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The Gen Z-led protests in Nepal in September 2025 represented a pivotal moment in the nation's political development, contesting established party dominance and underscoring generational dissatisfaction with governmental ineptitude and corruption. This article examines the institutional ramifications for Nepal's party system. This paper examines, via the lens of party system theory, contentious politics, and political generation theory, whether the mobilisation of Gen Z indicates the obsolescence of conventional political parties or a recalibration of party politics in Nepal. The study contends that, through the examination of protest-party dynamics, party reactions, media narratives, and ensuing political events—such as changes in executive leadership and interim governance negotiations—Gen Z protests significantly disrupted political norms and undermined party legitimacy yet did not render traditional parties obsolete. The protests prompted political realignment and forced parties to address youth demands. The paper asserts that the sustainability of Nepal's democratic transition, peace, and inclusive development hinges on the reciprocal flexibility of youth activism and political institutions.

The concept of humanitarian aid (HA) has gained renewed prominence in light of contemporary armed conflicts, including the ongoing hostilities between Israel and Palestine. Humanitarian aid refers to assistance provided to victims to relieve suffering during emergency situations and is conceptually and legally distinct from development aid aimed at long-term socio-economic objectives. This paper examines the legality of the provision of humanitarian aid under International Humanitarian Law (IHL), with particular focus on whether the denial or deliberate obstruction of humanitarian assistance constitutes a war crime. Using Sri Lanka’s experience during the final phase of the non-international armed conflict in 2009 as a case study, the study adopts a doctrinal legal research methodology based on a comprehensive review of international treaties, customary international law, government reports, and relevant resolutions of international bodies. The analysis demonstrates that parties to both international armed conflicts and non-international armed conflicts are legally bound under treaty and customary IHL to allow and facilitate unimpeded access to impartial humanitarian assistance. The paper concludes that Sri Lanka’s approach to the provision of humanitarian aid during the final phase of the conflict reflects substantial compliance with core IHL principles and is broadly consistent with established humanitarian jurisprudence.

Almost all Indonesian peace policies in Papua—ranging from Special Autonomy and regional expansion to accelerated development and security operations—have failed to produce sustainable peace. This article argues that the persistent dominance of a security-centered approach has reproduced cycles of political violence, while non-violent alternatives, such as a humanitarian pause and dialogue with Papuan political representatives, have been systematically marginalized. Drawing on peacebuilding and conflict transformation perspectives, the article examines the escalation of violence in Papua since 2018 and its humanitarian consequences for indigenous Papuans. It contends that a humanitarian pause is essential to address civilian suffering and displacement, and that a Jakarta–Papua dialogue is necessary to negotiate a legitimate and inclusive framework for Papua’s political future within Indonesia. The article concludes by highlighting dialogue-based peacebuilding as a critical policy alternative for resolving one of the most protracted conflicts in the Asia–Pacific region.

Generation Z, defined as individuals born between 1997 and 2012, has matured in a highly digital and interconnected environment, encountering global crises, economic instability, and socio-political turbulence. This paper examines how the Buddha's concept of impermanence (Anicca) may inform the ways contemporary youth navigate change, political activism, and uncertainty. The analysis examines the global impact of Generation Z on social movements, with a particular focus on Nepal, the birthplace of the Buddha, where digital activism, protests, and political upheavals exemplify the transience of social and political systems. An understanding of impermanence may enable Generation Z to cultivate greater awareness, alleviate suffering, and promote sustainable social transformation.

Religion has played a significant role in shaping human nature at both individual and societal levels, exerting positive as well as negative influences on human civilization and global existence. Historically, religious movements have demonstrated the capacity to both originate and sustain conflict as well as foster peace within societies and nations. However, change is also intrinsic to religion, and contemporary religious movements have undergone significant transformation from traditional and modernized perspectives, increasingly functioning as agents for the cultivation of inner and outer peace. Accordingly, this qualitative study evaluates the utility of contemporary religious movements in peace-making and peacekeeping through a contextual and thematic analysis approach. While traditional religious movements initially emerged with humanistic orientations, they have often negatively affected peace and harmony by contributing to racism, identity-based divisions, and extremism across religious contexts. In contrast, contemporary religion has gradually withdrawn from its traditional exclusivist utility and now operates as a mediator that enriches individual and social well-being through a shared value system oriented toward secular living. Contemporary religion emphasizes common ethical principles and shared faith beyond rigid boundaries, enabling individuals to engage across religious traditions and pursue spirituality through inclusive religious practices. As a result, religion-driven conflicts have diminished in contemporary expressions, and present religious engagement contributes meaningfully to the development of both inner and outer peace, strengthening peace-making and peacekeeping efforts within today’s globalized community.

In addressing the persistent challenges of contemporary conflicts, this study critically examines ancient Buddhist teachings, exploring their timeless wisdom in conflict resolution and their relevance to humanitarian aid delivery and disaster response. Drawing on foundational scriptures, it endeavours to shed light on the fundamental causes of conflict as understood in Buddhist philosophy, and to discern their practical applications in modern conflict-resolution efforts. Through meticulous analysis of Buddhist texts such as the Majjhima Nikāya and the Dhammapada, the research identifies key conflict-related terminology and principles. Comparative assessments with modern conflict theories reveal striking alignments. Historical and contemporary case studies substantiate the effectiveness of Buddhist conflict resolution methods. Additionally, the role of mindfulness practices in emotional regulation, empathy cultivation, and crisis resilience is explored. This research aims to uncover profound insights in Buddhist teachings and evaluate their relevance to contemporary conflict resolution and peace-building contexts. Specific objectives include delineating conflict-related terminology, analysing ancient methods, and offering practical strategies for seamless integration into current conflict-resolution frameworks used by humanitarian and disaster-response actors. Buddhist teachings illuminate the origins of conflicts in unwholesome mental states and advocate ethical conduct through the Five Precepts. Mindfulness practices emerge as invaluable tools in emotional regulation and trauma-sensitive engagement. Comparative analyses reveal shared principles with modern approaches, emphasising empathy, active listening, and collaborative problem-solving. This study underscores the enduring relevance of Buddhist teachings in conflict resolution and humanitarian practice. By integrating these ancient insights into contemporary frameworks, practitioners can significantly enhance dialogue, crisis response, and peaceful negotiations. Cultural adaptation and ethical considerations are paramount. Strengthening the bridge between ancient wisdom and modern practices, this research lays the foundation for transformative cross-cultural conflict-resolution methodologies that foster a harmonious global society. Ultimately, this study contributes to humanitarian aid and disaster response by demonstrating how Buddhist principles of conflict resolution can be ethically integrated into modern peacebuilding frameworks.