The 2008 Human Rights Photography Competition run by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission (HREOC) has officially launched with Digital Camera Warehouse being one of the major prize sponsors.

First Prize winners will receive a $500 voucher redeemable at Digital Camera Warehouse and Highly Commended will receive a one year subscription to Australian Photography Magazine.

The competition, which is being run in association with the Human Rights Medals and Awards, shares this year’s official UN Human Rights Day theme: ‘Dignity and justice for all of us’

“We’re searching for photographs that both reflect the theme of the competition – Dignity and justice for all of us – and provide a unique approach to a human rights subject,” said federal Human Rights Commissioner, Graeme Innes.

“In reflecting the theme, an image might record a moment that celebrates dignity and justice,” said Commissioner Innes. “It might illustrate fundamental rights and freedoms being recognised, or it might simply capture an observation of what human rights means to the photographer and, for that matter, the viewer.”

International Human Rights Day on 10 December 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The official theme supports the vision of the Declaration as a commitment to universal dignity and justice, and reinforces the fact that human rights are an inextricable part of our lives.

The three categories for the 2008 Human Rights Photography Competition are: Under 18 (male), Under 18 (female) and 18 and above (age at 30 June 2008).

Winners, highly commended and shortlisted entries in each category will be placed on the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission website and exhibited at the Human Rights Medals and Awards ceremony at the Sheraton on the Park Hotel in Sydney on 10 December. Winners will also be presented with their prize at the ceremony.

For more information on the competition and how you can enter go to www.humanrights.gov.au/photo_comp

The Nikon Photo Contest International has been held by Nikon Corporation since 1969 to provide an opportunity for photographers around the world to communicate and to enrich photographic culture for professionals and amateurs alike.

Entries for Nikon Photo Contest International 2008-2009 are accepted from September 1st, 2008 to November 30th, 2008.

More information can be found here.