Shanghai World Expo

The countdown to the Shanghai World Expo has begun. The endeavor expects to attract more people than any of the other 150 world expositions: 70 million. Event organizers project about 200 countries to participate in this six month showcase of ways to tackle urban living in the future, with the theme “Better City, Better Life.”

Photo from: http://shanghaiist.com/attachments/overtb/US%20Pavilion

My China travels will take me to the transformed streets on either side of the Huangpu River to the well-anticipated expo, and I hope to see that the U.S. and other major economical players have big plans in store for urbanization. Environment, culture, space, and finances will serve as major factors for both developed and developing nations as nearly half of the world’s population has migrated toward city living. With China on the fast track to full development, its government has made this expo an open forum for conversation between nations to build healthy and peaceful connections benefitting all populations.

Media attention seems to have pivoted far away from these seemingly genuine goals, and understandably so as Congress plays tug-of-war with health care reform and Haiti and Chile are in states of complete crisis.

Lack of funding has meanwhile made the U.S. question whether they could even build a pavilion, one of many different structures contributed from other participating countries. Highlighted sneak peaks feature futuristic architecture reflecting the contributor’s pride and innovation, but the U.S. has chosen a more modest approach on the outside. However, they promise a “multi-dimensional, hi-tech experience,” and organizers Nick Winslow and Ellen Eliasoph have previous experience with expos and theme parks.

Their theme titled “Rising to the Challenge” is fitting; U.S. laws prevent appropriated funds from supporting a national pavilion, so they had to raise money on their own. Major U.S. corporations, including Boeing, Wal-Mart, American Airlines, and General Electric donated $50 million as of February to construct a USA pavilion.

This World’s Fair of sorts is worth giving some attention, especially for Truman students, many of whom will become ambassadors for business relationships with China. A flight across the world isn’t necessary to keep updated about the Expo because a visit to their site brings tons of news articles and information. Spending some quality time with a Chinese professor on campus can also point to other opportunities on how to participate.