The Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) is now accepting
entries to the first Asean-wide photo contest "Zooming in on Biodiversity."
In partnership with the European Commission, Asean member
states, and the Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, the photo
contest seeks to popularize the values of biodiversity through the medium of
photography.
Rodrigo U. Fuentes, ACB executive director, said only a small
fraction of the global population, mostly scientists and environmentalists,
understands the role that biodiversity plays in humankind’s survival.
"This lack of knowledge often translates to the lack of care
for the environment. There is an urgent need to popularize biodiversity and one
effective way is to use the power of photos. By translating biodiversity and its
relationship with health, food security, climate change and other every day
human issues into powerful images, we can generate a greater awareness for this
often-difficult-to-grasp concept," Fuentes said.
The contest will run until August 30, 2009 with a total of
$7,700 prize at stake. First placers in the three categories will have an
opportunity to exhibit their winning photos and attend the Asean Conference on
Biodiversity in Singapore on October 21 to 23, 2009 for free.
Open to residents of Asean member states Brunei, Cambodia,
Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam, the contest welcomes entries which are exclusive to the contest,
unpublished, and not submitted to previous contests.
Entries should capture various images related to biodiversity
(plants, animals, marine life, Asean Heritage Parks) or the many benefits that
biodiversity brings to human beings, its importance, the threats biodiversity
face (deforestation, climate change), or how biodiversity affects lives. Photos
showing initiatives to protect biodiversity resources such as plants, animals
and marine species are also welcome. Entries can also depict biodiversity as
source of food (food and agriculture); biodiversity as source of medicine
(health and medicine); biodiversity as source of shelter; biodiversity and
climate change; the aesthetic value of biodiversity; biodiversity as source of
livelihood; and biodiversity and ecotourism.
For contest details and mechanics, log on to
www.aseanbiodiversity.org.
