World Press Photo: the power of visual storytelling
In today’s landscape of rampant mis- and disinformation, the World Press Photo Foundation delivers trustworthy stories from around the world to inform and inspire the public.
The World Press Photo Foundation (WPPF) aims to unlock greater empathy and understanding of global issues by portraying them from a deeper, more nuanced perspective. The foundation’s prestigious annual World Press Photo Contest and Exhibition are renowned for showcasing stories that make people stop, feel, think and act, while its education programmes promote diverse accounts of the world.
Ena Pervan, Programme Manager Community Arts Lab, explains: “Partnering with WPPF advances our shared objective of driving social change by building bridges and bringing people together. Our collaboration started in 2016 around WPPF’s efforts to build a stronger visual platform for Africa and African photographers in the global media. Now, we are continuing to support the foundation as it implements a new strategy, designed in 2021, to address the lack of diversity and inclusion in photojournalism worldwide.”
Executive director of WPPF, Joumana El Zein Khoury elaborates: “To be worthy of the word ‘World’ that is part of our name we have decided to regionalise all of our work […] to ensure a multiplicity of voices and an inclusive and broad access to many.”
Porticus Community Arts Lab Partner: World Press Photo
Top photo: A Nigerian mother shows the photo of her daughter who was among 140 students abducted from the Bethel Baptist High School in northwest Nigeria on 5 July 2021. Copyright Sodiq Adelakun Adekola.
World Press Photo Jury comments on this photo: “This image highlights how Sudanese youth are asserting their values of human rights and citizenship. It demonstrates the remarkable bravery and boldness of an unprotected and unarmed young woman throwing back what the military has thrown at the protesters. This symbolic image praises the determination of the youth and women across Africa who are participating in, and never giving up on, the daily fight for democracy.” Copyright Faiz Abubakr Mohamed.