It is unsurprising that it is getting hard for the members of GenZ to channel a unified, coordinated voice. After all, while I am not, in any way, minimizing or downplaying the role of youths on Sept 8, I am not completely sure that we are dealing with a real movement.

We are talking about something very loose, not even a network but a “dynamic” that, though super powered by social media enabled connectivity, is itself disconnected and divided on many instances. A movement requires organization, a vision, precise and articulated goals and a unifying leadership.

GenZ, at least for now, has no organization but has some vague though important goals. Certainly, there is a common thread bringing all youths together, the dream of a country free of corruption and nepotism, a nation that can tap into its immense potential by offering opportunities to all.

But it appears divided on many key issues like the direct election of the prime minister. It also lacks, at least in the traditional sense, a real leadership. Some personalities have emerged and they have taken a more prominent role but they cannot legitimately proclaim to represent the great diversity of the whole GenZ.

There are several groups representing different interests, each assuming the responsibility of bringing forward certain voices, channeling particular perspectives and views that reflect the complex reality on the ground. In a way, such division mirrors the fragmentation of Nepali society where caste and ethnicity still have a huge role.

But there is an opportunity for a shared leadership that could help turn GenZ into a real movement with a loose structure but clear objectives and common messages. Such a type of leadership would not be centered on charismatic individuals but rather it would reflect a more inclusive and egalitarian approach.

In a way, social media that have been correctly criticized for enabling misinformation and disinformation, spreading chaos and confusion, could play a positive role in ensuring that the less visible voices can be finally heard.

Yet, at the end of the day, GenZ might need something different and more powerful and it is here that deliberative practices could become useful. I imagine a sort of “States General” of the GenZ or a “General Assembly” where the diverse voices can find a common platform.

Let’s call this idea the GenZ Civic Forum. Such a proposition would be based on the best practices stemming from deliberative democracy where, in general terms, citizens come together to listen to each other, reason together and then deliberate.

The GenZ Civic Forum could come alive both in the online sphere but also in person. Both processes would be complementary to each other with the former offering an opportunity to individual youths or groups of them to elaborate proposals in an initial stage.

An online platform, in essence a web site, could be created for this purpose where new ideas and propositions would be uploaded and visible to other users. It would be essential that each proposition would entail a certain level of details and specifics rather than generic and simplistic ideas just being thrown out.

Basically, while the format should not be overly complex, users would be requested to make an effort at elaborating and elucidating their propositions, including by bringing in some comparative examples from other nations. Each proposition, once uploaded, could be assessed and even scored by other users in what could be a scoring system.

To simplify the experience, propositions could be made in different categories. One, at macro level, related to the biggest issues like the nature and shape of political systems, for example about direct or indirect election of the Prime Minister or issues related to the electoral system. Then at a lower level, propositions could be fielded through sub-categories in areas like basic education, science and innovation, health, business and commerce, social protection.

In a second phase, online discussion forums could be organized around the above issues. It would be improbable that consensus would emerge on every single issue but at least, the participants would educate each other by listening to each other. Clear moderation rules should be set in order to ensure that everyone would have an opportunity to share her idea and the principles of inclusion and equalities are fully respected and upheld.

With some creativity and ingenuity, it is very possible to imagine in person gatherings at local levels wherever feasible and possible. There would be common rules that would follow the key cornerstones of deliberative democracy where participants set aside for a moment their held positions and genuinely try to understand others’ views.

Local experts could be called to share their opinions and expertise.

For example, professionals with a health background could share their thoughts about how to improve the public health system and fully regulate private hospitals. Experts from education would share their considerations on ways to strengthen community schools.

Imagine a local GenZ Civic Forum where in one session participants delve on matters related to one particular area while in the next one, they focus on another area. At the end, common propositions would be forged once the participants would spend time to reflect and talk to each other in an open, unbiased and respectful manner.

We could even envision a central level Civic Forum with representatives from the local forums. I do understand that many readers might find these ideas excessively naïve or idealistic but deliberative democracy is a reality and it is being practiced around the world, both in the Global South and Global North.

Is it going to be easy? Is it going to be that simple to run GenZ Civic Forums local and at national level? There will be challenges and difficulties and many details must be sorted out but the bottom line is that a different way of doing politics is not only imaginable, it is also possible.

In the end, even if all the challenges are sorted out, the dream of a deliberative democracy wave powered by GenZ might not happen. The incoming elections are pushing many members of the GenZ to make a choice and take a side, often by deciding to run themselves.

Rather than trying to find a common position, they will be under pressure to differentiate each other and try to emerge from the pack. Having members of the GenZ running for elections is a very good thing but let’s not forget that politics as usual are ineffective and traditional election based democracy is in crisis and not only in Nepal.

It is a pity and a missed opportunity but the good news is that deliberative democracy can co-exist with elections… This means that the GenZ Civic Forum can become a reality even if there will be a big number of GenZ elected in the next parliament.

At the end of the day, politics should not happen only in the chambers of powers but also in the chambers full of unelected citizens. Also because the new crop of MPs will be always in need of a reality check and it will not harm them to stay quiet and listen to the citizen peers, not only once in a while but periodically and in a structured fashion where deliberative democracy will reign.