World Youth Movement for Democracy: First Annual Photography Contest

Youth in Action: A Snapshot of Democracy

Share Your Experiences and Capture Images of Democracy
Submit your photo capturing democracy, and win an opportunity to attend one of the largest global gatherings of democracy activists, scholars, policy makers, and donors. The World Youth Movement for Democracy is pleased to announce the launch of its Global Photo Contest. Fifteen semi-finalists (Five in each category: Building a Movement, Democracy in Action, and Youth Igniting Change) will be announced on 1 December 2011, and will have their winning photo published on the WYMD Web site. One finalist will be selected from each category through online open voting for a total of three finalists. The final results of the contest will be announced on 15 December 2011.
Photo Categories

Democracy has been practiced in different ways and in different contexts. We believe there are core universal democratic values and aspirations that we all share, even though we live in different countries and regions, speak different languages, and practice different traditions. These can be reflected in our daily lives, and images capturing them can tell many stories about how people see, and where people find, democracy.

The purpose of this contest is to demonstrate understanding of the workings of democracy in your daily life by capturing images of democracy in action, youth igniting change, or the building of movements to create change for your community. The categories below outline concepts that photographs should embody. Each category is open to participant’s personal interpretation and understanding of how the photo applies to the relevant category, and should be accompanied by a short (100 word maximum) tagline to explain your concept and reasoning behind the photograph.
 Each submitted photo is required to fall into one of the following categories:
Building a Movement — youth, human rights, and women’s rights movements, among others, can begin with just one person reaching out to a few others in his or her community. How do you and other young people begin building a movement from the grassroots up? How are young people and broader communities mobilized? How does a movement grow? Why are you part of a particular movement? 

Democracy in Action — democracy is more than casting a vote. It includes active participation in your community and the political freedom to do so. It can be gathering your neighbors to hold a community discussion, posting information expressing different viewpoints, or joining a political party or civic organization. What does democracy mean to you? How do you perceive democracy in your community? What areas are others trying to improve? What is it about democracy that you most appreciate in your community? How does democracy translate to action?

Youth Igniting Change — Youth are a powerful force to bring about change to a community. Often change comes about by youth asking the question “why?” and planting the seed to make others in the community think progressively to improve society and policies. What are youth doing to positively change your community? How is change brought about?
Submissions

Please submit your photo by 1 November 2011, online at: wymdonline.org/contest/2011 Photo Contest/Contest Entry Form.html. Photos may be in jpeg, bmp, or gif format. Your submission must include a short caption that provides the necessary background to understand the meaning of the photo. The caption can be submitted in Arabic, English, French, Russian, or Spanish, and can be no longer than 100 words.

Rules and Regulations

Each participant can submit only one photo per category to the contest and may not enter duplicate photos (i.e. enter the same photo to each category). A person who violates this regulation will become automatically ineligible. By submitting a photo to the contest, the participant consents to publication of his/her original work and photos must not be previously published. Participants must be no younger than 18 and no older than 35 years old before 1 November 2011. Participants are welcome from all parts of the world – where democracy is limited, transitioning, or established.

Timeline
August 2011 – Launch of the Essay Contest
November 1, 2011 – DEADLINE!
December 1, 2011 – Announcement of 15 semi-finalists (five from each of three categories), and open online voting to select three finalists (one from each category).
December 15, 2011 – Three finalists announced
Review Process

Each category will have its own regionally balanced review committee that will be comprised ofLeadership Board members and Democracy Ambassadors to determine the five semi-finalists. Photos will be evaluated based on:
Clarity—is it understandable what the picture is meant to capture and how it relates to the category; 

Creativity—is the concept of the photo original and capture democracy in a new light or bring a new understanding to it; 

Practicality—does the picture capture ideas or concepts that show how democracy can be applied and is applicable in diverse communities; and 

Message— does the picture communicate a meaningful and relevant message.
 The photos of the 15 semi-finalists will be posted online for open voting to determine three finalists in each category.
Prizes

Finalists will be provided with sponsorship to cover their travel and other expenses to participate in the Seventh Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy in October 2012. (www.wmd.org)

The photos of the three finalists will be showcased on the World Youth Movement for Democracy and World Movement for Democracy Web sites, as well as at the Seventh Assembly. To submit an entry to the Photo Contest click here.

Help spread the Photo Contest announcement! A flier with full information can be found here.

What If People All Over The World Prayed for Peace: Symphony of Peace Prayers

What if all of us prayed for global peace? Imagine the positive energies that would be generated by our common thought and desire!

The power of prayer is beyond measure. Historically, many battles were won with it. Numerous miracles were brought about by prayer.

Yes, there are groups of people who sincerely pray for world peace. Most of us sincerely wish for peace in the world. Except for some businesses which thrive in and other entities that benefit from wars and conflicts, many of us who believe that wars and conflicts are not the necessary and ultimate means to achieve what we want must stand up for non-violent and peaceful means such as prayers.

Annually, the Symphony of Peace Prayers on Global Peace Meditation and Prayer Day gather people of various faiths to have 24-hour prayer marathon in different locations in the world. The idea originated in Fuji Sanctuary in Japan, with the Byakko Shinko Kai. The organization is dedicated to promoting world peace through a universal prayer, "May Peace Prevail On Earth."

The activity exudes love and gratitude to humanity and all living things on earth.

Peace-TAYO was able to participate in this year's (2011) celebration of Symphony of Peace Prayers in Miriam College last May 22. It was organized by the Mandala Peace Arts Initiative, Inc. in partnership with Peacemakers' Circle Foundation and United Religious Initiative (URI) in Southeast Asia-Pacific.

Various groups and organizations joined and all prayed, May Peace Prevail On Earth!

As the song goes, and let it begin with me!

Peace tayo!