Human memory

Author: Compiled by the China Folklore Photography Association
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2004-10-01
Features: The "Human Contribution Award" Annual Competition was initiated by the China Folklore Photography Association and supported by UNESCO, which granted it the right to use its emblem. It is the only international photography competition in the world that explicitly proposes using photography as a means to document, disseminate, and share diverse cultures. Starting from the second edition, UNESCO began participating as a co-organizer of the "Human Contribution Award" Annual Competition. The fourth edition was co-organized by the Guangdong Art Museum and Fotoe.com. The goal of the "Human Contribution Award" Annual Competition is to fully leverage the documentary nature of photography, providing authentic evidence for humanity's cultural heritage and offering systematic research samples through the completeness of photographic series. Therefore, this competition is a public welfare event open to photographers and photography enthusiasts worldwide, regardless of gender, age, race, nationality, professional status, or amateur status, who are concerned with cultural heritage, especially intangible cultural heritage.
The "Human Contribution Award" Annual Competition has successfully called upon photographers from nearly half of the countries in the world to participate in this large-scale documentary event, documenting and preserving a rich variety of cultural phenomena from over 150 countries worldwide, creating a magnificent visual archive of diverse cultures. In 2000, the "Human Contribution Award" was included in the United Nations Decade of Peace and Culture (2001–2010). In 2002, it was listed as an international activity project under the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage. The fourth edition was authorized to join the United Nations Pavilion at the 2005 Aichi World Exposition in Japan, which showcased the achievements of the United Nations under the theme "Let Us Celebrate Cultural Diversity." In November 2005, it was featured as a thematic exhibition at the United Nations General Conference, serving as the backdrop for discussions and the signing of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. UNESCO is deeply honored to co-organize the "Human Contribution Award" with the China Folklore Photography Association. We sincerely congratulate all the organizers, participants, and international juries, as well as the publication of the winning works collection, The Memory of Mankind IV.
The "Human Contribution Award" is rapidly becoming a major event in the global photography community. Approximately 1,900 photographers from over 70 countries participated in the 2004 "Human Contribution Award," demonstrating its broad appeal and influence on both professional and amateur photographers. The competition is divided into six major categories: Costume and Fashion, Architecture and Culture, Daily Customs, Festivals and Culture, Sports and Entertainment, and Traditional Rituals. This aligns perfectly with UNESCO's mission to "protect and promote cultural diversity worldwide," as articulated in its landmark Declaration on Cultural Diversity. Additionally, the purpose of the "Human Contribution Award" is highly consistent with UNESCO's efforts to support the preservation of world cultural heritage, particularly in the protection of intangible cultural heritage. In October 2003, the General Conference of UNESCO adopted a resolution on the safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, filling a gap in international norms. The photographers of the "Human Contribution Award" have vividly demonstrated the importance of this resolution through their works.
I firmly believe that cultural heritage and peace are inseparable. Cultural heritage encompasses three main areas: tangible cultural heritage and natural heritage, including sites, monuments, and natural landscapes; intangible cultural heritage, such as performances, festivals, traditional crafts, music, poetry, and languages; and movable heritage. The "Human Contribution Award," living up to expectations, has made significant contributions to all three areas in an aesthetic manner. Furthermore, its emphasis on photographic documentation and expression highlights the importance of a newly emerging cultural category—visual culture. In the era of multimedia, influenced by digital and rapid transmission technologies, this is a highly impactful and practically relevant field. It is not only reflected in the creativity of visual works and their products but also in the appreciation, "reading," and understanding of these works, as well as the ability to respond to them. Understanding other cultures and other people is the foundation of mutual tolerance, understanding, and respect among humanity, the core of cultural sharing, and the soul of genuine cultural and civilizational dialogue. Encouraging and celebrating such dialogue requires concrete actions and tangible outcomes in areas such as education, science, cultural exchange, and information. This is also one of the permanent missions of UNESCO to seek and establish peace in the human heart, a commitment made in the Charter drafted by UNESCO around 60 years ago.
At the United Nations Pavilion of the 2005 Aichi World Exposition in Japan, the winning works of the fourth edition of the "Human Contribution Award" will share the stage with audiences worldwide. As the initiator of the slogan "Celebrating Cultural Diversity," the United Nations will showcase its contributions at this cultural intersection—exploring, promoting, and interpreting the meaning of shared heritage, and spreading the spirit of harmony, peace, and understanding across the globe. The "Human Contribution Award" is a noble endeavor: transcending cultural, geographical, and political boundaries to foster deeper mutual understanding among humanity; reflecting the activities of diverse age groups and communities worldwide to enhance mutual understanding. Most importantly, the "Human Contribution Award" actively advocates for the shared diversity of humanity. I wish the "Human Contribution Award" continued success in its future editions. I hope you will leverage the power of visual culture to carry forward this highly challenging and extraordinary struggle. Let us make a concrete contribution to the fresh and remarkable goal of "One World" that we envisioned for the 21st century.