The National Economics White Paper Forum is the inaugural policy competition in Uzbekistan, designed to bring together 100 distinguished school and university students with a strong interest in economics, finance, and law. Hosted by the Young Economists Society of Uzbekistan at New Uzbekistan University, the forum provides a unique platform for students to engage in rigorous policy research and produce professional-level white papers that address real economic challenges facing the country.
The vision of the forum is to cultivate a new generation of young economists who can meaningfully contribute to Uzbekistan’s economic development. By combining high-level research with practical policy application, the forum aims to bridge the gap between academic study and real-world economic decision-making. It offers participants the opportunity to engage directly with the country’s leading economic institutions and to see their ideas considered at the national level.
The primary goals of the forum are to develop participants’ analytical and policy-making skills, encourage collaboration among talented students from different schools and universities, and create a pathway for young economists to connect with research centers, government ministries, and other influential economic organizations. Through this process, students gain experience in formulating evidence-based policy proposals, receive guidance from experts, and develop professional documentation suitable for university applications, internships, and future career opportunities.
Participation in the forum provides substantial career and academic benefits. Students enhance their curricula vitae with concrete experience in policy research, which is highly valued by top universities and graduate programs worldwide. Their white papers demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and a capacity to address complex economic issues, all of which strengthen applications for scholarships, internships, and professional positions. Moreover, participants gain exposure to government officials, leading economists, and research institutions, creating valuable professional connections that can support long-term career development. Each participant receives an official certificate verifying their engagement and the practical experience gained, signaling both academic rigor and professional readiness to admissions officers and employers.
Overall, the National Economics White Paper Forum represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young economists to develop research skills, contribute to national policy discussions, and build a foundation for future academic and professional success.
iyul 24, 2026 / 18:00
YESU Friday Talks · Episode 5 with Dilnovoz Abdurazzakova
How to Do Impactful Research: Insights from J-PALAs a Research Fellow at J-PAL Europe, Dilnovoz Abdurazzakova works on research that helps governments and organizations make better, evidence-based decisions. This Friday, she’ll share what it takes to conduct research with real-world impact and what students should know if they’re considering a career in applied research. → What makes research relevant for policy and society→ How J-PAL uses evidence to evaluate and improve public programs→ What it’s like to work as a Research Fellow at J-PAL Europe→ How students can prepare for careers in research and impact evaluationThis talk will be in English.Join us if you’re interested in research, economics, public policy, development, and evidence-based decision-making.Date: Friday, July 24Time: 6:00 PM TashkentLocation: New Uzbekistan University campus
iyul 17, 2026 / 18:00
YESU Friday Talks · Episode 4 with Ivan Reshetnikov
20 Years of Sociology: What We’ve Learned About SocietyFor more than two decades, Ivan Reshetnikov has explored these questions through sociological research. This Friday, he’ll share the key lessons, surprising insights, and enduring questions that have emerged from 20 years in the field.→ What sociology reveals that we often miss in everyday life→ How social norms are created, maintained, and transformed→ Why understanding society requires looking beyond the numbers→ What two decades of research have taught us about people, institutions, and social changeThis talk will be in Russian. Join us if you’re interested in sociology, social research, human behavior, and understanding the forces that shape our world.Date: Friday, July 17thTime: 6:00 PM TashkentLocation: New Uzbekistan University campus
iyul 10, 2026 / 18:00
YESU Friday Talks · Episode 3 with Munisa Djumanova
YESU Friday Talks · Episode 3 with Munisa DjumanovaFrom Tashkent to PhD at MIT: Building a Path into Research Munisa Djumanova started where many of you are now, at a university in Uzbekistan. She went on to Westminster International University in Tashkent, then to Johns Hopkins, and this fall she begins her PhD in Political Science at MIT, one of the strongest programs in the world. Along the way, she wrote a research paper that went on to win an award.On Friday, she's joining us to talk about how that path actually gets built, and the parts nobody explains until you're in it: → How to choose an advisor, and why it matters more than you think→ The hidden pitfalls in graduate admissions that trip people up→ What an RAship actually involves, and how to land one→ The research paper that earned her recognition, and what she learned writing it And what she'd tell anyone here weighing grad school, research, or a career in economics.This talk will be in Uzbek.Join us this Friday if you're interested in graduate school applications, funding, research life, and studying abroad. Date: Friday, July 10th Time: 5:00 PM Tashkent Location: New Uzbekistan University campus