Photography, art and design students from the 27 EU Member
States are invited to take part in the “Breaking Stereotypes” photo
competition, to make a creative and refreshing statement for
diversity and against discrimination. The competition is
part of the five-year EU information campaign “For Diversity.
Against Discrimination.”, which is incorporated into the 2007
European Year of Equal Opportunities for All campaign.
Both
are pan-European information initiatives run by the European
Commission. In line with EU anti-discrimination legislation, which
has been operational for several years, these campaigns aim to
encourage the benefits of diversity and combat discrimination on the
grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, age,
disability, sexual orientation and gender.
What is the
competition about? The title of the competition, “Breaking
Stereotypes”, underlines the fact that discrimination is often based
on stereotypes and prejudices held by society. The objective of the
competition is not only to create awareness of diversity issues
among young people, but also a better understanding of what
discrimination means to the young population of Europe. Instead of
preaching about the new laws, the EU invites young artists to
produce images with a strong and stimulating impact, expressing how
young Europeans see a world without stereotypes.
The winners
will be selected in August from a shortlist of 35 entries. A total
of € 9,000 prize money will be shared among the first, second and
third place winners, as well as the first place winner’s university
or academic institution. All 35 shortlisted photos will be featured
in a travelling exibition starting in Brussels and visiting the
capital cities of the three winners. The jury will consist of
renowned and famous photography and art experts, including
high-profile and young photographers, professors and media experts
from different EU countries.
Last year’s “Breaking
Stereotypes” poster competition already demonstrated the enthusiasm
and motivation creative competitions can evoke in young people. A
total of 767 eligible entries were received from talented designers
in the 25 Member States that existed at the time. Poland topped the
entry tables with an amazing 143 submissions, and also conributed
the winning design! Runner-up Germany (95 entries) was followed
closely by Austria (81), Greece (69) and Italy (66). Which country
will dazzle the jury this year with the most expressive and relevant
photograph? Which country will be the most inspired by the
competition? And how will newcomers Romania and Bulgaria express
their views on diversity?
So, young photographers across
Europe, take your camera and capture your own vision of diversity
and a world without discrimination!
The “Breaking
Stereotypes” photo competition is open from March 1st until June
30th, 2007. Students of photography, art and design are invited to
participate. Entrants need to be registered at an academy,
university or college in one of the 27 EU Member States.
For
detailed information on the competition rules and the entry
procedure:
http://photocompetition.stop-discrimination.info/
For more information on both campaigns, please visit:
www.stop-discrimination.infohttp://equality2007.europa.eu Sarah
Coppens
Media Consulta International Holding
Tel.: +49 (0)
30 65 000-358
s.coppens@media-consulta.com