By Regine Guevara, Global South Initiative
Across the Global South, a silent storm is brewing. The same generation that mobilized for climate action and equality is now erupting into spontaneous waves of digital rebellion — sometimes noble, sometimes seemingly chaotic. From Morocco to Brazil to the Philippines, Gen Zs are reshaping the narrative of justice, and civic expression. The challenge before governments and multilateral stakeholders, is not merely to punish and mute what are otherwise excited voices – but to understand and redirect this energy through a Youth, Peace, and Security (YPS) lens — towards meaningful participation, and reform.
In Morocco, 2025 opened with protests led by youth frustrated by the cost of living and employment stagnation. In cities like Casablanca, Tanger and Rabat, online mobilization quickly turned to street demonstrations — many spontaneous, some violent.
These acts were fueled not by organized crime but by a generation feeling systematically unheard. The lesson is clear: civic frustration without structured youth inclusion easily mutates into public unrest.
In Brazil, youth-led protests rise again, particularly in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, where students and gig workers rallied against corruption and the new digital services tax. Social media amplified these calls into citywide movements, some descending into riots as marginalized youth from the favelas demanded justice, jobs, and dignity. The protests were not just about taxation but about systemic inequality — a cry from communities feeling excluded from Brazil’s booming creative and tech sectors.
In the Philippines, the frustration has taken on a digital and moral dimension. The 2025 “No to Corruption” youth marches in Manila and Quezon City drew thousands of students, many inspired by investigative reports exposing misuse of public education funds.
As someone who has witnessed the impact of student and job fairs in the Philippines — I truly believe we need similar youth inclusive spaces for the youth, by and with the yout, where the next generation can turn frustration into innovation, and rebellion into reform.
At the Global South Initiative, we have seen that creative engagement can temper rage into renewal. Artist-led movements such as the “Who Are You” Tour, and its productions around the upcoming AFCON 2025 Youth Fan Festival, and soon to come BRICS Music Festivals as living laboratories for not only creative expression but also sustainable, social entrepreneurship. These platforms harness rhythm, sport, and storytelling to promote the YPS agenda through joy instead of judgment. In partnership with Peace Embassy, Global Citizen and ICESCO/UNESCO, we are keen to continue developing cultural spaces where music, digital art, and social entrepreneurship merge into peace advocacy — transforming youth from protest to passion.
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