Three countries and three Expos to tackle three of the most important themes of our time. At the dawn of the 21st century, the international community will come together at least on these occasions to reflect upon its journey to where we are today and to consider our prospects for the future.
Mega events with a distinguished history, a record of numerous world-class legacies, and an unparalleled power of attraction, World Exhibitions—or Expos as they have come to be known—are among the world’s grandest and most splendid landmarks of human achievement and aspirations at a given moment in history.
Mega events with a distinguished history, a record of numerous world-class legacies, and an unparalleled power of attraction, World Exhibitions—or Expos as they have come to be known—are among the world’s grandest and most splendid landmarks of human achievement and aspirations at a given moment in history.
Expos draw their strength from a global participation of states, international organizations, corporations, and civil society groups, combined with the enthusiasm of the millions of visitors they have been known to welcome.
However, with such diverse participants and actors involved—across sectors and across national borders—there must be a core unifying force, a common cause, to keep the sometimes divergent forces intact and in harmony. And this is what the theme is to an Expo.
However, with such diverse participants and actors involved—across sectors and across national borders—there must be a core unifying force, a common cause, to keep the sometimes divergent forces intact and in harmony. And this is what the theme is to an Expo.
The theme—and the common belief by the participants in its importance— is the backbone of the Expo project that unites all the actors in collaboration for a successful Expo, capable of attracting a large audience.
From their origins as international gatherings of states showcasing industrial prowess and technological innovation, Expos have since evolved to today act as platforms for the international community to debate, probe, share best practices, and explore new solutions for the challenges our planet faces.
Recent Expos in particular have served as the visualization of the international concerns around global themes and have demonstrated clear links: EXPO Hannover 2000 (Germany) with the Agenda 21 of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro; EXPO Aichi 2005 (Japan) with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force that same year, for example. As global forums that are educational, entertaining, and accessible to the masses—whose cooperation is indispensable for the successful daily implementation of internationally agreed goals— Expos have proved themselves important tools of public diplomacy.
But for an Expo to have this intended impact, it must have a theme that resonates among its participants and the public— at the highest international level as well as at the level of the ordinary citizen. How much an Expo can unite all its actors depends, then, on the quality of the theme. This is why selecting a powerful theme is key to the success of an Expo.
This is why “the theme makes the Expo.”
From their origins as international gatherings of states showcasing industrial prowess and technological innovation, Expos have since evolved to today act as platforms for the international community to debate, probe, share best practices, and explore new solutions for the challenges our planet faces.
Recent Expos in particular have served as the visualization of the international concerns around global themes and have demonstrated clear links: EXPO Hannover 2000 (Germany) with the Agenda 21 of the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro; EXPO Aichi 2005 (Japan) with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Kyoto Protocol, which entered into force that same year, for example. As global forums that are educational, entertaining, and accessible to the masses—whose cooperation is indispensable for the successful daily implementation of internationally agreed goals— Expos have proved themselves important tools of public diplomacy.
But for an Expo to have this intended impact, it must have a theme that resonates among its participants and the public— at the highest international level as well as at the level of the ordinary citizen. How much an Expo can unite all its actors depends, then, on the quality of the theme. This is why selecting a powerful theme is key to the success of an Expo.
This is why “the theme makes the Expo.”
