The Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) will be organising a photographic award competition for photographers in Commonwealth countries on 17 January 2007.

The competition, with the theme “Achievement”, will take place in Canberra, Australia, and the award is titled the Canberra Times/CPU young photographer award.

According to CPU Training Director, Jane Raugeley, photographs will be judged on the merit of representation of the theme as well as technical quality.

Photographs will also be judged on how much they depict the mixture of races, creeds, cultures and ways of life of the people of the Commonwealth.

Ms Raugeley further said that to qualify for the award, competitors must be between 21 and 25 years old and from a developing country of the Commonwealth, adding that three pictures should be presented by each competitor.

She added that the prizes also include a three-week stay in Australia during which winners will have the opportunity of visiting the offices of the Canberra Times newspaper and other sights in the country.

The CPU training director said cash prizes for the award are: 1st prize is £1,000 for the overall winner and 2nd prize is £250. Prizes will also be given to regional winners, she noted.