On Saturday, 25 June, the results of the first national photo contest 'People of Good Will' in Tajikistan were announced. The award ceremony took place during the opening of the photo-exhibition in Dushanbe at Bactria Cultural Center.
On Monday, 20 June, the first national photo contest 'People of Good Will' in Tajikistan received its last entries and 2 days later a jury, composed of organisers and professional photographers, decided on the winners. Results of the photo contest were announced at an award ceremony during the opening of the photo exhibition in Dushanbe on Saturday, 25 June, at Bactria Cultural Center.
'People of Good Will' was organised in Tajikistan for the first time in the framework of a global campaign on marking the tenth Anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers. From 13 May to 20 June, 34 citizens of Tajikistan registered to take part in the contest and submitted 96 photos that demonstrated their understanding of volunteering. The contestants entries published at the official website of the contest demonstrate the unselfish contribution of the people of Tajikistan towards the development of their country. The photos portray people committed to improve the world around them regardless of their age, social or financial status.
One of the contestants who submitted his photo under the category 'Volunteering does not have age' stated, "We dont need to grow adult in order to bring good to the world. Do not regard you age or your merits. Ask yourself, What can I do to improve the world around? Rush to do good things today!"
In addition to the mentioned theme, the contestants reflected on volunteers activity in the field of environment, healthy life style and community volunteering. Organisers of the contest and professional photographers formed a jury to select a winner in each of the categories as well as to decide on who will be awarded the main prize of the photo contest a camera Canon EOS 500D. The selection criteria were photo composition, originality of the idea, and a relevance to the subject of the contest. The winners are Galina Yunusova (main prize), Ikrom Mamadov in the category Volunteer for our Planet, Mekhrangez Bakhromi in the category You wont get sick with us, Nemat Tahirdjanov in the category Volunteering does not have age and Zamira Ablaeva in the category Building better future together.
Up until 23 June, all visitors to the virtual gallery at the official contests site were able to vote for their most liked image. Based on their ratings the Best Mans Choice award a Canon EOS Rebel XS camera was awarded to Kamila Mirzoeva for her photo A pumpkin to feed everyone. Other prizes include digital cameras, a netbook and e-book.
After the award ceremony professional photographer and member of the jury Mikhail Ratushenko invited winners and former contestants to attend a master-class on the art of photography.
The photo contest was organised by the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme jointly with the UN office in Tajikistan, UNFPA, Energy and Environment programme of UNDP and media holding company Oila. The organizers envisage that the contest will contribute to promoting public dialogue on traditional forms of volunteering intrinsic to Tajikistans culture as well as bring into focus its new contemporary manifestations.
For more detailed information, please contact Ms. Anna Belousova, UNV Programme Officer, at (+992.44) 600.55.96 (ext. 128), e-mail: hanna[dot]byelousova[at]undp.org
Marking the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers
Volunteering empowers people to take an active part in the development of their own communities, to take responsibility for the needs of others, and to make an impact in their own lives. Volunteering often starts at home: but together, volunteers can change the world.
It is 10 years since the International Year of Volunteers in 2001, and through United Nations General Assembly Resolution 63/153 (2008), the United Nations called for this anniversary to be marked across the planet. The aims of the wide range of partners are to promote the values of volunteering, recognize the value of volunteering, build and reinforce volunteering networks both nationally and globally, and help people tap their potential to make a difference to peace-building and development.