Meet My Country: Uzbekistan, With Dilfuza Kurolova and Dr. Farkhod Tolipov

Human rights lawyer Dilfuza Kurolova and political scientist Dr. Farkhod Tolipov talk about their homeland Uzbekistan – the land locked and most populous country of Central Asia. After two decades of economic and political isolation under the former President Islom Karimov, there are hopes that the current president will bring the much needed change to the former Soviet country. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is more reform-orientated, more democratic and more liberal than his predecessor, and there has been a shift towards a more liberal life, though only a very slight one, and there is much to do to create a democratic system in Uzbekistan, as our speakers point out.4:12 Background information on Uzbekistan6:30 Dilfuza and Dr. Tolipov’s views on Uzbekistan, and where it stands today 21:20 The cotton industry26:57 Uzbekistan’s involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and reactions from Russia34:47 Dilfuza and Dr. Tolipov’s recommendations for places to visit and food to tryYour host: Denise Staubli, Program Manager, Asia Society Switzerland Moderator: Simona Grano, Senior Lecturer and Director of the Taiwan Studies Project at the University of Zurich (UZH) Speakers: Dilfuza Kurolova, human rights lawyer and founding-curator of the Global Shapers Tashkent HubDr. Farkhod Tolipov, Director of the non-governmental Research Institution “Bilim Karvoni” (“Caravan of Knowledge”) Production: Denise StaubliShow NotesGreen dumplings –in season in Spring/SummerWatermelons –  very big and tasty in the SummerPlov – National dish of UzbekistanKhiva – Ancient city in Xorazm Region, UzbekistanThe capital city Tashkent with its big bazaars and the famous Tashkent metro (featuring very beautiful tunnels and stations). Most stunning station: “Cosmos” stationNew Silk Roads by Peter FrankopanPublications by Dr. Farkhod TolipovAsia Society Switzerland webcast A Closer Look at Uzbekistan with Dilfuza Kurolova and Dr. Farkhod Tolipov, May 20, 2021