Expo 2020 Dubai is participating in the International Government Communication Forum
(IGCF 2019) with the ‘50 Years of Expo’ exhibition, which encapsulates UAE’s engagement with world Expos since the 1970s up until now.
A historical journey through images, many of which are on public display for the first time, is offering an insight into Late Sheikh Zayed’s vision at the very outset, with an audio clip reflecting the merits of the fundamentals of human connection that are based on good morals and reputation in the UAE.
The exhibition also houses quotes from the Father of the Nation, highlighting the role of women’s participation in international events like World Expos, with a strong focus on ‘youth employment’, which is a key message of World Expo 2020 Dubai.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Fatma Rashid, Project Manager, Special Projects Expo 2020, Bureau said, “We are excited to be at this prestigious event and represent Expo 2020 Dubai. Our pavilion here tells the story of the UAE’s extensive history of participation in World Expos, in the lead up to the Expo 2020 Dubai. We wanted to take our visitors on a journey that begins with the emirate of Abu Dhabi’s participation in the Osaka World Expo in 1970 and records the memorable day when Dubai won the title to host Expo 2020.”
Fatma Rashid personally takes exhibition visitors on guided tours, recounting experiences of Abu Dhabi when the emirate was first invited to participate in Osaka in Japan due to the late leader Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s fond relationship with the east-Asian nation. In a tour full of interesting anecdotes, she reveals that it was former UAE foreign minister Rashid Abdullah Al Nuaimi’s personal initiative to sell Arabic coffee to attract more visitors to the stand that made the UAE pavilion an instant hit in Osaka.
The exhibition showcases miniature UAE pavilion replicas from their 1970 participation in Japan and 1992 in Spain, inspired by the Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain to show the world the nation’s strong history displaying its fortitude. The stand also sheds light on the subsequent Expo participations, in Expo Hanover 2000, Expo Shanghai 2010 and Expo 2015 in Milan.
The journey ends with the milestone moment in 2013, when the UAE won the bid to host Expo 2020.
Throughout the forum, interactive sessions will also be hosted at this stand, along with two workshops. The first one called, ‘Expo Live’, will hold discussions to harness the convening power of a world Expo, accelerating creative solutions that improve lives while preserving the world. The second workshop is geared towards generating awareness about World Expo 2020, encouraging public, from all walks of life, different age groups, gender and even people of determination, to join the mega event through online registrations and other available platforms to help deliver a successful Expo 2020.
Organised by the International Government Communication Centre of Sharjah Government Media Bureau, IGCF 2019, is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohamed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The two-day event at Sharjah Expo Centre runs under the theme ‘Behavioural Change Towards Human Development’. The event brings prominent figures, top officials, international communication experts from around the world, to discuss benefits of government communication in fostering relationship between citizens and government entities
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