Stamps move more than mail, stamps move people

“Stamps Move More Than Mail, Stamps Move People” A Modest Proposal for a Message of Peace

23 December 2015 An open letter to: President Barack Obama Secretary of State John Kerry Postmaster General Megan Brennan Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet US Postal Service Inspector General David Williams The UPU Philately Programme Philatelic Divisions of the UPU Member Countries World Association for the Development of Philately

The United States government has an opportunity to extend a message for peace around the world and reaffirm its commitment to the founding ideals of the Peace Corps1 “To promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:   

To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans”

Following is a unique proposal combining the reputation and history of outreach of the Peace Corps with the power of human communication through the global postal services.

The proposal envisions a multi-national joint postal commemorative philatelic issue between the United States and every country of the world where the Peace Corps has served. As a reference point the United States and Japan recently issued joint commemorative stamps for “Gifts of Friendship (Japan Joint Issue)” https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_589804.

I believe this multi-national philatelic issue will move more than mail, it will move people.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on making this a reality.

Sincere regards, John C. Manzolillo jmanzolillo@gmail.com

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About Us - http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/

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“Stamps Move More Than Mail, Stamps Move People” A Modest Proposal for a Message of Peace

BACKGROUND The Peace Corps is the most unique organization on earth. No other government has created as powerful and influential an ambassador of good will and international development. It is truly a part of the ‘brand ‘of the United States of America and its people. While it is perhaps the smallest agency of the US government, its impact is enormous. Since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961 over 210,000 American volunteers have served overseas2. In fact volunteers have served in over 140 host countries, past and present3. They presently serve in 64 countries, and countries continually request the Peace Corps to establish volunteers to come work with their people.

Over 6,800 Peace Corps volunteers currently serve worldwide: Africa: 45% Latin America: 23% Eastern Europe/Central Asia: 10% Asia: 12% The Caribbean: 4%, North Africa/Middle East: 3%, Pacific Islands: 3%4.

Postal Services connect virtually every person on the face of the planet through their universal service obligation, well beyond the reach of the electronic networks of Wi-Fi and the internet. As such postal communications truly represent a voice for all humankind. And perhaps the greatest representation of that communication is the humble postage stamp. Nations issue special philatelic editions of their postage stamps to promote their country’s history, technology, arts, culture and geographic features. They are the proud communications of nations worldwide.

So the opportunity presents itself for the United States to communicate its special commitment to human development and peace via the Peace Corps using a powerful, universally recognized communications tool. As noted by the World Association for the Development of Philately “Postage stamps serve as ambassadors for (their) countries…”5

CONCEPT In overview, the concept proposal is for the United States of America to issue joint commemorative postage stamps in conjunction with each country around the world where the Peace Corps has volunteered, past and present.

Specifically the US and each individual country would collaborate on their ‘country pair’ designs. For example, the philatelic designs could be representative of the volunteer programs in each country.

And the issue dates for these commemorative stamps would coincide with the historical dates when volunteers first arrived in each country.

Peace Corps “Decades of Service” http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/history/decades/ Peace Corps fast Facts; http://www.peacecorps.gov/about/fastfacts/ 4 IBID 5 POSTAL OPERATIONS COUNCIL Committee 2 (Markets Development) World Association for the Development of Philately Management Committee http://www.upu.int/uploads/tx_sbdownloader/developmentPlanPhilately20132016En.pdf 2 3

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“Stamps Move More Than Mail, Stamps Move People” A Modest Proposal for a Message of Peace

Historical Postal Precedent Joint commemorative stamp issues are common in the international postal community6. In fact the United States Postal Service has issued joint commemorative stamps several times in the past, including;    

U.S. Postal Service and Sweden Posten Receive Award for the Joint Issuance of the 2005 Greta Garbo Commemorative Postage Stamp7, September 2005 The first joint stamp issue between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, October 9, 19948; figure 1.

U.S.- Switzerland Joint Issue, February 17, 19919 U.S. and France Jointly Issue Stamps, June 29, 198610

Figure 1.

CONCLUSION Yes, the project would be a complex undertaking, involving a unique cross governmental agency team approach with the US Department of State as international liaison on behalf of the White House, the Peace Corps as historical and technical advisor and the US Postal Service as project lead agency in conjunction with the philatelic divisions in the designated postal services of each of the corresponding foreign countries. Funding could be divided among the above agencies as well as supported by sales of the philatelic products and possibly donations from the American public similar to a Kickstarter project, or even a special peace appropriation by Congress.

Think of the positive impact this could have on the United States’ standing around the world.

Envision your letter to each head of state inviting them to participate in this Message of Peace.

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Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_issue PR Newswire - http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-postal-service-and-sweden-postenreceive-award-for-the-joint-issuance-of-the-2005-greta-garbo-commemorative-postage-stamp56252982.html 8 National Postal Museum - http://postalmuseum.si.edu/pacificexchange/p6.html 9 http://articles.philly.com/1991-02-17/news/25775699_1_joint-issue-swiss-confederation-postmaster 10 NYT - http://www.nytimes.com/1986/06/29/arts/stamps-us-and-france-jointly-issue-stamps.html 7

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