Expo 2000 In Hanover
A New World Arising

By M. R. Josse

SINCE June 1, Germany has been hosting Expo 2000 in the lower Saxony capital of Hanover. It has attracted more than 2000 countries, Nepal included, and international organisations—a record number as far as participation figures go.

HUMANKIND, NATURE, TECH-NOLOGY: Politically—as chancellor Gerhard Schroder stated in Deutschland (April/May 2000 issue)— Expo 2000 provides Germany the opportunity to present itself as "cosmopolitan and tolerant, as a modern country that is working with great commitment on overcoming local and global challenges."

That is no doubt why the German Pavilion, built almost entirely of glass, has been structured to present itself as ‘self-assured, cheerful, attentive reflecting the welcoming motto: Einblick, Durchblick, Ausblick (Insight, Understanding, Outlook).

Expo 2000 has been billed as unique not merely because it’s the first in the new millennium. It is also the very first time that all participants have focused on one common theme—in this case, Humankind-Nature—Technology: A New World Arising.

As has been officially explained, that is entirely appropriate since people around the world are today witnesses of, and participants to, a global technological revolution that is rapidly taking hold of all areas of life and changing the way we live together on our planet.

Apart from a single over-arching focus, Expo 2000 is also taking place in 770 projects around the world which provide local and practical answers to questions that occupy people the world over. These ideas are presented in the 100,000 square metres of space allocated to the Thematic Area of the world exposition.

One concept that is paramount in or underlines the Humankind Nature-Technology triangular linkage addressed at Expo 2000 is that of sustainable development contained in Agenda 21, or the action programme for the 21st century agreed in 1992 at the environment summit in Rio de Janiero.

EQUILIBRIUM WITH NATURE: It is for that reason that Expo 2000, one is informed, does not aim to merely showcase technological achievement but equally to demonstrate how humankind can use technology to discover a new equilibrium with nature.

Expo Commissioner General Bigit Breuel thus explains how the sustainable development concept finds concrete expression at the Hanover exposition. (Deutschland, April/May 2000).

"First of all, it is quite significant that we shall not be leaving behind a single ruin…Secondly, approximately 70 per cent of visitors will arrive by public transport, that is also remar-kable…Thirdly, for example, the Dual System…has built an entirely new recy-cling plant nearby.

"We have also the very latest waste disposal systems and many other features of this kind. And we mustn’t forget the Projects around the World—sustainability was the decisive criteria in the selection process."

Interestingly, the political dimension to Expo 2000 is not concealed. Questioned of whether Expo 2000 would help to "break down clinches about Germany", Breuel has this insight to offer.

"I would think so. When we started inviting the different nations, we discovered that there was a lot of respect for Germany, but also apprehension about the country after it has become larger.

"If we are able to demonstrate at Expo 2000 that we are loyal, if also European partners, then that represents a chance to improve Germany’s image. We
are hosts to the whole world and that entails an openness towards other cultures."

NEW WORLD ARISING: The Thematic Area involves eleven exhibitions on the following subjects: humankind, environment, basic needs, nutrition, energy, health knowledge, work, mobility, planet of visions, and the 21st century.

"Humankind" tackles the contra-diction inherent in that while the 20th century came up with more evidence that all men are biologically equal, religious, social and economic differences sparked some of the cruellest wars, hatred and fanaticism.

"Environment" underlines human-kind’s responsibility for its preservation. "Basic Needs" looks at what man really needs to survive—biologically, culturally and even spiritually.

"Nutrition" addresses the question of whether the world’s population will be able to feed itself in the future.

"Energy" draws visitors’ attention to the options of using energy in efficient and economical ways, not forgetting that, since 1950, global energy consumption has guadrupled.

"Health" focusses on such new challenges: infectious diseases are increasing, in the industrialised countries diseases caused by contemporary lifestyles are multiplying, while in many developing countries AIDS has drama-tically reduced life expectancy.

"Knowledge" equals information plus communication. Yet, while that applies to the Internet community, huge areas of the world are isolated from that exciting world. Quo vadis, the global village?

"Work" is undergoing change with the traditional work-based society turning into a new activity-based one. Questions examined: Which new occupations will arise, which will fold, what will happen to the unemployed?

"Mobility" looks at how the world on the move can be organised in a way that is safe, rational and ecologically responsible.

"Planet of vision’ takes in population growth, environmental destruction, social change and urbanisation while "21st century" presents dynamic scenarios of urban life in the future.

In short: Those visiting Hanover before November 2000 must consider themselves lucky to have such an excellent overview of the exciting and challenging "new world arising". Hopefully, that will include a number of Nepalese planners and thinkers.

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