The Lost Generation 2020–2021: Action Plans in the New Normal in EU and ASEAN

The ‘lost generation’ in the post-World War context was defined as an ‘unfulfilled generation coming to maturity during a period of instability’ and this definition can be applied to the generation of children who are now entering the post-pandemic scenario. Although the circumstances in the post-World War and COVID-19 are different, it argues that post-COVID complication fits the historical context of a lost generation. This chapter utilizes UNICEF’s five pillars of children's well-being which include (1) survive and thrive; (2) learning; (3) protection; (4) environment; and (5) a fair chance to explore the ‘lost generation’ concept. It then focuses on the three most relatable measurements namely, children’s learning process, exposure to domestic violence and abuse, as well as a fair chance for children to succeed in pursuing their ambition. The analysis in the chapter will follow the segmentation of children’s demography according to the UNICEF Report, produced in 2020 and 2021. It will explain the striking data from both regions and the implications of those data to both the EU and ASEAN. Subsequently, it will provide a comparative analysis of EU and ASEAN’s regional response to the new normal.