VIENNA, 18 March 2010 - The OSCE launched a photo contest today to highlight tolerance and non-discrimination - key priorities of the OSCE Chairmanship of Kazakhstan in 2010 - with winners receiving a trip to Astana in June.

Initiated and financed by the Permanent Mission of Kazakhstan to the OSCE, the contest invites photographers, both professional and amateur, residing in the 56 OSCE participating States to submit photos illustrating the importance of tolerance and non-discrimination on racial, ethnic, cultural, linguistic or religious grounds.

A selection of photographs will be presented at a special exhibition at the OSCE High-Level Conference on Tolerance and Non-discrimination in the Kazakh capital, Astana, on 29 and 30 June, and showcased on the OSCE website. The prize for the five winners will be a trip to Astana to an award ceremony at the conference, and a tour of Astana's sights and surroundings.

The deadline for submissions of entries is 10 May 2010, 24:00 (midnight) Central European Time.

Contest details can be found on the OSCE website: http://www.osce.org/item/43109.html