Before the event started.
In line with such concept, a segment of the ground floor at CentralWorld, a department store in the center of Bangkok, was turned into a shooting studio in early August. Studio lighting and white backdrop were temporarily installed at the Central Court to create a small shooting workshop to kick off the Photo Contest with the theme "A world where every pregnancy is wanted".
The event was co-organised by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Contemporary Photography of Thailand Foundation (CPTF) to illustrate the demographic change in Thailand through the photography lenses, which are not limited to those of the professionals. The photo contest is designed to see how people interpret the definition of birth and motherhood in line with the theme of 2013 State of World Population Report of "Adolescent Pregnancy".
Mr. Caspar Peek, UNFPA Representative for Thailand, and Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, President of the Contemporary Photography Foundation of Thailand, jointly presided over the press conference. Ms. Sanhajutha Chirathivat, President of Earth Safe Foundation, also attended the ceremony. More than 60 people including the press members, students and photographers participated in the press event which included photo shooting and a surprising birthday cake to Ms. Sanhajutha. Beaming four pregnant models show the future mothers' glowing with happy anticipation. College students took snap shots of the stylish yet simple props in an unlikely location of the upscale shopping mall. A number of shoppers who were wandering around also stopped by the event which was held in an open setting to welcome every interested person.
To launch the contest, Mr. Caspar Peek said pregnancy should happen by choice, not by chance. "This means that it should be wanted, and it should be planned," he said. Today, the average Thai woman has 1.6 children. This means that Thailand's population is slowly shrinking. So every pregnancy should literally be wanted. This also means that it must be possible for a woman to continue working while she is pregnant, for as long as she can, and come back to her job once she is a mother, while still being able to take care of her baby."
Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop said, "CPFT is pleased to work with UNFPA to show and record stories of people through lenses of photographers. The meaning of birth covers a diverse range of stories. The contest therefore reflects the interpretation of quality birth through the eyes of contestants."Apart from UNFPA and CPTF, the photo contest is sponsored by CentralWorld, Earth Safe Foundation and Canon.
The participation from the private sector is in line with UNFPA's plan to include companies and the general public to its activities to enhance the sense of ownership in the issues that UNFPA promotes.
The contest is open to the general public. There are two categories: 1) the general public category and 2) the students. The photo contest also includes people who are under 20 years of age on the date of submission. All entries must be received by 15 October 2013. The winning pieces will be exhibited at CentralWorld, Eden area from 11-15 November 2013. They will also be featured in UNFPA publications which will be distributed to general public nationwide.
For more information, please visit Facebook page of United Nations Population Fund Thailand Office or the Contemporary Photography Foundation of Thailand or contact Jeerawat Na Thalang, Communications Officer, UNFPA Thailand Country Office at nathalang@unfpa.org or 0875063065.
Mr. Caspar Peek, Representative for Thailand, UNFPA
Young photographer took a snap shot at the event