Generation of Hope: National Geographic Photo Camp Belfast

Generation of Hope highlights the stories and perspectives of a group of storytellers as they explore what it means to be a young person in Northern Ireland today. These stunning images and powerful written words were created by sixteen students who participated in a National Geographic Photo Camp in 2024.

National Geographic Photo Camp is an immersive week-long experience where young people receive instruction and guidance from world-class National Geographic Explorers and photographers, to build their skills and confidence, explore the world around them, and develop deep connections with each other and their community.

During the National Geographic Photo Camp in Belfast, students learned how to use photographs and written words to weave a narrative centered on the hopes and challenges of their generation, 26 years after The Good Friday Agreement that ended most of the violence of the Troubles in Northern Ireland since the late 1960s.

National Geographic Photo Camp collaborated with Belfast Exposed to host the workshop in the autumn of 2024. This exhibition has been curated by the students themselves, with guidance from Belfast Exposed’s exhibition team, National Geographic Explorers, photographers as well as mentors from the National Geographic Society.

Generation of Hope exhibits the vibrant Belfast community, complex history and the power resilience through the lens of the next generation.

Image © Toby Coole