Project
UNESCO Youth 2024 Photo Competition: Documenting Intangible and Tangible Cultural Assets in Kenya
The UNESCO Regional Office for Eastern Africa invites Kenyan youth to become active custodians of their heritage! Join us in promoting and protecting Kenya's cultural assets by creatively documenting them through photography and essays.
This competition empowers young people to leverage their cultural and natural heritage as a force for sustainable development, social cohesion, education, creativity, and innovation.
UNESCO-Designated Biosphere Reserves and World Heritage sites in Kenya:
Details about the competition are provided below.
Thematic areas
Participants can choose one of the four thematic areas for submissions:
- Traditional Foods: Document traditional culinary practices and their roles in cultural identity and sustainability, focusing on how these practices are supported by traditional knowledge systems that rely on biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services.
- Traditional Dances: Capture the essence and cultural significance of traditional dances, highlighting their role in rituals and community celebrations that emphasize the harmony between humans and the environment.
- Cultural Sacred Sites: Document sacred sites within the community, emphasizing their role as biodiversity reservoirs amidst increasing environmental pressures, illustrating their importance in maintaining the relationship between people and the environment.
Indigenous Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation: Demonstrate local practices that support biodiversity conservation and ecosystem management, focusing on sustainable resource management, climate change adaptation, and conservation strategies.
Submission Guidelines
- Photos: Submit 3 to 5 high-quality digital photographs within the chosen thematic area.
- Essay: Submit an essay of up to 4,000 characters detailing the cultural significance and environmental relevance of the photographs within the chosen thematic area.
- Consent Acknowledgments: Any submission must be accompanied by:
- Photo Permission Acknowledgment: Participants must confirm that they have obtained permission from all individuals depicted in the photographs.
- Grant of Rights Acknowledgment: Participants must grant UNESCO permission to use the submitted materials.
- Photo Quality: Preferably a minimum resolution of 1MB.
- Submission Process: Upload all materials (photos, essay, and consent forms) using the provided
Evaluation Criteria
- Thematic Alignment: How well the submission fits within the selected thematic area.
- Cultural and Environmental Significance: Effectiveness of the narrative in explaining the importance of the depicted subject.
- Originality: Uniqueness and authenticity of the content.
- Artistic Expression: Creativity and quality of the photographs and essay.
- Storytelling: Ability of the essay to tell a compelling story linked to the photographs.
- Clarity and Structure: Overall structure and clarity of the essay.
- Consent Compliance: Ensuring all photographs of identifiable individuals include signed consent forms.
The awarding panel will include experts from UNESCO’s Natural Sciences and Culture Sectors, the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO (KNATCOM), the National Museums of Kenya, and the National Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Committee.
Prizes and Recognition
First Prize Winners will be awarded on 3 November 2024, at the Mount Kenya Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage site, aligning with the International Day for Biosphere Reserves. Travel and accommodation for the award ceremony will be fully funded by UNESCO.
A meaningful prize will be given to all winners.
All winners will receive a certificate of award and gain visibility and exposure through UNESCO initiatives.
Key Dates
Submission Deadline: 12 September 2024, by 11:59 PM EAT. Late submissions will not be considered.
Winner Announcement: 30 September 2024.
Award Ceremony: 3 November 2024.
Additional Note
Submissions will be checked for originality and must not be generated by AI tools to ensure authenticity and prevent plagiarism.
