By Anna Aleman

The world’s oldest and largest mega event, the World Expo, will be hosted for the first time in the Middle East. El Paso is one of 28 cities across the United States invited to submit an application to reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. and its culture across various disciplines.

Anna Aleman

Expo Dubai United Arab Emirates is scheduled for Oct. 1. 2021, through March 31, 2022. The participation of 192 countries is expected to draw 25 million visitors. The theme is “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future” through: 

  • Opportunity – unlocking the potential within individuals and communities to shape the future.
  • Mobility – creating smarter and more productive movement of goods, people and ideas.
  • Sustainability – respecting and living in balance with the world we inhabit.

El Paso Council of International Visitors is one of 100 community-based member organizations of Global Ties U.S. 

Before COVID-19, hundreds of international visitors would come to El Paso through Global Ties and the U.S. State Department’s premier professional exchange program, the International Leadership Program. Current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience El Paso and learn from a border community facing uncertainties around water, rapid urban growth, immigration and health, among other issues. 

Expo 2020 Dubai will bring together some of the world’s greatest minds to discuss how we can shape the future and address fundamental challenges faced by humanity on a global scale. It offers many opportunities such as networking and promoting international relationships.

As one of Rockefeller Foundation’s 100 Resilient Cities, El Paso stands as a model in finding solutions to thrive through our unique approach to education, technology, the arts, security, health, economics and wellness. We are uniquely poised to share this with the world through Expo 2020 Dubai.

Throughout the six months of the Expo, the USA Pavilion will host a variety of cultural performers to showcase American diversity and innovation across disciplines, including cinema, art, technology, gaming, theater, dance, music, cooking, sports, and performance artists.

Expo coordinators strongly believe youth should play a key part in this mega event and get opportunities to observe, learn and contribute creative ideas so that they can develop innovative solutions for creating a better future for our region and the world. Therefore, people between the ages of 18 to 29 are invited to apply as youth ambassadors who will serve as guides for visitors to the USA Pavilion. Multilingual ability is preferred, but not required.

Want more information? Details about the program and FAQs can be found through the El Paso Council of International Visitors . People interested in the youth ambassador program can apply here. 

Anna Alemán serves on the board of Global Ties U.S. and El Paso Council of International Visitors.