The Political Economy of Nation State Image Management at World Expos

Workshop Program:

 

Wednesday, Sept 3:

• Welcome, Visit and Guided Tour, Canadian Pavilion, World Expo 2025, Osaka
• Team Presentation, “Foundational Thoughts on The Expo Script,” Canadian Pavilion, World Expo 2025, Osaka
• Welcome, Visit and Guided Tour, Japanese pavilion, World Expo 2025, Osaka

Friday, September 5

10am - 12pm Panel I: Ways of World Expos (15 minutes each)
Welcome, Chair and Commentator: Hiroo Nakajima, University of Osaka

1. Jessica Gienow-Hecht, Freie Universität Berlin, „Spectacle & Sensation: Nation Branding at World Expos, 1851-2025“
2. Nick Cull, University of Southern California, “World Expos and Reputational Security”
3. Matthew Asada, U.S. Embassy in Accra, Ghana & former Deputy Commissioner
   General, USA Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai, “Intra-Event comparison of Expo 2020
   Dubai and FIFA 2022 Doha: Lessons for Future Global Mega Event Hosts”

 

1-3pm Panel 2: Japan (15 minutes each)

Chair and Commentator: Tsutomu Himeno, Ex-Ambassador in Charge of Kansai

1. Hiroo Nakajima, University of Osaka, “The International House of Japan: The De
   Facto Center of Intellectual Interchange in the Postwar Japan”
2. Nobuyuki Nakamura, Kanda University of International Studies: “Germination of
   Public Diplomacy in the U.S.: Nicholas M. Butler and the Carnegie Endowment for
   International Peace”
3. Anri Kahata, Toyo University: “Japan’s Cultural Diplomacy in Expo’70”
4. Nancy Snow, Nikkei Asia; Global Communications, KREAB Tokyo, “From Triumph to
   Tightrope: Osaka’s World Expos, 1970 to 2025”

 

4-6pm Panel 3: China and India (15 minutes each)

Chair and Commentator: Nick Cull

1. Kaifeng Xiao, University of Osaka, “Internationalism or National Interest? Anglo-
   American Technical and Cultural Aid to China (1941–1945)”
2. Barney Liu, Tsinghua University, Beijing, “Global China: Branding construction
   through world expos (2015-2025)."
3. Di Wu, School of Political Science & International Relations, Shanghai Tongji
   University, “China’s Green Diplomacy and Reputational Security: Ecological
   Civilisation and Osaka Expo”
4. Sudarshan Rambadran, Stock Exchange Mumbai, “India at World Expo: Past,
   Present and Future”

 

Saturday, September 6

10am-12pm: Panel 4: Turkey (15 minutes each)

Chair and Commentator: Jessica Gienow-Hecht, Freie Universität Berlin

1. Lesar Yurtsever, Freie Universität Berlin, “A Bridge in Time, Space, and Culture.
   Turkey's New Image at the 1939 New York World's Fair”
2. Mihriban Akyol Akin, Beykent Üniversitesi/Türkiye Brand Office, “Reputation by
   Design: Mega Events as Soft Power Instruments in Nation Branding”

 

12pm: Conclusion & Lunch

 Afternoon, September 6:

-      3:30-5pm Visit of Expo 2025 “Wa! Germany” Pavilion
On-stage presentation and discussion of research results “The Expo Script,” at “Magazin,”
7-8pm
Visit and Tour of the U.S. Pavilion