What’s new in the World; World Expo
The thing that draws so much attention to the world expo is its incredibly creative nature and the hard work that ambassadors from all over Kentucky put into it. From deep investigative research to arts and crafts, months of work goes into the displays at the fair. For example, take Australia — this exposition was focused around the contrast between the perception and reality of Australia’s climate and reef changes. On one side of the table, there was a colorful display of a tourist’s vision of Australia; on the other, less fortunate side of things. “We all know about the devastating wildfires, which just happened, and unfortunately are still happening,” says Mackenzie Dabbelt from Holy Cross. “But what’s also happening is the coral reef is being bleached.” On the other side of the world, Belgium, famous for waffles and diamonds, is only a third the size of Kentucky, yet has a population of 11.4 million. This density contributes to the “struggle with pollution… because of all the people, and the people in the cities,” says Aidan Stewart from Walter-Verona.
Meanwhile, in Thailand, citizens are facing some of the same issues as Australia, primarily coral reef deprivation. This country’s resolution focuses on the interest of the natural surroundings of its Coral coastlines and what the government can do to protect it, by implementing a tax on non-coral reef afae sunscreens. “Thailand exports lots of tropical fruits, like papayas and coconuts,” says Abby Peake from Woodford County High School. Their expo also featured two Buddha statues. Taiwan is facing some slightly different issues, still struggling from internal political issues and the split from China after WWII. On a lighter note, see this fun fact from Courtney Rolling from Walter-Verona: “Garbage trucks play Beethoven music, and you just go up to them sort of like ice cream trucks.”
During World Expo, ambassadors have the opportunity to learn about many countries that they have never researched or seen, and interact minimally with their cultures or current social/political climates. As the future national and international leaders of Kentucky, America, and maybe even diplomats of the World, this time of learning and interaction is vital to our KUNA memories.
