A Closer Look

Laos, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Nepal, and Thailand

Monks at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar.

Monks at the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, Myanmar. / Photo: Remko Tanis

“A Closer Look” is a series by Asia Society Switzerland with the support of BDO and the Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies of the University of Zurich, shedding light on different Asian countries through the eyes of leading local voices. The new season is on its way now, and runs through Thursday, March 23, 2023. This time, we are focusing on Laos, South Korea, Solomon Islands, Nepal, and Thailand. Watch live, online, every other Thursday, from 12:00 - 13:00 CET. Register here.

BDO Logo
University of Zurich logo

 

Upcoming Episodes

Videos of Past Episodes

  • A Closer Look at Laos
    video

    Episode 11: A Closer Look at Laos

    Dive into Laos, one of Asia's ethnically most diverse countries, and one of its most unknown. Join filmmaker Mattie Do and journalist Manyphone Vongphachanh on a journey through what's happening in Southeast Asia's only landlocked country.
  • A Closer Look Mongolia
    video

    Episode 10: A Closer Look at Mongolia

    The tenth episode of "A Closer Look" takes us to the world's most sparsely populated country, Mongolia. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba and Byambajargal Ayushjav talk about nomadic traditions and modernity, education, and the civil society landscape.
  • A Closer Look Singapore
    video

    Episode 9: A Closer Look at Singapore

    In the ninth episode of "A Closer Look", we zoom in on Singapore. Kirsten Han and Yeo Lay Hwee share their perspectives on Singapore's successes and challenges, its human rights, the electoral system and the city-state's foreign relations.
  • A Closer Look Kyrgyzstan
    video

    Episode 8: A Closer Look at Kyrgyzstan

    The eighth episode of "A Closer Look" brings us to Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous country in Central Asia. Political analyst Dr. Emilbek Dzhuraev talks about the country's road to democracy, post-Soviet transitions, and foreign relations.
  • A Closer Look Philippines
    video

    Episode 7: A Closer Look at the Philippines

    In the seventh episode of "A Closer Look", we explore the Philippines. Mina Roces and Manuel L. Quezon III talk about the Filipino identity, gender roles, family dynasties, and the 2022 presidential elections.
  • A Closer Look Pakistan
    video

    Episode 6: A Closer Look at Pakistan

    The sixth episode of "A Closer Look" brings us to Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country. Saad Haroon and Yusra Askari discuss press freedom, the cultural scene, and domestic politics.
  • Bhutan
    video

    Episode 5: A Closer Look at Bhutan

    In the fifth episode, we explore Bhutan – the landlocked country located in the Eastern Himalayas. Journalist and Musician Supe discusses Bhutan's development path and the role of media.
  • Bangladesh
    video

    Episode 4: A Closer Look at Bangladesh

    The fourth episode brings us to one of the world’s most crowded countries: Bangladesh. Dr. Faraha Nawaz and Sara Hossain share their view of the country, and discuss the changing role of women in Bangladesh.
  • Brunei
    video

    Episode 3: A Closer Look at Brunei

    In our third episode of "A Closer Look" Iswandy Ahmad and agricultural entrepreneur Dr. Vanessa Teo share their view on Brunei, the monarchy, and discuss the government’s as well as entrepreneurial activities in the agricultural sector.
  • Uzbekistan
    video

    Episode 2: A Closer Look at Uzbekistan

    In the second episode of "A Closer Look" we’ll explore the landlocked and most populous country of Central Asia: Uzbekistan. Dilfuza Kurolova and Dr. Farkhod Tolipov will discuss the country's challenges and development of civil society.

In the Series

  • video

    Episode 1: A Closer Look at Sri Lanka

    The first episode of "A Closer Look" brings us to Sri Lanka – the island nation just off the southeastern coast of India. Bhavani Fonseka and Ambika Satkunanathan are talking about domestic politics and human right issues.
  • video

    Episode 2: A Closer Look at Uzbekistan

    In the second episode of "A Closer Look" we’ll explore the landlocked and most populous country of Central Asia: Uzbekistan. Dilfuza Kurolova and Dr. Farkhod Tolipov will discuss the country's challenges and development of civil society.
  • video

    Episode 3: A Closer Look at Brunei

    In our third episode of "A Closer Look" Iswandy Ahmad and agricultural entrepreneur Dr. Vanessa Teo share their view on Brunei, the monarchy, and discuss the government’s as well as entrepreneurial activities in the agricultural sector.
  • video

    Episode 4: A Closer Look at Bangladesh

    The fourth episode brings us to one of the world’s most crowded countries: Bangladesh. Dr. Faraha Nawaz and Sara Hossain share their view of the country, and discuss the changing role of women in Bangladesh.
  • video

    Episode 5: A Closer Look at Bhutan

    In the fifth episode, we explore Bhutan – the landlocked country located in the Eastern Himalayas. Journalist and Musician Supe discusses Bhutan's development path and the role of media.
  • video

    Episode 6: A Closer Look at Pakistan

    The sixth episode of "A Closer Look" brings us to Pakistan, the world’s fifth most populous country. Saad Haroon and Yusra Askari discuss press freedom, the cultural scene, and domestic politics.
  • video

    Episode 7: A Closer Look at the Philippines

    In the seventh episode of "A Closer Look", we explore the Philippines. Mina Roces and Manuel L. Quezon III talk about the Filipino identity, gender roles, family dynasties, and the 2022 presidential elections.
  • video

    Episode 8: A Closer Look at Kyrgyzstan

    The eighth episode of "A Closer Look" brings us to Kyrgyzstan, a mountainous country in Central Asia. Political analyst Dr. Emilbek Dzhuraev talks about the country's road to democracy, post-Soviet transitions, and foreign relations.
  • video

    Episode 9: A Closer Look at Singapore

    In the ninth episode of "A Closer Look", we zoom in on Singapore. Kirsten Han and Yeo Lay Hwee share their perspectives on Singapore's successes and challenges, its human rights, the electoral system and the city-state's foreign relations.
  • video

    Episode 10: A Closer Look at Mongolia

    The tenth episode of "A Closer Look" takes us to the world's most sparsely populated country, Mongolia. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba and Byambajargal Ayushjav talk about nomadic traditions and modernity, education, and the civil society landscape.