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Vision

There has been much talk about climate change. But not much about where we will see its first impact: water.

Flooding. Drought. Contamination. Water is the vector of climate change. By 2010 an estimated 40 per cent of the world's poorest people will lack access to clean water. Two hundred million may be physically or economically displaced.


This is not the future. This is now.


The Prix Pictet is a major new global prize in photography that focuses on perhaps the greatest single issue of the twenty-first century: sustainability. The award is sponsored by Pictet & Cie, in association with the Financial Times.


With a single annual prize of CHF 100,000, the Prix Pictet will reward photographers and the images they use to tell stories of urgent global significance. Each year the Prix Pictet will focus on a distinct sustainability theme. The theme for 2008 is water.


Entry to the Prix Pictet is by nomination. A global nominations panel of 49 leading experts in the visual arts, from six continents, has made over 200 nominations from 43 countries that will lead to the image or set of images that will, in the opinion of the independent jury, have the power and artistic quality demanded by the Prix.


The Independent Jury of the Prix Pictet has now announced the 2008 Shortlist. The judges have shortlisted 18 photographers who have produced works that are of outstanding artistic merit and communicate messages of urgent global significance.


Short-listed images will be exhibited at the Palais de Tokyo from 30 October - 8 November 2008.
The winner of the Prix Pictet will be announced on 30 October 2008 at a Gala Dinner at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris.

Alongside the search for an image or set of images that tell a globally significant story, the Prix Pictet will also cast a spotlight on the projects, charities and organisations that are working to address this critical issue. Pictet & Cie will also confirm details of a new Pictet-supported sustainability project and a commission worth up to CHF 40,000, at the Gala Dinner.

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