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World Press Photo 2002

World Press Photo is an independent non-profit organisation, founded in the Netherlands in 1955. Its main aim is to support and promote internationally the work of professional press photographers. Over the years World Press Photo has evolved into an independent platform for photojournalism and the free exchange of information.

In order to realise its objectives, World Press Photo organises the world's largest and most prestigious annual press photography contest. All entries are judged in Amsterdam by an international jury composed of 13 professionals recognised in the field of press photography. The jury has been considered the UN of press photography. The prizewinning photographs are assembled into a travelling exhibition, which is visited by over a million people in 35 countries every year.

Besides managing the extensive exhibition programme, the organisation closely monitors developments in photojournalism. Education projects play an increasing role in World Press Photo's annual calendar. Seven times a year seminars open to individual photographers, photo agencies and picture editors are organised in majority world countries. The annual Joop Swart Masterclass, held in the Netherlands, is aimed at talented photographers at the start of their careers. They receive practical instruction and are shown how they can enhance professionalism by some of the most accomplished people in photojournalism.

The exhibition has visited Bangladesh regularly since 1993, and Bangladesh was amongst the first countries where the seminar programmes were held. World Press Photo has been a partner of Pathshala, the South Asian Institute of Photography, since its inception, and has played an active role in promoting photojournalism in Bangladesh. Bangladeshis have been involved as tutors in the international training programmes and in the international jury. Students and tutors from Pathshala are currently involved in the Masterclass programme.