* Following the death of Iranian girl Mahsa Amini, tens of thousands of Iranians came out into the streets and many continue to do so to this day, despite the regime’s violent, sometimes deadly crackdowns and threats of arrest. A report by the Middle East Institute highlights that while protests in Iran are not new, this current wave has been characterized by a prominent role played by the country’s Generation Z, also known as Zoomers. The report indicates that Iranian Zoomers have been generally indifferent to politics, religion, customs, and traditions, like many others their age around the world. Unlike previous generations in Iran, they tend not to worry about being judged and will openly speak about their interests or dislikes, even if it loudly crosses the ruling system’s traditional red lines. The report adds that while Iranian Zoomers make up a relatively small proportion of the country's population, they are extremely skeptical and are “digital natives.” Iran’s Zoomers have had greater access to information and the outside world. Their active presence on and access to online social media has given them better analytical skills, a platform to voice their concerns, and the courage to speak out.

* The National Interest Magazine reported on the protests in Iran, noting that the youth there can continue to demonstrate until the success of their revolution and their uprising against the regime. According to an article by Jawad Hirannia, the protests that swept Iran after the murder of Mahsa Amini spread to more than 85 cities, large and small. Unlike the protests of 2009, in which Iranians contested the legitimacy of their elections, or of 2017 and 2019, which were based on economic issues and were organized mainly by the poor, the current unrest is more widespread, and anger has gathered various segments of society. He added, " during last month's protests, social and political issues converged, what started as anger against the mandatory headscarf has evolved into criticism against the ruling regime." Why do Iranian youth today so boldly and valiantly object and avoid conservatism like those Iranians who preceded them? Journalist Shahindokht Kharazmi was quoted as saying: "this generation grew up in the era of sustainable awareness and learned how to deal with its demands. This generation is ready to play until it wins. This new generation did not play any role in the current system, it is only a victim." 

* Sudanese youth drove the demonstrations that toppled former president Omar al-Bashir’s regime. They were instrumental in mobilizing a social movement urging the military to eventually step in to remove al-Bashir from power in 2019. However - two and a half years later, the military staged another coup following a fragile transitional period. As a response to the coup, Sudanese youth continue to organize almost weekly demonstrations and protests rejecting military rule while the one-year coup anniversary fast approaches. Despite being the major driving force behind calls for a free, democratic and prosperous Sudan, youth are largely excluded from avenues and platforms to implement transitional outcomes, with reports calling youth in Sudan “instrumentalized but not trusted to lead.”

* In Jordan, a youth conference entitled “Youth and Political Empowerment between Opportunities and Challenges” was held in the Jarash Youth Hall. During the conference, the Director of Jerash Youth Directorate, Yahya al-Momani, said that organizing this conference aims to activate the role of youth in decision-making so that they do not remain spectators of what is happening around them. The sponsor of the conference, the Minister of Youth, spoke that there will be a new plan for youth, awaiting approval by the Council of Ministers. He added that there is a program that gives young people the opportunity to visit the ministry and learn about its work and activate the role of young people to participate in the elections.