Plastic and Health: Southeast Asia Unveiled  |  A Photo Exhibit

Submit your photo and let it speak volumes on the reality of the plastics crisis at a gathering of world leaders.

Introduction

The plastic pollution crisis is a health crisis–a growing concern that profoundly affects human health, the environment, and the healthcare industry. Southeast Asia’s fast urbanization, growing middle class, and lack of waste management infrastructure have made the region a hotspot for plastic pollution. In fact, according to research, 75% of the world's exported waste is sent to Asia, where many countries, including those in Southeast Asia, already face significant waste management challenges. Unfortunately, these vulnerable nations are increasingly becoming the world's dumping ground.

Without a doubt, plastics contribute to environmental degradation, pose health risks to communities, and create operational challenges for healthcare facilities. The healthcare sector, while heavily reliant on plastic products like gloves and tubings, for medical supplies and infection control, contributes significantly to carbon emissions. Improper disposal leads to plastic fragments polluting the environment, with up to 80% found on shorelines. While essential for medical care, the healthcare sector’s reliance on plastics is creating a mounting waste crisis, threatening both the environment and operational efficiency.

On a brighter note, it is encouraging to see that the health sector in Southeast Asia, despite being part of the plastic pollution problem, is also actively contributing to the solution. Many health facilities across the region have embarked on innovative practices to address plastic waste. These facilities are implementing cutting-edge strategies and showcasing best practices that prove plastic reduction is not only feasible but also beneficial. Their efforts highlight a growing commitment to sustainability and serve as inspiring examples of how the health sector can lead the way in mitigating plastic pollution.

As the international community prepares for the next round of negotiations on the Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) in Busan, South Korea this November 25 - December 2, 2024, it is crucial to highlight the threats that plastic pollution poses to public and planetary health, its profound impact on the healthcare sector, and the sector’s ongoing efforts to combat this crisis. 

Through this photo exhibit, we aim to shed light on these realities, ensuring that Southeast Asia's voice is strongly represented in the global dialogue through the power of visual storytelling with photographs.

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Eligibility

• Participants: Open to all individuals residing in Southeast Asia, including professional and amateur photographers. Healthcare workers and individuals directly impacted by plastic pollution are especially encouraged to participate.
• Age Limit: Participants must be at least 18 years old.
• Entry Fee: There is no entry fee to participate in this contest.

Theme

The exhibit centers on the intersection of plastic pollution, human health, and the environment in Southeast Asia. Participants are encouraged to submit photos that depict any of these subthemes:

• Countering the ‘Plastics Save Lives’ Narrative
• The Harmful Impact of Plastic Pollution on Human Lives
• Plastic Pollution: A Global Health Crisis
• The Effects of Plastics on Public Health and Planetary Health
• Best Practices in the Healthcare Industry for Reducing Plastic Pollution

Submission Guidelines

• Number of Entries: Each participant may submit up to three photographs.
• Format and Quality:
  • Photographs must be in high-resolution JPEG or PNG format.
  • The minimum resolution should be 300 DPI.
  • The file size must range between 10MB and 25MB.
  • Both landscape and portrait orientations are accepted.
• Content Restrictions:
  • All submitted photographs must align with the themes outlined in the guidelines.
  • Entries that include AI-generated images or any form of artificial manipulation will be disqualified.
  • All individuals featured in the photo submissions should have given their consent to be included in the image.
  • Photographs must not depict imagery that is degrading or exploitative, such as explicit violence, poverty porn, sensationalism, or disrespectful representations of individuals or communities.
  • Photos previously submitted to other contests are welcome, provided their submission does not violate the rules of those contests.
  • Photos must have been taken within the past two years.
• Submission Process:
  • Participants should submit their entries via the online submission form available on our call for submissions announcement.
  • Each submission should include a title and a narrative of up to 300 words that explains the context of the image, highlights why it is important to amplify the message that plastics harm lives, and connects the photograph to the theme of the contest.
• Ownership and Usage Rights:
  • All submitted photographs will become the property of Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia (HCWH SEA) and may be used for advocacy and campaigning purposes, with full credit given to the photographer.
  • Participants grant HCWH SEA the right to display, distribute, and publish their photographs in any media format, both online and offline.
  • Photographers will retain full copyright to their photographs and are free to use them as they wish, such as submitting to other competitions, showcasing in portfolios, or promoting on social media.

Judging Criteria

Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:

• Relevance to Theme (30%): How well the photo aligns with the contest’s theme of highlighting the impacts of plastic pollution on health, the environment, and the healthcare industry.
• Storytelling (30%): The ability of the description to convey a compelling narrative about the importance of amplifying the message that plastics harm lives, while clearly connecting to the contest's theme.
• Visual Impact (20%): The emotional and visual appeal of the photo.
• Creativity (20%): Originality and creativity in capturing the subject matter.

The panel of judges will consist of five anonymous members from HCWH SEA’s network, each bringing diverse expertise in developmental work, sustainable healthcare practices, photography, art and design, and advocacy campaigning.

Recognition of Selected Photos

• The top 15 entries will be featured in an exclusive photo exhibit at the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) of the Global Plastics Treaty (GPT) in Busan, Republic of Korea.
• Each of these top entries will also receive a certificate of recognition and a monetary honorarium of $200 as a token of appreciation.
• Other shortlisted photos will be included in a digital booklet and promoted across HCWH SEA's social media platforms.
• A coffee table book featuring all submitted entries will be produced and displayed at the INC-5 exhibition area.

Timeline

• Launch Date: September 20, 2024
• Submission Deadline: October 25, 2024, Sunday at 11:59PM GMT+8
• Judging Period: October 25-30, 2024
• Announcement of Photo Exhibit Selection: November 01, 2024 (during the 6th GHAC)
• Launch of Online Gallery Exhibit: November 15, 2024 
• Photo Exhibit at INC-5: November 25 - December 1, 2024 (subject to change)

Additional Information

• Participants will be notified by email if their submission is selected for the exhibit.
• All selected photographs will be displayed during the event in Busan, Republic of Korea, and may be featured in digital and print materials related to the GPT campaign.

• By entering the contest, participants agree to abide by all the rules and guidelines outlined in this document.

  For any questions or concerns, please contact:

  Donna Mae Ocmeja
  Communications Manager, HCWH SEA
  docmeja@hcwh.org

  Kyla Patrizze Pernes
  Sustainability Advocacy Officer, HCWH SEA
  kpernes@hcwh.org