During his keynote address, “Peace and National Reconciliation in Cambodia: Lessons for Southeast Asia,” at the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia School of Government in Jakarta, Senate President and former Prime Minister Hun Sen criticized young people for increasingly devaluing peace and mocking the government’s efforts to maintain it.

Hun Sen’s disappointment with how young people perceive the peace narrative mirrors the government’s frustration.

It is frustrating because they believe youth overlook the peace narrative, ridiculing the government’s claims about maintaining peace and the cost of losing it.

For Hun Sen, there has to be recognition and appreciation for the reality that peace in Cambodia has been hard-earned through a painful and tragic history, including genocide. That means it must never be compromised at any cost.

Aside from peace, he pointed out that unemployed and uneducated individuals are more vulnerable to extreme ideologies, emboldening them to seek undemocratic regime change. Coupled with resource scarcity, the governments of least developed countries such as Cambodia often have to bear considerable burdens to bring about development and deliver the results that many people desire.

“There is no single magic formula to turn the country into a developed one in an instant, as we desire and as some people demand,” Hun Sen said. “We need participation and understanding about the development speed as a nation that does not possess sufficient means and resources like developed nations.”

The former prime minister is correct in highlighting the struggles of the least developed countries like Cambodia in their development efforts. Development cannot be as rapid as people want. He is also right to demand understanding from people and other stakeholders because any support is crucial to pushing forward progress. 

While it is also valid for him to highlight the need to protect hard-won peace and that he has the right to be discontented with those who overlook its significance, blaming young people for belittling peace is unreasonable. It is because younger people do not belittle the peace narrative; they simply reject the state's version of it.

Impacts of demographic shift

What happens in Cambodia suggests a bigger, more crucial trend of demographic change that will embolden the social and political landscape. That is the growing population of young millennials and Gen Z worldwide, who hold significantly different views influenced by global changes.

Over the past years, governments everywhere have gradually realized they cannot ignore these groups, as the consequences of neglecting and failing to comprehend them are too high.

They are emerging as a crucial demographic influence, shaping power dynamics across societies and challenging many governments. A striking instance of the consequences of disregarding the young population, especially Gen Z, is the young people's role in toppling Sheikh Hasina, the dictator, in August 2024 in Bangladesh.

Governments may encounter new difficulties if they fail to adapt and acknowledge the implications of this demographic shift.

To date, no research has explicitly focused on Generation Z's perspective on politics and how they view the political landscape in Cambodia. This highlights a situation where states overlook the impact of demographic shifts, presuming that their governance methods remain unchanged, rooted in empathy for a tragic history and a fear of reverting to conflict.

Nonetheless, the reality is entirely different. Like their peers worldwide, they hold diverse identities and worldviews shaped by their exposure to the digital world and rapid socio-economic changes.

To some extent, they maintain a negative view of the government, perceiving themselves as neglected by the political system and marginalized by establishments.

Rising inflation, job shortages, corruption, social inequality and more have worsened their distrust in the government.

They already face pressures from rising challenges, including housing shortages, inadequate mental health services, the climate crisis, advancements in artificial intelligence, and evolving identities and social roles. These factors contribute to a sense of vulnerability among the youth, particularly in the context of various global crises.
Millennials and Generation Z in Cambodia account for at least 60 percent of the population. Their lives are not different and are indeed shaped by the above-mentioned factors.

There is a noticeable divergence from older generations, including those raised during the war era or through the history of difficult situations in the post-war period, who often conformed and were less willing to criticize the establishment openly.

The new groups are more vocal and courageous in expressing their disagreements. Many have been exposed to the internet since birth, giving them a broader understanding of world views like good governance, human rights, rule of law, freedoms, and multiparty democracy, especially checks and balances, which Cambodia lacks.

That is why, instead of disparaging their diminishing appreciation for peace, the country’s leadership should reflect on being more accommodating and find ways to encourage meaningful participation in national development.

Peace on young people's terms

Realistically, their limited appreciation for peace should not be interpreted to the extent that they undervalue the country’s hard-earned peace. Yet, they seek a distinctive kind of peace that transcends the nation’s superficial peace. They believe the so-called peace boasted about by the government has not significantly enhanced their quality of life.

What they often see is that the elite exploit peace to further their interests rather than empowering individuals and promoting shared prosperity, justice, and equality.

At times, the government's promotion of peace can be awkward and overly proud, failing to align with reality by overemphasizing the term "peace." Rather than creating an enabling environment where all can appreciate peace, this approach may be misunderstood and a source of ridicule.

The establishment has a stake in being blamed for its effort to suggest peace is exclusive to the powerful. It fails to show that peace is a value everyone should appreciate.

There is instinctive resistance to the notion that peace can exist only under one group's control. The narrative around peace has been manipulated, portraying themselves as the sole guarantors of stability while demonizing opponents and people who may have held opposing opinions.

In the name of peace, young people only witness a lack of genuine effort to resolve shortcomings. Instead, they see only attempts to marginalize others, which undermines collective spirit and unity.

Understandably, addressing development challenges is difficult, especially for poor countries facing complex political and economic issues. However, instead of accepting criticism, the government often reacts defensively.

Its fear of appearing incompetent leads to a pattern of rejecting dissent and silencing critical voices but doing so creates more trouble for itself. As a result, maintaining humility, acknowledging accountability, and recognizing flaws are crucial. These actions can help create a new image that earns public trust and encourages people to understand their role in national development.                                                            

Beyond the issue of peace, the claim that the call for a change in leadership stems from various essential reasons related to extreme ideology is not wholly accurate.

There are underlying reasons, encompassing socio-economic issues that persistently impact livelihoods despite the negative peace and absence of war and conflict.

Current distrust and calls for leadership change reflect past generations' neglect of social justice, corruption, and human rights abuses — all of which contribute to a further decline in confidence in the state.

Additionally, the government's sluggishness in implementing fundamental reforms and addressing the underlying issues adds to the intricacy of achieving complete peace further amid a fast-changing and complex international context.

Over the past two decades, although there has been rapid growth with an average rate of 6.91 percent from 1994 until 2023, wealth distribution among Cambodians remains inequitable.

This progress fails to enhance well-being or promote democratic freedoms and the rule of law, essential components of a democratic society.

Instead, many individuals see a widening wealth gap, highlighting the disparity between those who possess greater opportunities and privileges to accumulate wealth and those who face marginalization.

Concurrently, corruption, lack of accountability, and persistent limitations on civic and political engagement only discourage people from being confident in their own government. Political restriction also cultivates a culture of intolerance toward differing viewpoints.

This environment stifles authentic dialogue and debate, hindering people's tolerance and rationality in various contexts, all of which are crucial for better social coherence and unity.

The encouraging news is that the government commits to acknowledging young people, understanding their crucial role in achieving a sustainable future, as delivered during a UN Global Call in September 2024.

Prime Minister Hun Manet highlighted the importance of empowering and listening to youth, stressing that increased respect for human rights is vital. Nonetheless, it's uncertain how this initiative will be effective without substantial actions being taken.

The demographic shift toward a greater proportion of younger generations necessitates increased government attention. Neglecting it would be too costly. Not only are they different from their older generations or parents, but they also possess new ways of seeing and dealing with the world.

The future of a sustainable Cambodia, marked by lasting peace and stability, won’t depend on public appreciation for the current peace narrative. It will hinge on transparency and genuine effort from the state. Only then can peace become a shared value that delivers real, tangible benefits to all.