Youth power is a priceless and indispensable asset of any nation. Rather than limiting them to being the leaders of the future, we should consider the reality that they are active partners in the present. According to the National Youth Policy recently approved by the Government of Nepal (in Bhadra 2082), the age group of youth has now been fixed at 18 to 35 years.

According to the National Census 2078, the population of that age group is estimated to be about 30.10 percent, or about 9 million people. This demographic dividend is such a priceless gift, which if not properly mobilized, can turn into a curse. The bitter reality of the present is that this same power that can change the face of the country, is migrating abroad in search of a brighter future at the rate of about 1,600 people every day.

Capable youth with dreams of changing the face of the country, innovative ideas and leadership potential are available within all political parties. Their willpower, ideas and capabilities should be appropriately evaluated and given responsibility. Experienced and respected senior leaders should now transform their roles into guardianship and guidance, teaching their positive experiences, knowledge and skills, and should not delay in handing over responsibility to the youth. This process also gives new life, energy and legitimacy to old parties and helps maintain a balance of generational transfer in politics.

There are strong theoretical foundations behind the need for youth leadership, which have been presented with strong arguments from various political, social and economic contexts. First, newness and identification with technology. The younger generation is accustomed to information technology and the changing world environment. Under their leadership, newness, creative solutions, and contemporary policies are created in the structures established.

Youth are able to make maximum use of technology (such as e-governance, data-driven decision-making systems) to solve complex problems, which makes administration agile, fast, and transparent. Second, energy and quick performance. Youth have an indomitable zeal to work, the ability to make quick decisions, and the courage to take new initiatives by taking risks. Their arrival provides new momentum and refreshment to the sluggish political and administrative system, which is essential for rapid development and result-oriented performance in a developing country like Nepal. Third, the standard of credibility and accountability. The current younger generation is most fed up with corruption, slowness, and opacity.

When youth reach leadership, they are expected to establish high standards of accountability and transparency because they are directly connected to the people through social media and digital platforms. Since the youth constitute a large part of the country's population, they should be adequately represented at the decision-making level of policy-making. Without this, youth-centric policies (employment, education, health, entrepreneurship) cannot be formed. Youth representation brings policy-making closer to the reality of the people and their needs.

The biggest irony today is that the youth's enthusiasm in politics cannot be transformed into decisive leadership. The fact that only 12 percent of the youth under the age of 40 were represented in the House of Representatives in the 2079 elections clearly shows that the established parties have been stingy in providing opportunities to the youth.

This is why there has been a deep distaste for the old political style among the youth. There are some reasons for the anger seen among the youth in recent years - the disruption of generational transition, where the same face has been leading the party and the government for years and the youth have been used only as rally crowds or election workers.

Another reason is protectionism and nepotism. There is a lack of democracy within the party and nepotism and protectionism prevail over merit in the distribution of positions and opportunities. Despite the talk of good governance and development in the country, the youth are increasingly angry as corruption in political patronage increases. Due to the lack of employment opportunities, educated youth are forced to go abroad. However, the political leadership is not paying attention to job creation. When examining the reasons for the Gen-G movement, it becomes clear to what extent the youth of Nepal were dissatisfied with the old political leadership. 

Finland's Sanna Marin (34 years old) showed that high maturity and crisis management skills are possible even at a young age by bringing innovative reforms in education, technology and social welfare. New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern (37 years old) won global praise for her positive politics, strong leadership in crises (Christchurch attacks, Covid) and honesty based on empathy.

France's Emmanuel Macron (39 years old) implemented a reformist economic agenda by transferring generations in French politics, which sent a message that new thought leadership can be established by breaking the inertia within the party. Similarly, Costa Rica’s Carlos Alvarado (38) has become a world leader on environmental issues and has pushed for a green economy. These examples make it clear that if the energy of youth can be transformed into institutional politics, it can accelerate the development and stability of a nation. It is not just a matter of age, but rather a matter of new ideas, working styles and perspectives.

The transfer of responsibility does not mean a complete departure of old leaders, but rather a balance between experienced and young leadership. The country needs both experienced and young leadership. The role of experienced leadership should now be that of a mentor, a guardian and a protector. They should provide the youth with political process, diplomacy and complex administrative knowledge. In contrast, the role of young leadership should be that of an engine. They should use new energy, technology and a transparent working style to transform policies and plans into results. Only when the balance of jos (youth) and hos (experience) is maintained, good governance and sustainable stability are possible in the country.