Do you know the story of the Iraq Pavilion @ Expo 2020?
Do you know the story of the Iraq Pavilion @ Expo 2020?
Many people don’t. And it is a long story …
I am always surprised by people who write with a sense of entitlement to the narrative and judgment without context. Without understanding the context, matters and discussions are abstract as they do not honor the real journey. Thus, I believe we should tell our stories.
So I wrote this to honor the story and my journey.
Chapter One : Nov 2018- Sept 24 2019
Major Milestones:
November 2018: I had my vision set on seeing Iraq present at Expo 2020 Dubai. No one handed me the project. I created the opportunity myself and worked relentlessly to make it happen. The idea of Iraq not being present with other countries at Expo was too painful to accept.
I wanted the good people of Iraq, the Iraqis who have so much talent but no platform to showcase their talents to be visible. I wanted Iraq to celebrate its rich history and plan for its future growth. I wanted to empower Iraq’s future potential.
December 2018: I traveled to Iraq to open channels of communication with the Iraqi government.
January 8th, 2019: I started thinking of the design of the pavilion, but soon learned that the cost is a major issue to consider since there was no budget allocated.
January 23rd, 2019: I started lobbying for Iraq’s participation at Expo.I faced major challenges and numerous setbacks. I was asked to give up as I was told it won’t happen for various reasons. I said to the person in charge at the time: I am a revolution..I am a treasure and a headache for some. I only know Hope and I will not give up.
Early February 2019: I flew to Baghdad to try to meet with the Iraqi government to get the needed support.
February 19th, 2019
May 3rd and 4th 2019 - Technical meeting at Expo that I attended representing Iraq.
The financing of the project was the main issue as there was no budget allocated for the Iraq Pavilion. I all of the sudden had to be involved in all aspects of making the Iraq Pavilion happen from design, management, communications with expo and Iraqi government, budgeting, engaging consultants, contractors, etc. I reached out to various contractors and consultants to try to control the cost early on so it is feasible. I had worked on every aspect of the project from the beginning.
June 2nd, 2019: All three final designs were ready to be shared . They all considered the larger theme of the EXPO and in particular the opportunity theme. Besides the design, these options were considered from other important criteria including time required to construct the pavilion to efficiency to cost.
Then we created a website with the help of volunteers so Iraqis could vote. The content of this website is now under
www.rayaani.com. On the front page, there is a link to the website that was launched in July 2019
July 27th, 2019 : We published all three designs on youtube
Design 1: Al Saliya Design
Al Saliya - English
Al Saliya - Arabic
Design 2: Stories of Light
Stories of Light- English
Stories of Light - Arabic
Design 3: Colors of Iraq
Colors of Iraq - English
Colors of Iraq- Arabic
July 30th, 2019
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August 1st,2019
I was invited to come to Baghdad to present the three designs so the committee can select one.
August 20th, 2019
We made a video on youtube where I explained the three designs and how to vote for the design that best represents Iraq.
August 23rd, 2019- I attended a meeting in Iraq to present the three designs.
The Iraqi committee responsible for the Iraq Pavilion selected Al Saliya design.
At the same time, the voting on the website was still on-going and Al Saliya design got the highest public vote.
September 24th, 2019 Iraq signed to participate at expo 2020.
This is the end of Chapter One.
I thank wholeheartedly everyone who helped me and supported the Iraq pavilion along the way. Some of them are mentioned on the website and others I thanked personally or in other posts.
I say to the people who stood in my way, and tried in many ways to drag me down: You made the win so more precious and meaningful as winning against all odds is the most empowering experience I could have wished for.
就读于清华大学
2 年The Iraq Pavilion is one of the most unique at the Expo and your story is really inspiring. I remember voting for the Al Saliya design via the website back in high school. So glad to see it get built in Dubai.
Building a portfolio career in politics, business and talent ? Africa expert ? Keynote speaker ? Rhodes Scholar & Global Secretary
2 年Really well done! Iraq was one of my favourite pavilions and will feature in the top 10 of my article for ONGOLO . You’ve also inspired me to try to help my continent, Africa, for Expo 2025!
Executive Director | Project Management Office | Strategic Alignment | Governance | Portfolio Performance | Project Controls Systems | Planning and Programming | Founder of MESOPO Management & Performance | Member of PMI
3 年Very proud of you well done Raya keep up the good work.