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The 11th Carmignac Photojournalism Award—which, this year, focuses on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)—was awarded to British-Canadian photographer Finbarr O’Reilly. His reportage started in January 2020, before the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Due to the swiftly worsening global health situation and the gradual closing of international borders, finding a different way of working became essential. Finbarr O’Reilly and the Award team—in close collaboration with the jury of the 11th edition—have reframed their approach to this work in the face of the crisis.

Fondation Carmignac is honoured to present “Congo in Conversation” by Finbarr O’Reilly, a collaborative online chronicle through close cooperation with Congolese journalists and photographers. The project addresses the human, social and ecological challenges that the Congo faces today, within the context of this new health crisis. Relaying information via a dedicated website and social networks, “Congo in Conversation” provides an uninterrupted and unprecedented stream of articles, photo reportages and videos, which visitors can consult by theme or by contributor. With “Congo in Conversation”, the Fondation Carmignac provides an outlet for Congolese voices to contribute to the global discourse, communally attest to the on-the-ground situation within this immense country, and raise public awareness. “Congo In Conversation” is presented in a bilingual French-English monograph, co-published by Reliefs Editions and the Carmignac Foundation, with two covers illustrating different aspects of this collaborative reportage.

With contributions from: Arlette Bashizi | Dieudonne Dirole | Charly Kasereka | Justin Makangara | Guylain Balume Muhindo | Guerchom Ndebo | Raissa Karama Rwizibuka | Moses Sawasawa | Pamela Tulizo | Ley Uwera | Bernadette Vivuya