| Copyright | The International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth of the United Nations Development Programme agrees to fully credit all photographs submitted to the Global Campaign, by reference to the name of the participant following the standard format “IPC PHOTO / PARTICIPANT NAME”. Participants within the Humanizing Development Global Photography Campaign must agree to transfer, irreversibly and irrevocably, all intellectual property rights pertaining to their submitted photographs to the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth of the United Nations Development Programme. |
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| Eligibility | Open to both amateur and professional photographers, as well as to the general public. |
| Finish | 1 October 2009 |
| Entry fee | Free |
Finished
How do you see development? How can you portrait the human face of the development processes? How do you show that development initiatives and programmes improve the lives of people? This Global Photography Campaign aims to show examples of people winning the battle against poverty, social exclusion and marginalization. It is intended to raise awareness of the successes in the development process. The campaign is intended to counterbalance the frequently shown images of desolation and despair. A photo gallery will to be permanently located at IPC-IG office and open for public visitation.
This campaign will enable people to contribute photographs related to a wide array of development situations, such as:
- Overcoming poverty, social exclusion and marginalisation.
- Enlarging people’s choices and supporting local development initiatives.
- Promoting self-esteem, confidence and hope.
- Building a brighter future and advancing human capacities.
- Fighting deprivation and expanding access to food, water, sanitation, education and health services for the poor.
- Eliminating gender inequalities in the labour market.
- Empowering women.
- Fighting discrimination, domestic violence, abuse and exploitation.
- Eliminating child labour and promoting decent work opportunities.
- Expanding access to education and improving its quality and social inclusiveness through innovative approaches.
- Innovative initiatives on local development, enhancing the participation of communities in decision processes.
- Enhancing women’s potential and participation in development processes.
- Promoting women’s leadership and equal opportunity to develop talents.
- Building democratic governance and developing institutions and processes that are more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens, including the poor. Alleviating exclusion, suffering, injustice and waste caused by corruption.
- Empowering citizens to combat the destructive influence of corruption, entrenched networks and abuse of power.
As a reward, your contribution to this campaign and your effort in supporting its goals will be acknowledged by a wide dissemination of your work through a range of UN communications tools:
- The selected photographs and the respective contributors’ names will be highlighted in various UN communications channels, such as IPC-IG and UN media campaigns, releases, websites and so forth.
- The selected photograph will be part of UNDP and IPC-IG photo databases and will be shared with the United Nations Department of Public Information in New York, promoting global visibility to contributors, their work and participation in the global campaign.
- Contributors will receive a certificate jointly issued by the UNDP International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth and the campaign partners.
- Contributors will have their names displayed at the IPC-IG photo gallery on "Humanizing Development", which will be launched at a public event on November 2009.
- Photo exhibitions are to be organised in order to highlight the photographs and the contributors and to promote the campaign goals. Exhibitions are planned to be held in New York, Brasilia, São Paulo, and other cities in the South.
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To take part in the Campaign, potential participants should upload their photograph(s) to the Global Photography Campaign website, which is hosted on the website of the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth of the United Nations Development Programme
http://www.ipc-undp.org/photo/index.htm#howparticipate .
Each participant may send up to 5 photographs that significantly represent the theme.
Official web site: http://www.ipc-undp.org/photo/index.htm
Frequently asked questions — Amateur photography contests
Who can enter amateur photography contests?
Most amateur contests welcome non-professional photographers worldwide—hobbyists, students, and emerging creators. Many explicitly exclude those who earn primary income from photography to ensure a level playing field. Always verify age requirements and amateur-status definitions on the official contest page.
Are amateur photography contests free to enter?
Many are free or low-cost: entry fees typically range from $0–$25 per submission, with student discounts or early-bird rates often available. Fee status and discount tiers are confirmed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do amateur photography contests offer?
Prizes emphasize growth and exposure: cash awards range $100–$2,500, while non-monetary rewards include mentorship feedback, online feature spots, workshop scholarships, or entry credits to advanced contests. Even without large cash prizes, these contests offer valuable confidence-building opportunities.
How do I choose which amateur contest to enter?
Prioritize contests that match your current skill level and genre interests. Look for opportunities offering constructive feedback or educational components, confirm that professional photographers are excluded (if that matters to you), and review rights clauses—even amateur contests may request usage rights for promotional purposes.
Frequently asked questions — Free photography contests
Who can enter free photography contests?
Most free contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of experience level or equipment. Many explicitly encourage students, hobbyists, and emerging creators—always verify age requirements or thematic restrictions on the official contest page.
Are free photography contests really free?
Yes—entry is $0 across the board. Some contests offer optional paid perks like expedited feedback or printed certificates, but submission, judging, and basic participation remain completely free. Fee status is confirmed in the Quick Facts section on each PhotoCompete listing.
What prizes do free photography contests offer?
Prizes vary widely: cash awards range $100–$5,000, while non-monetary rewards include online features, publication credits, mentorship sessions, exhibition inclusion, or gear donations. Even without cash, free contests offer valuable exposure and portfolio-building opportunities.
How do I choose which free contest to enter?
Prioritize contests whose theme or mission aligns with your work. Review past winners to gauge style preferences, confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), and read rights clauses carefully—even free contests may request usage rights for promotional purposes.
Frequently asked questions — International photography contests
Who can enter international photography contests?
Most international contests welcome photographers worldwide, regardless of nationality or experience level. Always verify eligibility on the official contest page—some restrict by age (18+), amateur/professional status, or thematic focus.
Are international photography contests free to enter?
Some are free; many charge $10–$50 per image, with early-bird discounts often available. Entry fees and deadline tiers are listed in the Quick Facts section at the top of each contest page on PhotoCompete.
What prizes do international photography contests offer?
Prizes range from cash awards ($500–$25,000) to gallery exhibitions, publication features, professional gear, and artist residencies. Prestigious awards like the Sony World Photography Awards or IPA carry significant industry recognition.
How do I choose which international contest to enter?
Align your strongest work with the contest theme and review past winners to gauge aesthetic preferences. Confirm technical specs (resolution, file format), check rights clauses carefully, and prioritize contests whose mission matches your artistic goals.