World Bank Launches Climate Change Video Contest

World Bank’s Social Development Department announced today the launch of a world-wide documentary competition that will highlight the social aspects of climate change as experienced and/or observed by the film-maker(s).

Global climate change is happening now. Look at what is happening in many developing countries where the world's poorest people are affected first and worst by changes of climate and extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, heat waves, and rising sea levels. The World Bank’s Social Development Department has launched a world-wide documentary competition that will highlight the social aspects of climate change as experienced and/or observed by the film-maker(s). Caroline Kende-Robb, Acting Director, Social Development Department, said, “There is a need to see climate change as an issue of global social justice. The rights, interests and needs of those affected by climate change must be acknowledged.” Anyone who wishes to be heard can enter. The submitted films should innovatively illustrate the consequences of climate change through one of the following theme categories: conflict, migration, the urban space, rural institutions, drylands, social policy, indigenous peoples, gender, governance, forests, and/or human rights. There are two award categories: 1) Social Dimensions of Climate Change Award (general category) and 2) Young Voices of Climate Change (youth category). The general category is open to professional and amateur; the youth category is open to entries submitted by filmmakers who are under 24 years old. Award winners will be chosen through a combination of public voting and a judging panel. The film with the most public votes in each theme category will receive honorable mention. The Award Winners will receive an all expenses paid trip to Washington, DC for a screening of their film and will have the opportunity to attend a series of networking and learning events organized by the Social Development Department of the World Bank in December, 2008. The submission period ends on Friday, October 24, 2008.