World Press Photo 09 at Pacific Place, Jakarta

By Dana Anwari

World Press Photo is an independent nonprofit organization exhibition at Jakarta, December 11, 2009 - January 4, 2010. Its main aim is to internationally support and promote the work of profesional press photographers.
Over the years, World Press Photo has evolved into an independent platform for photojournalism and the free exchange on information. Each year, WPP invites press photography throughout the world to participate in the World Press Contest, the premier annual international competition in press photography. In 2009 5,508 photographers from 124 countries entered a total number of 96,269 images.

Chairman of the 2009 jury, MaryAnne Golod said, "How can anyone believe that photojournalism is dying? The truth is that photojournalism is experiencing a period of extraordinary growth in new markets and cultures, and in new forms of media."
Pep Bonet, Spain, Noor for Positive Lives
Transsexual sex workers in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. San Pedro Sula is the second largest cinty in Honduras and has one of the highest instances of HIV in the country. Sex workers are particularly vulnerable to infection. Conservative family and religious values mean that gays and transsexuals are often victims of rejection and violence.

Left: Raul Coto is an occasional sex worker, using the name Gladis, and knows he is HIV positive.
Right: 'Escarlet Rubi' is twelve years old and was raped at the age of five. He has been working the streets since he was nine, after he was kicked out of the family home for being gay.

Anthony Suau, USA, for Time.
Detective Robert Kole of the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office enters a home in Cleveland, Ohio, on March 26, following mortgage foreclosure and eviction. He needs to check that the owners have vacated the premises, and that no weapons have been left lying around. Officers go in at gunpoint as a precaution, as many houses have been vandalized or occupied by squatters or drug addicts.

Kevin Frayer, Canada, The Associated Press
Palestinian protectors take cover behind an olive tree as they get caught in tear gas fired by Israeli troops, in the West Bank village of Ni'lin, near Ramallah, in May. Residents of the village began staging weekly demonstrations in May against Israel's extension of a barrier which would cut off part of their farmland.

Franck Robichon, France, European Pressphoto Agency.
Alex Copello of Cuba competes during a qualification round for the men's triple jump, at the Beijing Olympics on August 18. Copello missed qualifying for the final by just two centimeters.

Jérôme Bonnet, France, Corbis Outline for Le Monde 2.
Anaïs (12) is a young dancer at the Paris Opera Ballet School. Founded during the reign of Louis XIV, the École de danse of the Paris Opera is the oldest ballet school in the western world.
(www.rainbowdiplomacy.com/Photo: Althur Taiko)