In celebration of United Nations Day, Canon Middle East and Lens on Life Project announced the graduation of 37 young photographers from the Canon Young People Programme (YPP) across Jordan and Iraq. Two exhibitions showcased the remarkable work of these graduates, whose powerful visual stories brought the UN Sustainable Development Goals to life through their unique perspectives on community, resilience, and hope.
The exhibitions took place at the Za’atari Youth Center in Jordan on October 23, 2025, celebrating 27 graduates from the Za’atari Refugee Camp, and at Bakhi Gshty Public Park in Iraq on October 28, 2025, marking the conclusion of the third cycle in Iraq with 10 graduates. These events marked Season 4 of the Lens on Life Project in the Middle East – Year 4 in Za’atari Camp and Year 3 in Iraq.
Venkatasubramanian (Subbu) Hariharan, Managing Director, Canon Middle East and Türkiye, said: “The Canon Young People Programme embodies our Kyosei philosophy of living and working together for the common good, empowering young people with the skills and confidence to tackle the sustainability challenges that matter most to them. We are incredibly proud of the graduates across Jordan and Iraq whose remarkable work demonstrated that creativity and hope flourish even in the most challenging circumstances. Their powerful images amplified voices that deserved to be heard on the global stage. As we celebrated United Nations Day, these young photographers reminded us that investing in youth today creates the changemakers of tomorrow.”
The Canon Young People Programme uses the UN Sustainable Development Goals as a framework to empower young people to tackle sustainability issues in their communities through photography and visual storytelling. Since its launch in 2015, CYPP has engaged over 10,000 young people across EMEA, partnering with more than 40 charities and community organisations in over 36 participant countries.
This year’s cohorts in Jordan and Iraq completed an immersive photography and storytelling programme, mastering camera settings, lighting, composition, and editing skills. Students explored themes including education, gender equality, youth empowerment, and economic opportunity, translating personal experiences and community challenges into compelling visual narratives.
The programme featured experiential learning with field trips to historic and culturally significant sites, such as Ajloun in Jordan, where participants applied their skills in real-world settings. A unique cross-cultural exchange connected students virtually with peers in the U.S. Lens on Life class, while direct guidance from Canon’s Adam Pensotti helped refine both their technical abilities and narrative impact.
From Students to Mentors: Stories of Transformation
The programme’s impact extends far beyond technical skills, creating pathways for personal growth, advocacy, and future opportunities. Several graduates represent this transformative journey:
Fatima Al-Qasim, a 17-year-old from Daraa, Syria, fled war with her family to Za’atari Refugee Camp, where she discovered her passion for photography. Through the Lens on Life project and Canon YPP training, she transformed initial challenges into expertise. “Now, my relatives and friends ask me to document the beautiful moments in their lives by photographing birthdays, weddings, and graduations. My dream now is to become a widely known professional photographer,” Fatima shared.
Awaz Saud, 19, from Arbat Camp in Iraq, began as a student in the first round of Canon YPP programme. Her exceptional talent in illuminating critical social issues through photography led to her work being showcased in multiple exhibitions in Sulaymaniyah. Today, Awaz has returned to her community as a lead Lens on Life instructor and YPP facilitator, mentoring new participants and exemplifying how visual storytelling can empower youth and create meaningful change.
Hussein Salah, 21, a Syrian refugee from Arbat Camp, used his camera to share stories of community and resilience through the Canon YPP programme. His commitment and skill resulted in exhibitions both in the camp and the nearby city of Sulaymaniyah, and he was hired as the Lens on Life Project lead instructor. “A good photograph is one that lets people see themselves differently,” he shared during his final reflection session. Hussein’s journey from learner to teacher demonstrates how the programme empowers youth to take control of their narratives and build pathways for future success.
To date, the Lens on Life Project has trained 117 photographers in Jordan and 39 in Iraq. This season celebrates 27 graduates in Jordan and 10 in Iraq, with participants’ photographs featured in UN exhibitions, local media, global fine arts galleries, and Canon global CSR campaigns.
Sam Powers & Jack Powers, Co-Founders of Lens on Life Project, said:
“At Lens on Life, we believe that when young people are given access to education, tools, and a platform for expression, they have the power to transform not only their own futures, but their communities as well. Watching these students grow from learning how to operate a camera to using photography as a means of storytelling and advocacy, has been extraordinary. Their images reveal deep courage, resilience, and hope. We are honored to stand beside them and amplify their voices on a global stage.”
The timing of these exhibitions alongside United Nations Day reinforces the programme’s commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and highlights photography as a powerful tool for advocacy and social change. The graduates’ work demonstrated how youth voices, even in challenging circumstances, can illuminate universal themes of dignity, hope, and the pursuit of a sustainable future.
