PHOTOGRAPHY Photographic Industry Heavyweight REZA to Present Groundbreaking Photography Lecture in Dubai

The Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) is set to host world-famous photojournalist REZA for an exclusive lecture titled ‘The Power of Photography for Humanity’ on Tuesday the 17th of March 2015 at the Meydan Theatre in the Meydan Hotel, Dubai. REZA is a former recipient of HIPA’s distinguished ‘Photography Appreciation Award’ and has given similar lectures on behalf of HIPA in 2013 at London’s Royal Geographical Society.

World famous photojournalist REZA / © Tim Matoani / Courtesy of HIPA

A world-famous photojournalist who has worked for The National Geographic among many other publications, REZA has been traveling the world for over 30 years, visiting more than a hundred countries, photographing conflicts, revolutions and human disasters. His eyewitness accounts have been published in the international media (National Geographic, Time Magazine, Stern, Newsweek, El Pais, Paris Match, Geo and more) as well as in books, exhibitions and documentaries by National Geographic Channel.

REZA has volunteered his services since 1983 to give an informal visual education to young people and women in vulnerable civil societies so they can help build a better world. In Afghanistan in 2001, he founded a next generation NGO Ainaworld, which trains people for careers in information and communication by developing educational tools and appropriate media. While pursuing his own reporting for international media, REZA has also provided training in different forms of visual language (both real and virtual) for refugees, suburban young people in Europe, and those living in insecure environments.

REZA is also the author of twenty-nine books, a multiple prize-winner throughout his career, a Fellow of the National Geographic Society and Senior Fellow of the Ashoka Foundation. REZA was also awarded the World Press Photo award, the Infinity Award from the International Center of Photography, the Lucy Award, the Medal of Honor from the University of Missouri and the title of Doctor Honoris Causa from the American University of Paris. Furthermore, REZA was awarded the medal of Chevalier in the French National Order of Merit.

Commenting on ‘The Power of Photography for Humanity’, the Secretary General of HIPA, His Excellency Ali bin Thalith said “It is with the utmost honour that we welcome REZA to Dubai for his powerful lecture.” REZA is a unique personality who has affected many people all around the world with his humanitarian and photographic work; something we feel is very similar to what HIPA stands for. Over the last two years, HIPA has undertaken various initiatives where we aim to improve the lives of others through photography, this is something that REZA has been doing for decades and he is an inspiration to everyone in that regard."