Photograph competition for disabled persons

With the objective of promoting understanding and their right to decent work, the International Labour Organisation, Disabled Peoples' International and Irish Aid are jointly organising an Asia-Pacific photograph competition under the theme "Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities" to raise awareness of the United Nations International Day of Disabled Persons on the 3 rd December 2007.

According to a statement by ILO the competition is open to everyone aged over 18 residing in the Asia-Pacific Region. The first prize carries the cash purse of US$1,000. The closing date for entries is noon on the 21 st November 2007.

"The competition has been created with the aim of promoting an understanding within the Asia-Pacific region of people with disabilities and their right to decent work," states the statement.

Photographs must include disabled people in the work environment, including those who are self-employed, and be linked to the concept of decent work or of people advocating their rights to decent work.

Decent work is productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity and has also been defined by Mr. Juan Somavia, Director General, ILO, as "work that meets people's basic aspirations, not only for income, but for security for themselves and their families, without discrimination or harassment, and providing equal treatment for women and men with and without a disability."

"Entries for the competition will only be accepted in digital format and must have a file size of no less than 1 megabyte. Photographs should be no more than 2 years old, and must not have won prizes in any other photographic competition. Submissions must include a caption explaining the disability of the subject and the link to decent work."

The photographs will be judged by a panel of experts comprising leading photographers, the International Labour Organization, Disabled People's International, employers', trade union and disabled persons' representatives.

The "Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities" photograph competition will be open for submissions from the 25th October to the 21 st November 2007. Submissions can also be made via the competition website: www.jigsaw-communications.com/ilo. nepalnews.com Oct 25 07