Navigating Futures: How Aspirations Serve As Resistance in a Normalised Conflict

Young people in Mindanao, Southern Philippines, are caught in the crossfire of a protracted conflict lasting over four decades. They navigate a landscape marked by violence and economic inequality. Growing up in conflict, killings and gunshots become normalised. How does this conflict shape young people’s futures? This paper examines how these experiences influence their aspirations and futures, emphasising their persistent efforts to resist exclusions.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Mindanao youth express hopes for peace and development through active engagement in civic and political life. They lead youth organizations, participate in local councils, and pursue education, demonstrating their commitment to shaping a better future for Mindanao and its peoples. These actions reflect their agency and challenge dominant narratives.

Building on the concept of everyday resistance (Johansson and Vinthagen 2019), this study suggests that aspirations function as micro-political acts that challenge existing power structures. By engaging in civic initiatives and political roles, young people in Mindanao are actively working for peace and social justice, navigating complex environments.

This research underscores the importance of recognising these aspirations as essential contributions to peacebuilding. Their everyday resistance, rooted in a desire for a better future, challenges normalised conflict and highlights the transformative role of youth as political actors within their communities.