International Art Festival x Green Infrastructure x International Conferences (MICE) - Promoting the Creation of a New Urban Legacy that Integrates Cultural Diplomacy and Environmental Regeneration

"Water Connections" illustration (courtesy of the Union of Kansai Governments)

The Kansai International Future Consortium (tentative name) Founding Preparatory Committee has announced a plan to carry on the legacy of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, starting from Yumeshima and branding the entire Kansai region as an "Art & Bioregion" connected by water. The consortium will promote the creation of an "intellectual social infrastructure" that integrates cultures such as international art festivals, architecture, film, and music with environmental regeneration, disaster prevention, tourism, and the economy.

【Point】

・Establishment of the Preparatory Committee: To build an "intellectual social infrastructure" that will carry on the legacy of the Expo. Comprised of experts in academia, culture, and policy.
・Concept: "Starting from Yumeshima, to an art and bioregion that connects the Kansai region with water." Cultural diplomacy and environmental restoration are both achieved in the river basin.
-Major programs: International Art Festival (with participation from various countries, similar to the Venice Biennale) / 100-Year Forest (Earth Forest) / Expo Reuse Project (recycling and reuse of materials).
-Key message: "Turning the Expo legacy into a future asset" x "International art festival, green infrastructure, and international conferences (MICE)".

Cultural Green Infrastructure Island "Yumeshima" Image (AI-generated image)

■Background

In order to implement the Osaka-Kansai Expo's philosophy of "Designing a future society where life shines" in a sustainable way in society even after the Expo ends, we aim to create a platform for sustainable international collaboration and co-creation based on Yumeshima, where the environment, culture and art, tourism, economy, disaster prevention, and education intersect.

The national flag flying at the Expo site

■Project Overview

1) Concept
"Starting from Yumeshima, to an art and bioregion that connects the Kansai region with water." The watershed stretching from the horse chestnut forests at the source of Lake Biwa, through the Yodo River system, and out to the Seto Inland Sea, is seen as a circulatory system of culture, nature, and economy, and aims to make it a base for cultural diplomacy and tourism.

2) Major Programs
- International Art Festival: Strengthening international outreach as a creative city through the development of art festivals in which pavilions from various countries participate, as well as art fairs, etc. Various cultural events, including architecture, film, and music, will also be coordinated.
- 100-Year Forest (Earth Forest): In conjunction with the development of Yumeshima parks, the forests, wetlands, and waterfront areas will be regenerated as green infrastructure, promoting multicultural coexistence and tourism resources.
- Expo Reuse Project: Planning an online auction to give a second life to art, fixtures, and materials from the Expo. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to this initiative, leading to resource recycling and support for future generations (in cooperation with Yahoo! Auctions).

3) Development of Education for Life (ESD)
Based on the concept of ESD (Education for Sustainable Development), we collaborate with universities and research institutes in Japan and overseas, including those in the Kansai region, to develop a curriculum for studying global issues in a transdisciplinary way, as well as fieldwork and international workshops.

Practicing "Education for Life" on a global level in a transdisciplinary way

■ Founding Preparatory Committee (founding members)

Yamagiwa Juichi (Director of the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature / Former President of Kyoto University)
Hata Yoshio (Photographer and Video Producer)
Okuno Takuji (Professor Emeritus, Kwansei Gakuin University)
Yoshimura Motoo (Landscape architect and urban planner)
Suzuki Daisuke (Chairman and General Producer of the Osaka Kansai International Art Festival Executive Committee)
Kada Yukiko (Environmental Anthropologist, Former Governor of Shiga Prefecture, Member of the House of Councilors)
Kaneko Michihito (former Ministry of Foreign Affairs official and member of the House of Councillors)

*We will continue to expand our collaboration with a variety of experts and organizations.

■ Future outlook

- FY2025: Governance design/subcommittee launch, start of hearings on sponsorship and exhibitor intentions - Expo Reuse Project: design and coordination of partners, establishment of a registration desk for donations and sponsorships
- FY2026: Pre-planning for collaboration with international art festivals, start of Earth Forest Phase 1 (infrastructure development and citizen participation program)

■Contact us

Kansai International Future Consortium (tentative name) Founding Preparatory Committee Secretariat (ARTLOGUE Inc.)
Email: info@artlogue.org
TEL: 06-6467-8656
Coverage and image provision: Available (please contact us in advance)

(Note)
- MICE: Abbreviation for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions & Exhibitions. Refers to international conferences, incentive trips, exhibitions, etc.
- ESD: Education for Sustainable Development
- "Yahoo! Auctions" is a trademark of Yahoo Japan Corporation

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