrational to try to use violence to achieve a peaceful society. He believed that Indians must not use violence or hatred in their fight for freedom from colonialism.

The principle of non-violence - also known as non-violent resistance - rejects the use of physical violence in order to achieve social or political change. Often described as "the politics of ordinary people", this form of social struggle has been adopted by mass populations all over the world in campaigns for social justice.

About the artist and his design:

The US$ 1.00 definitive stamp was designed by Dr. Ferdie Pacheco (U.S.A.). Dr. Pacheco was born in Tampa, Florida, in 1927, with deep ancestral roots in Spain. As a painter, his imaginative use of colour and design and his aggressive use of vivid, slashing colourful patterns exude a sense of strength expressing the bold and gutsy personal statements of a man who has immersed himself fully in life. Dr. Pacheco has the rare ability to transfer these experiences onto canvas through intense colour and brushstrokes. His skills earned him the Gold Medal and First Prize in Tonneins, France, and the First Prize, Best Colourist, at Musée du Luxembourg.

Friday, September 25, 2009

UN Millennium Development Goals



To view the high resolution images,  click on the images above

Represented in the above FDC:

Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education.
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women.
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality.
Goal 5: Improve maternal health.
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability.
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development.

Date of Issue: September 25, 2009.

Stamp specifications
Format: 35 mm horizontally by 35 mm vertically, perforation to perforation.

Perforation: 13

Marginal inscriptions: The horizontal mini-sheets of eight stamps have two marginal inscriptions, one in the left margin and one in the right margin. The marginal inscription consists of the United Nations emblem with the text "United" above and the text "Nations 2009" below the emblem. There is a tab on the top margin containing a statement by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, BAN Ki-moon. In addition, one copyright symbol with the year 2009 appears in the lower left margin.

Sheet Format: The sheet consists of eight perforated stamps with a tab on the top. The size of the stamp sheet is 160 mm horizontally by 120 mm vertically.

First Day Cancellations Designed By:
Geneva - Designed by Francois Guiol
Vienna - Designed by Maria Schulz

On 25 September 2009, the United Nations Postal Administration (UNPA) issued a set of 24 commemorative stamps in a mini-sheet format of eight stamps each on the theme "UN Millennium Development Goals".

In September 2000, building upon a decade of major United Nations conferences and summits, world leaders came together at United Nations Headquarters in New York to adopt the United Nations Millennium Declaration, committing their nations to a new global partnership to reduce extreme poverty and setting out a series of time-bound targets - with a deadline of 2015 - that have become known as the Millennium Development Goals.

The 2005 World Summit, held from 14 to 16 September at United Nations Headquarters in New York, brought together more than 170 Heads of State and Government. It was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to take bold decisions in the areas of development, security, human rights and reform of the United Nations. The agenda was based on an achievable set of proposals outlined in March 2005 by Secretary-General Kofi Annan in his report "In Larger Freedom".

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are the world's time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme poverty in its many dimensions-income poverty, hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter and exclusion - while promoting gender equality, education and environmental sustainability. They are also basic human rights - the rights of each person on the planet to health, education, shelter and security.
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