Student activism has often emerged in response to broader societal shifts and moments of political tension. In the streets of Dhaka and the digital trenches of Bangkok, young people are determined to protest injustice to build something better. From Bangladesh’s student-led movements that catalysed political shifts, to the groundswell of support behind Thailand’s Move Forward Party, youth activism in Asia is increasingly intersecting with mainstream politics, influencing public discourse and electoral outcomes in several countries.
In countries where political power has traditionally been the preserve of elite networks and ageing hierarchies, youthful engagement is unsettling the established order. As Dr Jimmy Lim, Lecturer in Political Science at National University of Singapore’s Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) observes, activism is best understood as “engaged citizenship — ordinary people choosing to raise awareness and inspire others to care more deeply about issues.” Activism — not defined by marches and rallies — spans art, public education and digital campaigns, offering not just protest, but a vision of alternative futures.
Bangladesh: From protest to power
Bangladesh is a case study of how youth movements can trigger political change. In 2018, student-led protests gained momentum in response to proposed changes to public-sector job quotas, highlighting growing frustrations with governance and representation. The government’s eventual concession was significant for its policy reversal, and a generational break with a political culture long rooted in patronage.
In 2024, the same civic networks rallied behind Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus — not as a conventional politician, but as a transitional figure charged with restoring stability and reviving democratic norms. What began as student protests over civil service quotas evolved into a broader civic response to Bangladesh’s democratic challenges.
The consequences of activism have, at times, been severe. The death of Abu Sayed in Rangpur drew international attention and galvanised support across the Bangladeshi diaspora. Reports from the period estimate that protest-related fatalities exceeded 1,000, underscoring the risks youth activists can face. Yet the persistence of the movement suggests that Bangladesh’s youth are not merely reacting to politics — they are beginning to shape it.
Thailand: Hope deferred, but not denied
Thailand’s 2023 general election saw the Move Forward Party gain significant support, particularly among younger voters. While the result was seen as a shift in political sentiment, the party’s attempt to form a government was ultimately blocked by the military-appointed Senate, reflecting ongoing institutional constraints.
Despite the setback, it signalled that a youthful electorate can shift the political centre of gravity, even if institutions resist.
Thailand’s youth movements are well-versed in activism. From the Free Youth and #LetsRunHamtaro movements of 2020–2021 to the digital mobilisation of the Milk Tea Alliance, they have shown an ability to innovate under pressure. By using pop culture, satire and social media, they reimagined political activism and forged cross-border solidarity.
Importantly, their aims are not solely oppositional but often constructive: demands for constitutional reform, military accountability and greater transparency point to an agenda of democratic renewal rather than revolt.
Singapore: Quiet activism, loud impact
In Singapore, where public demonstrations are tightly regulated, youth activism has taken on quieter but no less impactful forms. Instead of street protests, young activists organise through community-building, research, public dialogue, and strategic advocacy within legal constraints.
One example is CAPE (Community for Advocacy and Political Education), a student-led initiative that promotes political literacy through workshops, reading groups, and civic education projects. Their goal is not to confront the state, but to empower young Singaporeans to engage critically with public policy and governance.
Similarly, SG Climate Rally, co-founded by youth activists, has used legal public spaces like Hong Lim Park to raise awareness about climate justice. Their carefully choreographed rallies, policy briefs, and public art campaigns illustrate how constructive activism can flourish even within strict regulatory boundaries.
Singapore’s example shows that youth activism in Asia does not always take the form of confrontation — it can be carefully negotiated, deeply civic, and quietly transformational.
Yet, as Dr Lim notes, the space for such engagement varies across the region. “Even peaceful acts, such as silent vigils, can be met with disapproval or suspicion in some countries. This is unfortunate because it sends a message that it is safer not to care, or not to care too publicly. And over time, when this message takes root, it may encourage citizens to retreat into their private lives, to care only for their immediate circles, the upshot of which is that they may take no interest in national or global issues, or do so only when these issues touch upon their private world,” he said.
“In this state of affairs, those who suffer most are often those who lack power to begin with: people without the right to vote or participate fully in the political and socio-economic life of any country — refugees, internally displaced persons, migrant workers, future generations, and so forth. That is why social activism matters: to resist society’s natural tendency to turn inward and ensure that the voices of the vulnerable are not left unheard.”
What makes youth movements different?
Unlike older movements rooted in party politics or class struggles, today’s youth-led movements are agile, decentralised, and generationally resonant. They tap into cultural touchpoints such as cartoons, memes, music, and wield humour as a weapon. Their grievances are urgent, but their tone is often disarmingly hopeful.
They are also more diverse. Today’s youth are advocating for issues ranging from jobs and democratic participation to LGBTQ+ rights, gender equality, climate justice, and anti-racism. This broad agenda makes the movements harder to define and equally hard to suppress. Professor Manoj Kumar Jha, an academic at the University of Delhi and a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India, notes, “students are often the first to observe the discontent of society”.
Muhammad Yunus's success, or failure, in stabilising Bangladesh’s democracy could reverberate far beyond the country’s borders. If the transition succeeds, it could offer a model for how youth movements and transitional leadership can work hand-in-hand to rebuild public trust. If it falters, it may serve as a warning to those banking on youth-led change alone.