As the World’s Greatest Show – EXPO 2020 comes to a close, we look back at all the times, Project Maji got to be a part of this glorious event. For us, it all started in April last year, when we were awarded the Global Best Practice Award by EXPO 2020 for our COVID-19 response & particularly for the development of the Maji Bucket, guiding the way for fellow front-line responders in the pandemic era. Read on to catch a glimpse of the Maji-Expo experience!
Being a part of EXPO 2020 allowed us to showcase this ingenious yet simple solution to key stakeholders in the rural water space, for them to replicate it across the developing world and serve communities at risk. It also brought with it multiple unforgettable moments of global recognition, the chance to meet like-minded change-makers, the opportunity to represent the millions who live without access to clean water, and last but not the least, countless chances of visiting the mesmerizing EXPO site.
Maji Buckets Featured at Expo 2020 Global Best Practice Programme
First came the announcement that the Maji Buckets had been selected as a Best Practice Programme amongst 50 other projects. We are truly honoured to have been selected as the prestigious programme brought together selective programmes that presented a tangible, replicable and scalable solution to the challenges posed by COVID-19.
Lots of Media Coverage
Next, we were featured on CNN’s Road to Expo Preview Show. The three-minute segment dedicated to Project Maji’s COVID-19 response covered our hand-hygiene awareness drive, the development of the Maji Bucket & a short brief by our Founder & CEO, Sunil Lalvani, introducing the project. In the build-up towards Global Best Practice Assembly, Expo Dubai TV also dedicated a morning transmission highlighting Project Maji’s efforts in the rural water space and building bridges to protect poor rural communities vulnerable to COVID-19 spread.
Waving the SDG 6 Flag!
In January earlier this year, EXPO 2020 celebrated Global Goals Week and it was for the opening ceremony for this week-long celebration of the agenda 2030 that our Founder r& CEO, Sunil Lalvani, was invited to wave the SDG 6 Flag – recognizing him as a leader in the rural WASH space. The grand ceremony attracted dignitaries including Her Excellency Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group.
Global Best Practice Assembly
Later in January, Project Maji’s Dubai Team were invited to attend the Global Best Practice Assembly at the Expo site:
Sunil Speaks at Sustainability Pavillion
As part of a panel discussion about accelerating access to SDGs at the sustainability pavilion at Expo 2020, Sunil spoke about the disappointing progress that has been made towards achieving universal access to safe water - SDG 6 and the shift required in the global conversation around agenda 2030.
Sunil Presents at the Best Practice Assembly
Finally, we presented the ingenious Maji Bucket project to the Best Practice Assembly. In his presentation, Sunil talked about the Project Maji journey, our strategy pivot when #covidー19 hit and the development of Maji Buckets that have to date reached over 75,000 people across Sub-Saharan Africa.
With that, our Expo journey came to an end. Over 190 countries participated in Expo 2020 Dubai, ''Connecting Minds, Creating The Future'', showcasing human brilliance and achievements. This event showcased and explored what is possible when new ideas and people connect. We are truly honored to have been a part of the world's greatest show!