The Gen-Z movement sparked a generational shift in Nepal’s politics and ushered in a new government, yet the national civic space remains stubbornly restricted. Activists, journalists, and independent voices face a hostile operating environment. Gen-Z activists, once close to the government now find it inaccessible, while civil society continues to operate with constrained funds and limitations. A mix of digital disinformation and restricted dialogue has further polarized society with tensions visible in both digital and community spaces, some even leading to communal violence. If left unmanaged, this situation, combined with surveillance, risks escalating any unrest into a severe national crisis.
Though a new era of civic engagement has in fact emerged—fuelled by youth and digital town halls—it is met with fierce pushback. Disinformation, privacy breaches, and state monitoring create a climate of fear that stifles freedom of expression and association. As a result, today’s civic movements are often sporadic and short-lived, with Gen-Z leaders bearing the brunt of defamation and intimidation. And yet, the Nepali government alone will clearly not be able to solve the country’s complex and deeply rooted problems without the crucial and active involvement of civil society and independent voices. Against this backdrop, Narayan Adhikari will discuss the possible ways in which the struggle for an open and resilient society can be taken forward in contemporary Nepal.
About the speaker
Narayan Adhikari is the co-founder and South Asia Representative for Accountability Lab, a global trans-local network that supports active citizens, responsible leaders, and accountable institutions. He also serves on Nepal’s Governance Reform Commission, appointed following the historic Gen-Z protests to align state mechanisms with the aspirations of a new generation, and acts as a strategic advisor to the global #ShiftThePower movement and the Climate Tank for Seeds of Peace in South Asia.