Nepal’s Gen Z Shapes Leadership via Discord Amid Protests
Kathmandu: Nepal is regaining stability after intense Gen Z-led protests, with curfew restrictions lifted on Saturday. The appointment of Sushila Karki as interim Prime Minister on Friday marks a pivotal moment, driven by an unprecedented online selection process. Nepal’s youth harnessed the power of the Discord app, originally created for gamers in 2015 by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevsky, to choose their interim leader.
Initially a gaming platform, Discord evolved into a global communication hub, amassing over 25 million users by 2016 and gaining further traction during the pandemic, especially among Gen Z. Its servers and channels now host diverse discussions, making it a go-to platform for organizing and activism. Nepal’s “Youth Against Corruption” Discord server, with 1.3 lakh members, facilitated Karki’s selection through multiple online polls.
Intriguingly, media reports indicate that the voting may have included non-Nepali participants, as Discord’s open platform allows global access. This process was designed to guide the selection of Nepal’s next permanent leader, showcasing how digital tools are redefining political engagement in the Himalayan nation.
What is Discord?
Discord is a free communication platform designed for creating communities, enabling text, voice, and video interactions. Initially launched in 2015 by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevsky, it was created as a tool for gamers to chat seamlessly during gameplay. Over time, it evolved into a versatile app used by diverse groups, including students, professionals, hobbyists, and activists, for discussions, collaboration, and organizing. The platform operates through customizable “servers” (group chats) and “channels” (subtopics), offering features like file sharing, bots for automation, and integration with other apps. Headquartered in San Francisco, USA, Discord is now a global hub for real-time communication.
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