Two “Joining Hands” networks related to the Presbyterian Hunger Program and their partner network in Bolivia have announced a photojournalism contest on the theme “Poverty, Pollution & Solutions.”

The Joining Hands networks of San Francisco and Cascades presbyteries and the UMAVIDA network in Bolivia are accepting photo essays of three to five photos each that document an ecological injustice and a person or group working on a local solution to it.

The contest is open to young people between the ages of 14 and 30. Deadline for entries is October 3, 2011. Winning entries will be exhibited in both the U.S. and Bolivia in November.

“The theme ‘Poverty, Pollution & Solutions’ is intentionally broad,” contest organizers say. “Participating youth are encouraged to illustrate any local aspect of this global concern or to highlight any local solutions. A little research into these issues in your community may lead to many intriguing possibilities!”

The goals of the contest are:

  • to encourage young people in the United States and Bolivia to explore and document how poverty and pollution are linked in their communities;
  • to highlight local solutions;
  • to provide an international showcase where their voices will be heard; and
  • to raise awareness and educate the public on the international issue of poverty and pollution.

Prizes include a Grand Prize: paid trip for one to the International Youth Environmental Congress in Bolivia in January 2012 or $200; Second Prize: $150; Third Prize: $100. The $200 will be presented if the winner cannot make the trip, in which case the trip will be offered to the second & third place winners in succession.

For more information and the contest details, visit the contest website.