Name: The 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan
Theme: "Nature's Wisdom"
Site: Seto City, Nagakute Town, Toyota City,
in Aichi Prefecture, Japan
Period: March 25 to September 25, 2005
Projected number of visitors: 15 million
Official Website: http://www.expo2005.or.jp

Nature - the source of all life - has provided humankind with sustenance from the very beginning. Over time, Nature has provided humanity with a means to grow and develop into complex societies based on this very fundamental relationship.

A vast network of knowledge and wisdom has evolved from this basic relationship between humans and nature. Nature's wisdom, her mysteries, her awe inspiring beauty and power, have been unlocked by inquiring minds and scientific processes. Humans have become masters of this knowledge and have developed incredible technologies to harness energy and other resources.

In an increasingly overcrowded world it is sometimes hard to focus beyond everyday life and onto the long term effects of our technological progress. Concrete jungles bear no resemblance to the fragile beauty of the forest. Surely then, we must be reminded of the true wisdom found in a sustainable relationship with nature. After all, we are in a world witnessing an increasing amount of media coverage of international debates concerned about damage to the environment. It is commonly accepted that as far as the environment is concerned, it is a time to rethink our relationship with nature before it is too late.

Model Community

Sustainable development is what the Eco-communities project at Expo 2005 is all about. The Eco-communities project has been envisioned to reuse energy and to reduce and make use of existing waste. As well, the entire Expo 2005 site - expected to host 25 million people over a six month period - has been designed with the conservation of nature and the local environment as the top priority.

Finding answers for today's world must be done in the context of technology. Thus, the concept of eco-communities was developed. Yet, an understanding of the socio-historical context is just as important in today's richly multi-cultural world of economically diverse states and unions. And so the "Art of Life" Expo 2005 sub-theme was envisioned to be a model of human participation on a global scale.