Photos by young, aspiring photojournalists from Pakistan, Tajikistan and the United States were showcased at a photo exhibition on August 16, 2014 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The event was part of a four-day photojournalism workshop and exhibition there for select students and educators from the three countries who participated in the Photojournalism 2.014: Heritage, Hunger, and Food Security program in the past year.

The exhibition opened with remarks by U.S. Ambassador to Tajikistan Susan M. Elliott, followed by Saifiddinov B.H. from the Ministry of Culture in Tajikistan, both of whom expressed their congratulations to the students and spoke of the significance of programs like this. Ambassador Elliott remarked: “The students and teachers have taken beautiful photographs of how people eat and live in all three countries, and it’s brought all three countries closer together. So on behalf of the Department of State, programs like this help future generations to understand each other, and by creating understanding through simple things like photos and food, I think we’ll have a better and safer world in the future.” Individual presentations by educators and students on the project’s impact came next, as well as presentations on the foods of each country by educators and students.

Then, Ambassador Elliott, accompanied by one student from each country, cut the ribbon to officially open the photo exhibition.

A ceremony in which participants were awarded certificates of completion and diplomas concluded the event.  Please see the slideshow below for images from the exhibition.

The one-day workshop included presentations and reflections by participants on their Photojournalism 2.014 projects, a brainstorming session regarding addressing program sustainability, and presentations of each group’s ideas.  To see images from the workshop, please view the slideshow below.

The four-day event concluded with a photo walk in rural Vahdat district, where students and educators learned about life in Tajik villages.  Participants documented their visit to collective farmers; a local home where traditional bread, yogurt and butter were made; a beekeeper's; and a nongovernmental organization that offers educational programs to local people and where participants enjoyed a traditional meal that was prepared for them.  To view images from the photo walk, as well as the other cultural activities that students and educators took part in, please see the slideshow below.

Throughout the four days, the participants built strong bridges of cultural understanding and bonds of friendship with their peers from other countries and their own.  The experience was transformative for all who participated, as evidenced by the words of one student who commented: “Even though Pakistan, Tajikistan, and the U.S. are so far apart, we have much more in common than what you’d think.”

iEARN’s Photojournalism 2.014: Heritage, Hunger, and Food Security program is made possible through funding by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs.