Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, is facing significant challenges in managing air and plastic pollution. The city’s rapid urbanization and industrialization have resulted in high levels of air pollution, while plastic waste has become a major environmental problem. As future leaders and professionals, students can use their creativity and visual storytelling skills to raise awareness about these critical environmental issues.
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has undertaken a programme titled “Green Cities Initiative” which aims to understand the nexus between air and plastic pollution and the economy of Bangladesh. The Green Cities Initiative will focus on two broad thematic areas: i) air pollution; and ii) plastic pollution.
As part of this study, CPD will organize a photography contest for undergraduate and graduate students.
Objectives
This student photography contest aims to showcase the impact of air and plastic pollution in Dhaka city through a series of powerful images. The competition has the following objectives:
- Raise awareness about the impact of air and plastic pollution on the environment and public health in Dhaka.
- Promote the use of photography as a tool for environmental advocacy and social change.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaborations among students and faculty working on environmental issues in Dhaka.
- Inspire viewers to take action to reduce air and plastic pollution in their communities.
Themes
The photographs need to maintain the following themes:
- The impact of air pollution on public health in Dhaka
- The effect of plastic pollution on the environment in Dhaka
- Community-based solutions to reduce air and plastic pollution in Dhaka
- The role of individuals and institutions in addressing air and plastic pollution in Dhaka
Submission Process
- All applicants must apply at https://forms.gle/rFvpJJqgF1cnYYqt7
- CPD will shortlist the photographs and contact them via email or phone.
Rules and Regulations
- This contest is open only for Bangladeshi national students currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programmes in any university, and within the age of 18 to 35 years old
- All images submitted under a photographer’s identity must have been taken by that photographer.
- The original EXIF metadata must be included with all uploaded images.
- Each participant can submit a maximum of 2 photos (one photo for air pollution and one photo for plastic pollution)
- Both Color and Black and White photographs will be accepted.
- Advanced editing used to create illusions, deceptions and/or manipulations, and the adding and removing of significant elements within the frame is prohibited
- HDR and manipulated, over-post processed or copyright-marked pictures are not allowed.
- Border(s), logo(s), copyright marks, identifying marks, or any other visible references and/or marks on the image are strictly prohibited.
- Photos that depict or incorporate improper and/or objectionable material are not allowed
- Images generated by artificial intelligence (AI), such as Midjourney, DALL-E, etc, are not allowed
- Upon passing the initial screening process, shortlisted appplicants must submit raw photographs with captions and descriptions written in English, as well as their photocopy of their national ID card
- Participants do not have to pay to participate in the exhibition or contest.
- The decision made by the judges is final. CPD holds the right to change the rules and regulations without prior notice to the participants.
Selection Process
A panel of experts will shortlist the best photographs from each category. Once the initial screening is complete, selected participants will be asked to submit their high-resolution photographs through email. CPD will organise a photography exhibition featuring the chosen photographs. Following the exhibition, a panel of judges will select two winning photographs – one from each category – to receive awards.
Awards
- The top two photographs will receive a certificate and prize money of BDT 20,000/-.
- All the shortlisted participants will receive a certificate of participation.
- CPD will organize a photography exhibition featuring the shortlisted photographs.
- CPD will share the shortlisted photographs on CPD’s website and social media platforms.
Deadline
Submission closes on 7 September 2023 at 11.59 pm.