LAUNCH OF THE 2016 OIE PHOTO COMPETITION

^{© Fréderic Decante}

THEME FOR 2016: "Animal welfare, beyond the cliché"

Today, in our multicultural and cosmopolitan world, the notion of animal welfare and what cruelty to animals entails varies from one region and culture to another. Given the complexity and multidimensional nature of animal welfare, the need to harmonise standards has become increasingly urgent. Consequently, the OIE has been developing international welfare standards for terrestrial and aquatic animals since the early 2000s, standards which are adopted by consensus by all its 180 Member Countries.

While animal welfare is complex and has multiple facets at political, cultural, ethical and scientific level, the OIE standards have sought to harmonise, at a global scale, science-based standards in the transport of animals, killing for disease control purposes, slaughter and killing for human consumption, animal production systems, use of animals in research and education and in stray dog population control.

However, in parallel with the globalisation of an increasing trade in animals and products of animal origin to satisfy a growing consumer demand, animal welfare has become a high topic of interest for citizens and the media. Denunciations of practices in animal production are proliferating, often associated with shocking images depicting poor welfare conditions.

However, these photos are selected and used to shock, and do not depict the reality and complexity of behavioural change processes and awareness work done throughout the world to implement new welfare norms in line with the OIE intergovernmental welfare standards

The winners of the 2016 OIE PHOTO COMPETITION will therefore be the photographers who best illustrate, both from an artistic and a descriptive point of view, the work carried out by animal welfare players, in particular by Veterinary services both in their public and private components, to promote and protect animal welfare worldwide in the context of the OIE welfare standards’ implementation.

Photos illustrating the crucial interaction between humans and animals as well as the links between animal health and animal welfare will be given preference when selecting the winners. The jury will also consider the creativity of the photo caption.

 

2016 OIE PHOTO COMPETITION PRIZE

1. OIE Global Network Awards

A winner will be chosen from each region in the OIE global network:

• Africa Prize
• Americas Prize
• Asia, Far East and Oceania Prize
• Europe Prize
• Middle East Prize

Each prizewinner will receive the sum of €1,000.

       2.  Veterinary Students Award

A winner will be chosen from the entries submitted by all veterinary students from each  region in

• Africa Prize
• Americas Prize
• Asia, Far East and Oceania Prize
• Europe Prize
• Middle East Prize

Each prizewinner will receive the sum of €500.

The prizes will be awarded during the opening ceremony of the 84^th OIE General Session on Sunday, 22 May 2016.

 

 

HOW TO ENTER

Are you at least 18 years of age, part of the OIE network OR a student above 18 years of age studying in a faculty of veterinary medicine? If so, you can enter – just follow these steps:

1. Select between one and five photos on the above theme;
2. Download and read the rules on the web site www.oie.int;
3. Download the entry form, complete all the fields and sign it;
4. Send your photos electronically (no more than five), together with the captions and the duly completed and signed entry form, to the email address communication@oie.int by 1 May 2016;
5. Make sure that you receive a confirmation email from the OIE Communication Unit acknowledging receipt of your entry.

The results will be announced via the web site www.oie.int on 13 May 2016.All incomplete entries will be returned without considering the photos.

For further information, contact the OIE Communication Unit at communication@oie.int.

 

WHICH OIE NETWORK MEMBERS ARE ELIGIBLE TO ENTER?

The following are considered to be members of the OIE network and eligible to enter the 2016 OIE Photo Competition: 

 

• National Delegates of an OIE Member Country;

• National Focal Points of an OIE Member Country;
• Employees of the Veterinary Services of an OIE Member Country;
• OIE experts;
• Employees of an OIE Reference Laboratory or Collaborating Centre.

 

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS' ENTRIES ?

The following are the requirements for students to be eligible to enter the 2016 OIE photo competition: 

• over 18 years;
• Full-time veterinary students who are enrolled in any of the faculties of veterinary medicine of an OIE Member Country during the 2015-2016 academic year

 

WHAT ARE THE TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS?

The photos entered by participants must have the following technical characteristics:

• colour or black & white
• format: jpeg, psd, eps or tiff
• minimum size 2480 by 3508 pixels, or 21 x 29.7 cm (preferably the maximum size available)
• minimum resolution 300 dpi (preferably the maximum resolution available).

 

 

 

 

 

*Staff from the OIE Headquarters and regions may not enter the competition. Read the rules for more information.