My Asia Space

The competition is now closed.

See the winning photographs here

My Asia Space (MAS) was devised as a pilot youth and community project by international development organisation Concern Worldwide, primarily for young British Asians with an interest in photography. My Asia Space launched as a website in June 2007.

My Asia Space allowed web users to express themselves creatively using whatever photographic means and skills they had. A maximum of 5 photographs could be uploaded by each competition entrant with 8 finalists being selected at the end of the competition. All entries were judged independently. Each winner received photojournalistic training by World Press Photographer Kalpesh Lathigra, plus an Olympus digital Camera. Following their training, the finalists took the photographs that were selected to create this exhibition. Overall winner Jigna Tailor (14) was awarded an Olympus Digital SLR E-410.

My Asia Space was inspired by Out of Focus which began in Bangladesh in 1994 when award-winning photographer Shahidul Alam of Drik gave 10 children in poverty cameras and training in order for them to be able to visually represent themselves. The Out of Focus group are no longer children, with several working at Drik and several working internationally. They have had major international exhibitions, successful television, radio, films and publications in mainstream media. Out of Focus have since trained children in Shonagachi, a brothel in Kolkata (later made famous by the Oscar winning film "Born into Brothels") and, through their own media productions, will ensure that other voices be heard.

Concern Worldwide has been working alongside the East London community for the past two years holding events at the Royal London Hospital, Vibe Bar, Baishaki Mela and Rich Mix Cultural Foundation. The photojournalism training was held in this area at the Attlee Youth and Community Centre. My Asia Space has given Concern Worldwide the opportunity to see what young people from all backgrounds enjoy and engage with when given an opportunity to express themselves.

Ken Livingstone

I am pleased that Concern Worldwide UK and the London Mela have taken this initiative to encourage and promote international links and greater understanding between young people in London and other parts of the world.

Through powerful images the Myasiaspace project will raise awareness amongst young Londoners about the different ways of life led by their contemporaries in different countries and cities. They will gain understanding and appreciation of diverse cultures, which would have a positive impact on cultural tolerance both in London and globally. At the same time, the project provides an opportunity for young people to develop their skills in the creative arts