Amy Pugsley 
2020 and much of 2021 has been a blur of quarantine, PCR tests, and canceled travel plans. With the vaccines being rolled out globally, this summer will see a resurgence of international events including the Olympic Games in July. Many international events were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic but Expo 2020 in Dubai has been rescheduled and will now run from October 1st to March 31st, 2022. The international fair which is held every five years is a six-month celebration of architecture and technology including 192 countries and over 200 participants. Expo Dubai expects to attract millions of people under the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and has just announced an exciting new pavilion.
With preparations already underway, luxury brand Cartier announced this week that they will be spearheading a Women’s Pavilion with the help of Amal Clooney (if her name sounds familiar it is because she is a human rights lawyer married to American actor George Clooney) and Reem Ebrahim Al-Ashimy, the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau. “Gender equality is an essential pillar of all sustainable development – the foundation on which the health and prosperity of communities, and indeed humanity at large, is built,” said Her Excellency in a public statement. “The Women’s Pavilion highlights the crucial roles that women have long played as linchpins of their communities and drivers of economies, and underscores Expo 2020 Dubai’s firm commitment to empowering all women to drive their own development and create a better future for us all.”
The surprise announcement was well received and reflects Cartiers social and environmental policies with an official announcement stating that the pavilion is an effort “to inspire and empower global citizens to create a better future for women.” The incredible opportunity for dialogue and shared experiences will focus on the global impact of women and their integral role in society. Four international artists have been asked to contribute to the project including Egyptian street artist El Seed, film director Nadine Labaki, interior designer Laura Gonzalez and actress Mélanie Laurent. Starting on the ground floor the majestic pavilion will be divided into five areas and end with an invitation to visitors to make a change in their local communities and beyond.
