Wikipedia: Filip Halo 

After reading through, #ShowYourSelfie to tell world leaders you care about the rights of youth.

We may all be guilty of taking a lot of selfies, but rarely do they get to make a difference. At our NYC launch event last week, we gave guests a chance to be part of a teaser campaign for #ShowYourSelfie. The campaign, which officially launches on August 12th, is collecting images and stories of young people and their supporters to give to world leaders and governments at the UN General Assembly in September a strong call to action to ramp up their investments in young people. Youth make up almost a quarter of the population yet  are often overlooked when leaders create policy. Policy for developing nations needs to include the rights and needs of youth if they are going to be successful. I was amazed by how excited people were to get in front of the camera for the issues they care about, issues like access to reproductive health and family planning, safety from violence and education.  Here are the selfies that prove that people take the best selfies when they are for a good cause:

Global Citizen

Here’s the amazing background we set up. There is something about having a 12 foot tall photo wall that makes people come over to ask what’s going on. When we explained #ShowYourSelfie, and how these pictures were going to encourage decision-makers to ensure the rights of adolescents and youth, we got some great photos.

Global Citizen

We highlighted the reasons why world leaders should invest in youth and adolescents on signs. You could see people looking through them and picking the ones that really resonated with them. We hope these messages will resonate as strongly with the world leaders we present the #ShowYourSelfie images to!

Instagram: elcapitanwilkin

The signs that focused on the underemployment of youth and rights of girls caught the attention of a lot of guests. It’s not surprising that people wanted to show their support once they realized there are so many obstacles to youth, especially girls, trying to reach their full potential. All youth should have a right to employment opportunities.

Instagram: brittneymishio

Co-founder of Def Jam, Russell Simmons, stopped by to take some selfies with us. He believes access to health care is a right for all youth. Basic health care includes access to family planning services and information so that girls can have control over their lives, stay in school and build healthier, wealthier communities.

Tumblr: djannalog

Russell Simmons and his friend Anna Dang, who goes by DJ Annalog, joined forces for another selfie. DJ Annalog later showed us some of her DJ skills.

Global Citizen
Global Citizen

Fashion model Mariah Strongin demonstrates her skills  while supporting education and job training for youth and adolescents. Education, at least to the secondary level, is another crucial factor for empowering young people.

Global Citizen

We were so happy when she tweeted her selfietoo!

Instagram: carlodumandan

This Citizen’s selfie shows his support for all girls, who deserve a right to grow up. One of the rights we are asking leaders to recognize is the right for youth to be safe from violence and harmful practices like child marriage.

Instagram: travisrandall
Global Citizen

Some people are talented at taking selfies and got fancy with the camera work. But some people needed help from our staff...

Global Citizen

This might not technically be a selfie, but it’s hard to hold a sign and a camera at the same time. Adam’s sign is a powerful message about the vulnerability of young women and girls.

Twitter: HannoRanck

Our #ShowYourSelfie partners from the UNFPA were there too! UNFPA, or the United Nations Population Fund, are the backbone of the #ShowYourSelfie campaign.

Instagram: cheyennepeerson

I’m starting to think that all selfies are better with props. The Global Citizen O inspires some great poses.

Instagram: shellenberger1
Global Citizen

Think you can out-selfie these pros? Join us on August 12th and submit the best selfie of your life! #ShowYourSelfie will push world leaders to invest in the rights of adolescents and youth all around the world. Every young person deserves the knowledge, skills and opportunities to live a healthy, productive life, with the enjoyment of all human rights.

Michelle Kennedy

Editorial

Demand Equity

Guess who takes the best #ShowYourSelfie