UNESCO and France 2023 Photo Contest on Sport & Inclusion “Celebrating our Differences”

UNESCO’s Social and Human Sciences Sector and France 2023 are joining forces to celebrate diversity and harness the power of rugby to foster more inclusive societies.

In the context of the Rugby and Wheelchair Rugby World Cup 2023 (September-October 2023), UNESCO and France 2023 invite the most creative amateur photographers to join the photo contest “Celebrating our Differences”.

Aimed at promoting rugby’s core values outside the field, it is a call for everyone to fight against any form of discrimination in and through sport. With racism and inequalities on the rise globally, this contest is an opportunity to illustrate the power of art and sport to raise awareness about this issue, break down stereotypes, and support more inclusive societies.

Regardless of age or nationality, all non-professional photographers are welcome to participate and showcase their talents and creativity.

Sport transforms people and societies by transmitting core values such as solidarity, diversity and mutual respect. We are delighted to collaborate France 2023 to launch this photo contest that promotes the benefits of rugby and raises awareness of the fight against all forms of discrimination. Together we work for a more inclusive and peaceful world.

Gabriela RamosAssistant Director-General for Social and Human Sciences of UNESCO

The themes

Submitted photos must illustrate at least one of the following themes. Participants can submit one photo per theme, for a total of four photos.

• Rugby for all genders, to highlight diversity and gender equality.
• Rugby to foster inclusion of people with disabilities
• Rugby to tackle discrimination, to fight against racism and LGBTI-phobia.
• Our differences make us stronger, to celebrate physical, social, cultural and generational differences.

• Table of Content
• About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• UNESCO Photo Contest on Sport & Inclusion “Celebrating our Differences”
• Aim and Benefits of UNESCO Photo Contest on Sport & Inclusion “Celebrating our Differences”
• Requirements for UNESCO Photo Contest on Sport & Inclusion “Celebrating our Differences” Qualification
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It seeks to build peace through international cooperation in Education, the Sciences and Culture. UNESCO's programmes contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015. Political and economic arrangements of governments are not enough to secure the lasting and sincere support of the peoples. Peace must be founded upon dialogue and mutual understanding. Peace must be built upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of humanity. I... continue reading

UNESCO Photo Contest on Sport & Inclusion “Celebrating our Differences”

Aim and Benefits of UNESCO Photo Contest on Sport & Inclusion “Celebrating our Differences”

UNESCO will select a total of 16 winners, distributed in three winners per theme (one winner per category) and one “Coup de cœur Canon” per theme chosen from all the categories.

The winners will:

• Have their photo exhibited at UNESCO Headquarters in the summer of 2023 and in the host cities of the World Cup. The photos will also be published online on the websites and social media platforms of UNESCO and France 2023.
• Receive one UNESCO photobook, one Canon camera, and one voucher for the France 2023 official store.

Requirements for UNESCO Photo Contest on Sport & Inclusion “Celebrating our Differences” Qualification

• Any person willing to highlight the values of rugby can participate, in one of the three following categories:
  • Under 18 years old;
  • From 18 to 30 years old
  • Over 30 years old.
• Professional photographers are not allowed to participate in the contest.

Format of the Photo

• Dimensions can either be portrait or landscape.
• Photos should be high-resolution (minimum 2480 x 3720 – 300 dpi).
• Photo must be sent in digital format, as a JPEG file, including RAW file (if applicable).
• The photos can be in colour or black and white.
• Cropping is allowed without obligation to respect the original ratio.
• Retouching is allowed in a very moderate way without distorting the scenes or subjects photographed (brightness, contrast, straightening, correction of minor defects, localized retouching).

Application Deadline

How to Apply

Photos must be sent before 11 June 2023, at 11:59 pm GMT +2.

• Photo(s) must be sent by email to the following address: [email protected]
• Subject of the mail: Theme of the photo – Name of the participant
• Title of the file: NAME_Firstname_theme_category.

Each photo must be accompanied by a title and a caption containing 200 words maximum, in English or French, explaining its context and its contribution to the chosen theme. UNESCO and France 2023 reserve the right to use the submitted photos and to make modifications.

For more details visit: UNESCO website.