The World Expo in Shanghai in 2010 is allowing individual cities as entrants for the first time. Oulu is making history as one of the 55 cities that have qualified for the Expo, reports Kaleva.

The World Expos have been held since 1851. A new category for cities, communities and networks will be held in 2010 in China. Oulu has been selected from the 113 entrants in the Urban Best Practices category.

Other entrants in the same category include Paris, Venice, Malmö, Odense and Shanghai itself. Fifteen of the 55 entrants are new sites to be built; Oulu is in this category with its new Ritaharju school. Oulu’s theme is the people of Oulu and the new educational innovations in use. Its bid was enhanced by a good Finnish result in the PISA study and Ritaharju school being part of the Microsoft Innovative Schools program. 

The World Expo in Shanghai will take place between 1st May and 31st October in 2010. The overall theme is “Better City – Better Life”. The visitor target is 70 million and exhibitions will come from over 200 countries and communities. Sirkka Keränen of the City Council says that the final decision to participate in Shanghai is yet to be made.

The budget needs to be established and if participation is confirmed, partners and funding arrangements have to be sorted out. (Kaleva)

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