Young Activists Give Hope Against Rising Authoritarianism

When nearly 1,000 activists, artists, and civil society leaders met in Bangkok last November, they came armed with stories of hope against a backdrop of democratic decline.

The International Civil Society Week brought together people fighting authoritarianism from every corner of the globe. Their mission: share strategies for protecting freedom of expression, peaceful protest, and human rights in an era when despots are tightening their grip on power.

Mandeep Tiwana, secretary-general of Civicus, a global alliance of civil society organizations, sees two troubling trends emerging. Authoritarian states are gaining extreme military and economic power while traditional democracies are experiencing serious degradation of their institutions.

But Tiwana refuses to surrender to despair. His optimism comes from watching young people rise up for their rights in recent years.

In Kenya, youth led massive protests against corruption. South Korean students stood against military-style rule. When a corrupt group tried to steal Guatemala's election, it was young people who flooded the streets in defiance.

"I have two daughters, aged 11 and 12, and when I see them go to school and being so conscious around issues of discrimination and inclusion, that gives me hope," says Tiwana, a human rights lawyer who took over as Civicus secretary-general in June 2025.

The conference wasn't just talk. It featured real examples of creative resistance, including work from ArtLords, an organization of Afghan calligraphers using their art to challenge oppression.

The Ripple Effect

The gathering created something powerful: global solidarity. Activists learned they aren't fighting alone, and that matters when facing down repressive regimes.

Tiwana highlights three fundamental rights as essential weapons against authoritarianism: freedom of association, freedom of expression, and the right to peaceful assembly. Wherever these rights are suppressed, corruption and concentrated power inevitably follow.

The challenge feels immense. Populist leaders exploit social media echo chambers, offering simple solutions to complex problems. They target disenfranchised youth with charisma and machismo, turning frustration with imperfect democracies into support for strongman rule.

But Tiwana points to a crucial truth: the quality of kindness and awareness he sees in young people today surpasses previous generations. They understand inclusion, recognize discrimination, and aren't afraid to demand better.

Civicus has created networks connecting activists worldwide, ensuring that when governments crack down on peaceful protests in Serbia or Kenya, the world is watching and others stand in solidarity.

The streets of Bangkok filled with delegates who refuse to accept that authoritarianism is inevitable, proving that creative resistance and international solidarity remain democracy's best defense.