On Tuesday, December 11, 2012, at the Maison Européenne de la Photographie (MEP) in Paris, the winners of the Prix AFD for photography and multimedia works were announced. Photo stories and web documentaries of all kinds were submitted to the jury presided over by Alain Mingam. 

Unquestionably the most important prize awarded by the AFD is for the best photo project. This year’s theme was “Development.” The 18,000€ prize not only allows the winning photographer to produce his or her project, but also comes with a spread in Polka photo magazine, an exhibition, and up to 4000€ towards the purchase of a photography print to be donated to the agency’s collection. 
Alain Buu former reporter Gamma freelance now will be able to give all his potential.

Michel Puech
Motivated

I chose to explore overpopulation and water shortage in India, because these are two issues very close to my heart. 

I had already completed a 14-page report on overpopulation, “Les conséquences de la politique de l’enfant unique en Chine” (The Consequences of the One-Child Policy in China) for Paris Match. As for issues surrounding water, I had documented fishing in a sacred lake in Mali, where, according to custom, the local population waits until fish have grown big before they harvest them. Then a large annual fishing event is held, which benefits a large number of people, rather than fishing year-round, catching only little fish and ruining the ecosystem of the neighboring lakes. I also completed a report about water wars depicting two tribes in northern Kenya fighting for control of a river.

Alain Buu is a freelance reporter and a former correspondent for the Gamma agency.

Read the full text of this article on the French version of Le Journal.