Best Photos Of The World We Want: Great Photography Contest Celebrating U.N.’s 75th Year

To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the United Nations, photographers from around the world share their hopes and wishes for the future in #TheWorldWeWant, a global photo contest organized by mobile app Agora.

Seventy-five images to celebrate the 75 years have been selected from 51,000 submitted from 133 countries to be featured in a United Nations online exhibit launching October 20 and accessible here.

#TheWorldWeWant contest was launched in May, 2020, on the free-to-use mobile app Agora, inviting photographers all over the world to share their vision of the future they want for themselves and future generations in a single photo while celebrating the U.N on the occasion of the milestone 75th anniversary.

“Together, the 75 finalist images are a visual manifesto illustrating a collective drive to protect, heal, and regenerate our world and demonstrate that there is much more that unites us than divides us,” the organizers explain. “The photos highlight the urgent need for the international community to come together in common purpose to manifest a new reality where all people can thrive in peace, dignity, and equality on a healthy planet.”

Today, the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic — arguably, the greatest test humanity has experienced since WWII — has exposed the existing fault lines of inequality, injustice, fear and misinformation, underscored by the climate crisis and an unparalleled extinction of species on our planet. In this moment of reckoning, the voices of ‘We the Peoples’ could not be more critical in charting a course forward for humanity on our shared planet.

“At a time when the world faces a global pandemic and other formidable threats, we must join forces across borders and generations to work together for a better common future. This photo exhibition can help to inspire us for this collective task,”said U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres.

Each photographer of the images bellow describes why it represents “the world they want.”

“The world I want is moving towards safe, clean, and renewable energy sources as a sign of respect to our surrounding natural environment. Actionable change on sustainable energy will help us minimize our impact on wildlife, land, and water.”

“The mindset that the natural world is ours to destroy and profit from needs to change. With deforestation encroaching on many important habitats around the world, we need to ask ourselves if our consumption is worth more than these animals' existence. The natural world has been pushed aside by expanding agricultural and urban areas, leaving barely any room for wildlife. Protecting small areas is no longer enough — we need to give land back to nature.”

“We need to make the world a better place to keep children safe in the places where they live, learn and play.”

“I want a world where we embrace each other and turn our flaws into strengths.”

“I want a world where determination can turn education into success. As I wandered through this community, I realized that even if education was accessible for all, only a few could access quality education. Despite lacking proper school material to study, these children were more determined to succeed than ever.”

“This unique ice cave formation brings me bittersweet memories: A tour of the area will no doubt leave you in awe, but the unprecedented rate at which this glacier has been receding is staggering. I want a world where future generations can still have the chance to see and enjoy this beauty. Let’s work together to stop climate change!”

“I want the world to be full of happiness.”

“We want a world where our girls can go to school freely, without fearing their menstrual cycle. We need to advocate for free sanitary towels for children in school.”

“I want a world without deforestation. Did you know that Borneo is one of the most biodiverse places on Earth - with over 15,000 plant species and 400 different species of animals such as birds, mammals, and reptiles? Many of them can only be found here and nowhere else. It’s so important to protect places like this in the world and make sure that they still exist for generations to come.”

“I want a world that protects the loving co-existence of people regardless of their skin color.

“I want a world of kindness, where people share their warmth and love for each other and all species.”

“I want a world where all our dreams can come true.”

“I want a world where we can live peacefully, in full harmony with nature. While rural populations living far from the hustle of cities may not have access to technology and luxury, they have a deeper connection with the environment surrounding them.”

“The world I would want my unborn children to exist in has been built on a foundation called love, where the pasture is green and fertile.”

“Despite progress to end national conflict, Colombian children continue to be the victims of war and inequality in the country. I want to live in a world where all children can smile, play, and be educated; a world where violence and misery cannot destroy their dreams.”

“I want a world sustained by green energy that generates the lowest impact possible on the environment.”

“Our environment is increasingly threatened day by day, making for an alarming situation for future generations. Every child has a right to health care, clean water, and education. The world I want makes sure that they are never denied these basic rights.”

“I believe in female empowerment and gender equality. I want a world where men and women have the opportunity to work side by side.”

“The world I want builds bridges instead of borders and provides equal access to quality education for children in remote areas.”

“In the world I want, you can hear laughter all around. The diversity of language doesn't affect friendship and the practice of sports brings humanity together.”

“To me, this picture is the perfect example of what I want for future generations: a world where prejudices do not exist.”