Introducing the MTV EMA Generation Change Award

For the first time ever, the MTV EMA is recognizing the inspiring, young changemakers of the world with the MTV EMA Generation Change award. The five changemakers nominated for the award this year are Xiuhtezcatl "X" Martinez, Sonita Alizadeh, Mohamed Al Jounde, Hauwa Ojeifo and Ellen Jones. They're all no older than 25 and tackling some of the world's toughest problems in substantial ways.
 
Each changemaker represents a different cause worth fighting for. You can vote for the cause that matters most to you by posting your favourite changemaker's hashtag along with #MTVEMA to Twitter and Instagram. The Generation Change Award will go to the cause with the most hashtag votes. 
 
Xiuhtezcatl "X" Martinez is a climate activist, hip-hop artist, and powerful voice leading an environmental movement. Vote for X's cause with #GenerationEarthGuardians + #MTVEMA.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Meditate & drink water 🌱 📷: @josue_foto

A post shared by Xiuhtezcatl (@xiuhtezcatl) on


 
Mohamad Al Jounde is a 17-year-old Syrian refugee who built a school in a refugee camp in Lebanon when he was just 12 years old. The school now provides education to 200 students, both children and adults. You can vote for Mohamad's cause with #GenerationRefugeeRights + #MTVEMA
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Mohamad Al Jounde (@mohamad_aljounde) on


 
Sonita Alizadeh uses her rap lyrics and powerful voice to help end child marriagesupport girls' rights to choose their destiny and inspire people everywhere to dream bigger dreams. You can vote for Sonita's cause with #GenerationEndChildMarriage + #MTVEMA.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sonita Alizadeh-سونیتا علیزاده (@sonitalizadeh) on


 
Hauwa Ojeifo is a 25-year-old change-maker who founded a movement of love, hope and support to give mental health a voice in Nigeria. You can vote for Hauwa's cause with #GenerationSafe + #MTVEMA. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

@Regrann from @shewriteswoman - @Regrann from @inspiredwomenofworth - We woke up this morning delighted to celebrate our very own Woman of Possibilities @shewriteswoman who is using her inner dazzle to make a difference in the lives of men and women and tons of family dealing with mental illness. We have so many reasons to be thankful for the work she does. She has found her purpose and she is walking fearlessly in it (which is the iwow message), picking up as many women as she can as she journeys on. She initiated the first ever 24/7 mental health crisis helpline and support group in Nigeria. She partnered with Wiki loves women to ensure the inclusion of localized #mentalhealth information on the wikipedia platform. Following a diagnosis of #bipolar and post traumatic stress disorder (#PTSD) She decided to damn the consequences and use her experience to help women fight this silent and lonely battle with a highly misunderstood illness. Join us as we begin to fundraise to help her reach more lives. Repost, refer or call us today on 08096000045 or 08174913329 to find out how you can support this cause. Also share your email address and receive our newsletter to find out other ways to support this cause. Dear Hauwa @shewriteswoman , Keep on shining, keep on dazzling, keep on triggering your inner ROAR... cause you've got the eyes of a tiger 🙅👭 and the heart of a lion.😙😍 - #regrann - #regrann

A post shared by Hauwa Ojeifo (@ladygovernor) on


 
Ellen Jones is a 20-year-old activist from the UK who creates content to effect change and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health, disability rights and feminist issues. You can vote for Ellen's cause with #GenerationInclusion + #MTVEMA.
 

 
The Generation Change Award will be presented during the 2018 MTV EMA red carpet show in Bilbao, Spain on 4 November.  Follow the @MTVEMA on social media for more exciting news and updates.