Since Water Expo 2008 first opened its gates in Zaragoza, Spain, 6 weeks ago on June 14, it is estimated that over 1.5 million visitors from around the world have gone to marvel, support, share and learn about our planet’s most vital natural resource. Visitors have included world leaders, experts in water, and interested people of all ages who have been offered somewhere between 50 to 90 events on water to attend daily. With its festival atmosphere, spectacular art and architecture, and inspiring message, the Expo is accomplishing its mission of bringing people together to raise awareness and innovate solutions for the challenges we all face regarding water and its sustainable development.
From the first day, the Expo has grabbed spectators' attention with its impressive and vast array of works of art. People have walked open mouthed as they crossed the ultra-modern, organic shape of the
Bridge Pavilionor ascended the near 280-foot tall
Water Towerto see "Splash", a 75-foot sculpture composed of 135 individual pieces suspended from above, formed to resemble a drop of water at the moment of impact.
Then there are the live performances. Everyday at noon, visitors strolling outside turn to gaze at the Awakening of the Snake, as it winds through the Expo’s avenues. This show, created by Canadian group Cirque du Soleil, was designed to represent water bringing life.
At night, the entertainment has spanned from firework displays on the inaugurating evening to concerts by individual artists like Bob Dylan and Alanis Morissette as well as ensemble performances by groups as diverse as an Italian opera; China’s Dance of the Dragon, which sweeps through the streets; an Afro contemporary show by Culturarte in which water is part of the dance; the Chiminigagua parade of dancers on stilts, whose choreography represent wild birds in the Colombian forests, the Hombre Vertiente show of acrobatics, water and light and the Orchestra and Choir of the City of Madrid to name a few.
Children too have been entertained. Interactive circus performances by D’Irque and Fien from Belgium, Década Prodigiosa’s famous "Disneymania" musical show and "El Último Árbol" ("The Last Tree") puppet show by EPSE Clown among many others have delighted young audiences. And then there's Fluvi, the Expo's iconic animated water creature, a blue, bulbous being who greets kids as they enter the gates and appears in videos and games throughout the Expo, teaching kids about water.
The Water Tribune
But aside from the art and fun, at the heart of the Expo is the desire and need to find solutions to problems related to water in order to improve conditions for individuals, regions, and the world.
At the Expo, this search for solutions is coming from two main areas. Experts in water and leaders who can effectuate change have come together as members of the Water Tribune, a forum to discuss problems, generate innovative thinking and share information, ideas and experiences, while focusing on the developing world.
And so that what comes from these discussions may benefit as many peoples and regions as possible, the World Bank and the
Global Development Learning Network (GDLN)have teamed with the Expo to broadcast these sessions to the five continents from the Virtual Pavilion. To view these videoconferences and the related written reports, please visit www.e-waterexpo.net.
Of the Water Tribune's 10 planned sessions regarding water and its sustainable development, the first 6 have already taken place. Each session, which lasted approximately 3 hours, entailed identifying problems that specific countries and/or regions are facing, offering both general and specific recommendations as related to the issues raised and sharing ideas, information and/or experiences that other regions may find beneficial. For example, during Session 2, in which participants discussed the problems that growing cities face regarding increased need for water, the research work UNESCO is currently conducting was raised. Referred to as the
"SWITCH" project, this research project is studying ways to create and implement sustainable integrated water management in cities for the future, with the idea that proven solutions will be adopted worldwide.
During Session 5, in which the importance of consumers playing a bigger role in demanding accountability from service providers was discussed, Kenya shared their experience of sending consumers surveys to collect their opinions on the service quality of providers. Based on the responses received, government officials modified their behavior, which in turn helped to change the perception citizens had of their ability to influence the improvement of services.
Solutions are also blossoming from participating countries, which are sharing their knowledge and experience through exhibits in their dedicated pavilions. The Swiss Pavilion, for example, is featuring
SODIS, a simple and low-cost way to disinfect drinking water by using solar radiation and temperature. This idea, developed by Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute for
Environmental Science and Technology, and Sandec, Eawag's Department of Water and Sanitation in Developing Countries,
entails filling transparent plastic bottles with contaminated water and leaving them in full sunlight for 6 hours. The solar UV-A radiation and heat act to destroy pathogens in the water, making it safe to drink. Ideal for small quantities, this is a practical measure people in regions that have no access to clean drinking water can do for themselves.
As Water Expo 2008 nears its halfway mark, it is clear that the principle message that has permeated through all the exhibits, shows and discussions is that water is life. It will be exciting to see what other solutions, innovations, ideas and recommendations will stream from the participants and visitors that can positively affect the present and future of the world.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to visit Water Expo 2008, in person or online, from June 14 to September 14, 2008.
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