8 September 2025 marked a defining rupture in Nepal's recent political history—a youth-led flash mobilization that challenged not only the state but also the very grammar of political participation. After suddenly finding themselves at the center of a political rupture—one that opened up unprecedented space to represent a broader public mandate—Nepali youth were thrust into roles they had little formal preparation or capital for.In this episode, Khushi Hang and Anusha Khanal sit down to reflect on their ongoing research, A Political Economy of Nepal's Youth Mobilization, unpacking what came after the protest. From personal motivations to structural shifts, Khushi and Anusha explore how "Gen Z" evolved from a social to a political group, optimizing informal resources to gain legitimacy. They discuss the factors that shaped Gen Z organizing, its strategies, successes, and limitations. 🕒 CHAPTERS:00:00 - Introduction: The 8 September Rupture03:10 - Why We Showed Up: Personal Motivations09:40 - The Rise of “Gen Z” as a Political Identity27:15 - From Mobilization to Organization36:50 - Inside Gen Z Groups: Networks, Trust, and Legitimacy47:30 - Doing Politics Differently: Horizontal Structures & Digital Space57:10 - Access, Inequality, and the Kathmandu-Centric Challenge01:05:40 - Post-Election Shift: Accountability and Civic Space01:15:20 - Funding, Trust, and the Risks of Institutionalization01:24:10 - Civil Society Across Generations01:32:00 - Final Reflections: What Has Actually Shifted?🎙️ THE PANEL:Khushi Hang Tenga: Researcher, Policy Entrepreneurs Inc. (PEI)Anusha Khanal: Researcher & Gen Z Activist🔗 CONNECT WITH PEI:Website: www.pei.centerX (Twitter): @tweet2PEILinkedIn: https://np.linkedin.com/company/policy-entrepreneurs-inc
