2013 UN Geneva World Radio Day

World Radio Day

The U.N. and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) approved the creation of World Radio Day in 2011 to raise awareness of the importance of radio, to facilitate access to information, and to enhance networking among broadcasters.  Radio continues to be the most cost-effective method of bringing information to the people on a widespread scale.  It plays a vital role in emergency communication and disaster relief and is well-suited to bring information to those most vulnerable.  Radio provides a public platform regardless of one’s background or education. 

World Radio Day is observed on the 13th of February, commemorating the launch of U.N. Radio on that day in 1946.  In celebration of World Radio Day 2013, the United Nations Postal Administration issued three pairs of stamps.  Each stamp design features a different image that captures an aspect of radio communication throughout history.  The stamps themselves boast an interactive feature allowing smart phone or tablet users to directly download and launch the U.N. Radio application.