Peace and Collaborative Development Network
Building Bridges, Networks and Expertise Across Sectors
Proposal to World Press Photo - Peace and Reconciliation Photography
Kyoto, Japan
December 17, 2009
Dear World Press Photo people
It goes without saying that your exhibition this year too was marvellous. That more than 5.000 photographers of 124 nationalities submitted almost 100.000 images testifies to the intensity with which images, not only text, contribute to our awareness, knowledge and compassion for the world.
The proposal I want to put forward here is exclusively constructive. As a peace researcher/worker - at the moment visiting professor at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto (I saw you exhibition in the university's World Peace Museum) - I am certainly able to understand that the economic and political wars, natural catastrophes, the human suffering and the refugees and homeless people are part of our reality, the world's reality. No discussion whether it should be covered, or not. That explains, I assume, why the great majority of the images selected for the exhibition, depict violence one way or the other.
However, is there something else that could also describe our global situation? Is there something that would resemble the practise and theory of peace journalism, pioneered by peace researcher Johan Galtung and eminent media people-cum-researcher like Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick in their textbook, Peace Journalism?
Could one imagine that there would also be a category in your 2010 exhibition that would stimulate photographers around the world to cover themes such as peace, nonviolence, reconciliation, tolerance and forgiveness?
Although I am half-ways a photogrpaher myself, trying to combine international peace work with my amateur interest in images and graphic art - www.obergphotographics.com - I am not sure whether there is anything that can be called peace photography. I know it is not the boring, static sun-set or over-romanticised images of holding hands or showing the peace signs at demos, etc.
It is, if anything, deeply significant everyday events, small signs in the corners, calm and harmony, play and conviviality - not "rest in peace" of the graveyards, for sure!
On the other hand, I ask myself - and in a way you too: Why should there not be something called peace photography? Why should violence and suffering be so much more easy to find and shoot than the beauty of what human beings can also do to each other, including forgive and reconciliate?
So, my proposal is that World Press Photo 2010 would announce in advance that there is a new category, or theme, that people can also submit to - peace and reconciliation photography, or something like that. And let's see what is submitted to that category - it could be that that is what one would define as peace photography?
Since peace and reconciliation and nonviolent struggle do take place in societies everywhere - I myself have worked with young Hutus and Tutsis in Burundi and all the sides in the ex-Yugoslav space - it must also be possible to shoot images of it. But perhaps we don't see it when it happens?
Perhaps we are blinded by the general mainstream media tendency to convey stories of bloodshed, tragedy and utter violence - in short "bad" news. But does that cover the whole reality? Does it in any way encourage people to take action for a better future for all? I think the answer is that it does not!
I'd be happy to hear your spontaneous reaction to my proposal.
And thanks for your attention - and for giving us so many strong, memorable image experiences!
Kind regards
Jan Oberg, PhD
Professor Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto
Director of TFF - Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, Lund, Sweden.
December 17, 2009
Dear World Press Photo people
It goes without saying that your exhibition this year too was marvellous. That more than 5.000 photographers of 124 nationalities submitted almost 100.000 images testifies to the intensity with which images, not only text, contribute to our awareness, knowledge and compassion for the world.
The proposal I want to put forward here is exclusively constructive. As a peace researcher/worker - at the moment visiting professor at Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto (I saw you exhibition in the university's World Peace Museum) - I am certainly able to understand that the economic and political wars, natural catastrophes, the human suffering and the refugees and homeless people are part of our reality, the world's reality. No discussion whether it should be covered, or not. That explains, I assume, why the great majority of the images selected for the exhibition, depict violence one way or the other.
However, is there something else that could also describe our global situation? Is there something that would resemble the practise and theory of peace journalism, pioneered by peace researcher Johan Galtung and eminent media people-cum-researcher like Jake Lynch and Annabel McGoldrick in their textbook, Peace Journalism?
Could one imagine that there would also be a category in your 2010 exhibition that would stimulate photographers around the world to cover themes such as peace, nonviolence, reconciliation, tolerance and forgiveness?
Although I am half-ways a photogrpaher myself, trying to combine international peace work with my amateur interest in images and graphic art - www.obergphotographics.com - I am not sure whether there is anything that can be called peace photography. I know it is not the boring, static sun-set or over-romanticised images of holding hands or showing the peace signs at demos, etc.
It is, if anything, deeply significant everyday events, small signs in the corners, calm and harmony, play and conviviality - not "rest in peace" of the graveyards, for sure!
On the other hand, I ask myself - and in a way you too: Why should there not be something called peace photography? Why should violence and suffering be so much more easy to find and shoot than the beauty of what human beings can also do to each other, including forgive and reconciliate?
So, my proposal is that World Press Photo 2010 would announce in advance that there is a new category, or theme, that people can also submit to - peace and reconciliation photography, or something like that. And let's see what is submitted to that category - it could be that that is what one would define as peace photography?
Since peace and reconciliation and nonviolent struggle do take place in societies everywhere - I myself have worked with young Hutus and Tutsis in Burundi and all the sides in the ex-Yugoslav space - it must also be possible to shoot images of it. But perhaps we don't see it when it happens?
Perhaps we are blinded by the general mainstream media tendency to convey stories of bloodshed, tragedy and utter violence - in short "bad" news. But does that cover the whole reality? Does it in any way encourage people to take action for a better future for all? I think the answer is that it does not!
I'd be happy to hear your spontaneous reaction to my proposal.
And thanks for your attention - and for giving us so many strong, memorable image experiences!
Kind regards
Jan Oberg, PhD
Professor Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto
Director of TFF - Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research, Lund, Sweden.
Tags: mass, media, peace, photo, photography, photos, press, world
Comment
-
Comment by Kyle Dietrich on January 24, 2010 at 4:03pm -
Dear Jan,
Thanks for sharing your letter. In many ways, our organization - www.peaceinfocus.org - works precisely to address this reality, with an emphasis on youth. Despite being on the front lines of disaster, civil war, and urban and gang violence, youth voices and perspectives are rarely found in mainstream media. Peace in Focus works to train young people in photography, media, community leadership, and innovative peacebuilding practices with the aim of elevating youth voice and emphasizing the role of creativity in building community.
I think photography is a wonderfully powerful tool, as there are frames, intentions, and biases embedded in every image. Visual storytelling in the context of a divided or post-conflict society can be a participatory process to understand larger social dynamics and break past narratives of ethnic divisionism, intolerance, and hatred.
More broadly, the arts are an essential ingredient to a healthy and stable society, and should be emphasized in any peace and reconciliation process. For those interested in such work, I encourage you to visit us online and contact me at kyle@peaceinfocus.org to explore programs in your communities.
Kind regards,
Kyle
-
Comment by Irene Nyambura Mwangi on January 12, 2010 at 1:12pm - very great idea!
-
Comment by Jan Oberg on December 27, 2009 at 12:02am -
Dear friends
I just want to thank you ALL for commenting on my article. Thanks also for the references to websites with peace/war potography - I have listed them for further investigation as they all seemed very useful. As you know I do a bit of photography - not knowing whether or not the things I do is peace photography. You may enjoy some of them at here.
Thanks for the inspiration and encouragement! - JAN
-
Comment by Plante Kibadhi Mbuka on December 18, 2009 at 8:39am -
thank you so much Jan ; i am plante may bze i am late to react , but i think it is so great especially us journalist to try inverse subject ; items ; as you mentioned so far , media are running after war, violence, or any traumatics events; why not to start to teach or encourage other way to see the world?
i agree totally with you in this point of the wiew.
thank you so much like myself with limit fund i am trying to produce movie for peace in my area.
yes we can change the world it possible to it
-
Comment by Leonora Perron on December 17, 2009 at 3:40pm - Bravo Jan, you point to a very important issue because images possess such power to affect our unconscious, let along our conscious minds - which advertising professionals know well. Moving images, film, can build positive emotions and encourage positive responses, while a single image has only one chance to connect, and fear/horror can usually do that job via the negative. Just like the term "peace", peace photography will need to dig deeply to avoid the usual cliches - no lions and lambs please. I sincerely hope your insightful proposal gains traction.
-
Comment by Craig Zelizer on December 17, 2009 at 11:49am - I think there are people on this network. I have come across some projects in SEE Europe, and there is also a group called Peace in Focus. See also the organization Photo Philantrhopy. There is also a great movie about the photographer James Nachtaway called War Photographer (more about photos in conflict settings).
-
Comment by Jan Oberg on December 17, 2009 at 11:12am
- Dear Craig - Many thanks for the support of the idea. Are you referring to people on this great network here or somewhere else. I'd be interested in knowing who you have in mind. JAN
-
Comment by Craig Zelizer on December 17, 2009 at 10:02am
- Great suggestion. There are some groups doing very innovative work on the ground with photography and peacebuilding, but would be wonderful to have something like this integrated into the World Press Photo competition.
SHARE THIS PAGE WITH OTHERS
By using this site you're agreeing to the terms of use as outlined in the community guidelines. Please note individual requests for funding or jobs are NOT permitted on the network.
CLICK BELOW TO SHARE SITE RESOURCES (you can email pages, and post directly to FACEBOOK, TWITTER and RELATED SITES)
FOLLOW US DIRECTLY ON TWITTER OR FACEBOOK
CLICK BELOW TO SHARE SITE RESOURCES (you can email pages, and post directly to FACEBOOK, TWITTER and RELATED SITES)
FOLLOW US DIRECTLY ON TWITTER OR FACEBOOK
Translation Tool
Events
-
USAID, Global Pulse 2010 is a 3-day, online collaboration event, that will bring together individual socially-engaged participants and organizations from around the world
-
Nonviolence In The Context Of War Or Armed Conflict
June 18, 2010 at 6pm to July 5, 2010 at 7pm – Kurve Wustrow
-
Bologna, Italy Symposium on Conflict Prevention, Resolution, and Reconciliation
June 19, 2010 to July 17, 2010 – Johns Hopkins SAIS Bologna Center
-
Training for Urban Planning Practitioners: Managing Conflicts and Urban Development in Multiethnic Communities
June 20, 2010 at 6pm to June 26, 2010 at 7pm – European Youth Center
Latest Activity
Dear Rev. C.P. Anto
Thank you for your interest in the program.
Please contact for further discussion at chaiyan.r@gmail.com
Sincerely
Hai Everyone,
Greetings of peace and Joy form Peace Cahannel!
I am indeed very happy to know about your esteemed centre. Thank you so much Mr. Craig Zelizer for this wonderful methods of information. Presently, I am a registered student for doctora…
The is somaliland New Proffesonal peacebuilders, With New vision of becaomening the leaders of center of excellence for researching, teaching and delivering the message of peace education to contribute to the peacefull co-existence of the horn
Badge
About
© 2010 Created by Craig Zelizer
You need to be a member of Peace and Collaborative Development Network to add comments!
Join Peace and Collaborative Development Network