When an Emirati woman driving a buggy gave a ride to the elderly and families with children at Expo 2020 Dubai, they did not know the person driving them around was a senior Expo official.
As they chatted about their day, Expo’s chief experience officer listened in.
These rides across a site twice the size of Monaco helped Marjan Faraidooni tune in to what people were saying, what they enjoyed and measure the impact of the Expo.
It took this exceptional level of engagement and groundwork to make the site come alive and adapt to the needs of millions streaming in through the gates over six months.
To operate during a pandemic and constantly changing variants and breakouts, it was very nerve-racking
Marjan Faraidooni,
Expo 2020 Dubai chief experience officer
Ms Faraidooni, who also handled human resources, told The National about the Herculean task of staying nimble as Covid-19 protocols were constantly updated.
She gives a unique glimpse into the running of a global event with a 35,000 workforce including tens of thousands of volunteers to stage the first world’s fair not just in the Middle East but in a wider region including North Africa and South Asia.
A behind-the-scenes look at the nervous days of handling the Omicron breakout and keeping the site safe until gates closed on April 1.
Being nimble
When the coronavirus pandemic began, the Expo set up a task force responsible for testing on site, running the vaccination programme and providing booster doses to staff, their families and country participants.
“We reached a point of time where we had many testing facilities across the site, and that was done to control the number of people who had Covid,” she said.
“We worked very closely with our Covid task force in making sure we were providing all support.”
The Expo worked with the Dubai Health Authority and the UAE Ministry of Health to constantly update safety guidelines.
“From the very start, we were very bold, in announcing that anybody who wanted to visit the Expo had to be vaccinated or show PCR that was valid for 72 hours or 48 hours before they visited,” Ms Faraidooni said.
“We monitored the situation with updates and changes, particularly in the Omicron breakout. Being nimble and always having our ear to the ground was very important.”
The leadership team met every morning throughout the 182 days to discuss the previous day and the challenges moving forward.
“We were responsible for not only the people part of our team making this a reality, but for visitors — making sure they felt safe coming to our doors. So of course, we were very nervous,” she said.
“We were operating under very difficult circumstances to pull off the event. But to do it during a pandemic and constantly changing variants and breakouts, it was very nerve-racking.”
Mental health support
Motivating people and constant communication was key when the Expo was delayed by a year due to safety considerations amid the spread of Covid-19 worldwide.
The message to be open, communicate and discuss the plan ahead came from the top from Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation and director general of Expo.
Health bands were given to all staff to track fitness levels and mental health support was offered.
“Wellness was important because we wanted to make sure our staff were prepared physically and mentally for the journey ahead,” Ms Faraidooni said.
“We recognised our staff did not have family with them here so they were struggling during the pandemic.”
A weekly wellness newsletter was introduced with health tips.
As chief of human resources, Ms Faraidooni ran sessions with experts with information on how to identify stress and take care of staff.
Listening to visitors
Ms Faraidooni made sure to observe visitors, whether by giving them a ride or joining people who sat under the giant Al Wasl dome
“I spent a lot of time driving buggies and picking up visitors myself just to understand what the feelings were on the ground and what we needed to improve,” she said.
One of her favourite spots was Al Wasl Plaza, that came alive during the maghrib sunset prayers.
There she watched people’s reactions during the first show when images of thousands of doves fluttered across the trusses within the arched interior.
“This always gives me goosebumps when I listened to the people around me go ‘wow’,” she said.
“People of all ages, the child in the pushchair, the senior citizen with the orange lanyard, to the tourists — they are absolutely in awe of the beauty they are seeing.
“For me that puts everything into perspective and that will be the moment I will miss the most.”
Changing perceptions about the Arab world
The depiction of Arab legends from navigators to mathematicians in the Alif or Mobility pavilion was well received.
Low seating areas across the outdoors that creatively used calligraphy to spell out messages of love and tolerance caught people's attention.
“We do get people telling us they were proud to see how we depicted the Arab world and international visitors told us they learnt more about our people,” she said.
The numbers
More than 900,000 schoolchildren visited the Expo — the first destination for school outings during the Omicron outbreak.
The theme pavilions that anchor the site captured their imagination.
Ms Faraidooni and her team were integral to the delivery of the pavilions, from the draft stage eight years ago to the execution.
“Our thematic pavilions have seen more than 1 million visitors. And that for us are 1 million opportunities to inspire people to be agents of change,” she said.
Visitors pledged to change how they live. More than 95 per cent of people who visited the Terra pavilion committed to take up a task to save the environment.
More than half the visitors to the Mobility pavilion recognised technology must be used for the common good.
“These are very big outcomes and impact people from the opportunities we have created,” she said.
“This brings pride to me and my team who brought this to life. You can’t help feel emotional to see people being inspired.”
What now?
The Expo was closed to the public in the early hours of Friday and will open later this year as District 2020.
After the high pressure time spent working together, the team is emotional. Tears were spilt during the last week of the world's fair.
“It's a very special moment of time where we got 192 nations together to really connect,” Ms Faraidooni said.
“It's really touching to hear people say their visits to Expo connected them as families, and to people from different cultures and people around the world.”
Several structures will remain. These include Al Wasl Plaza, the Sustainability, Mobility, Vision and Women's pavilions.
“The Expo will be in memory,” Ms Faraidooni said.
“You will see reminders that this was the place that hosted the World Expo in October 2021.
“It's not going to be the same place. So if you came through our doors, we hope that you have great memories at this Expo.”
10 attractions that will stay as part of District 2020 — in pictures
School counsellors on mental well-being
Schools counsellors in Abu Dhabi have put a number of provisions in place to help support pupils returning to the classroom next week.
Many children will resume in-person lessons for the first time in 10 months and parents previously raised concerns about the long-term effects of distance learning.
Schools leaders and counsellors said extra support will be offered to anyone that needs it. Additionally, heads of years will be on hand to offer advice or coping mechanisms to ease any concerns.
“Anxiety this time round has really spiralled, more so than from the first lockdown at the beginning of the pandemic,” said Priya Mitchell, counsellor at The British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi.
“Some have got used to being at home don’t want to go back, while others are desperate to get back.
“We have seen an increase in depressive symptoms, especially with older pupils, and self-harm is starting younger.
“It is worrying and has taught us how important it is that we prioritise mental well-being.”
Ms Mitchell said she was liaising more with heads of year so they can support and offer advice to pupils if the demand is there.
The school will also carry out mental well-being checks so they can pick up on any behavioural patterns and put interventions in place to help pupils.
At Raha International School, the well-being team has provided parents with assessment surveys to see how they can support students at home to transition back to school.
“They have created a Well-being Resource Bank that parents have access to on information on various domains of mental health for students and families,” a team member said.
“Our pastoral team have been working with students to help ease the transition and reduce anxiety that [pupils] may experience after some have been nearly a year off campus.
"Special secondary tutorial classes have also focused on preparing students for their return; going over new guidelines, expectations and daily schedules.”
JAPANESE GRAND PRIX INFO
Schedule (All times UAE)
First practice: Friday, 5-6.30am
Second practice: Friday, 9-10.30am
Third practice: Saturday, 7-8am
Qualifying: Saturday, 10-11am
Race: Sunday, 9am-midday
Race venue: Suzuka International Racing Course
Circuit Length: 5.807km
Number of Laps: 53
Watch live: beIN Sports HD
Fund-raising tips for start-ups
Develop an innovative business concept
Have the ability to differentiate yourself from competitors
Put in place a business continuity plan after Covid-19
Prepare for the worst-case scenario (further lockdowns, long wait for a vaccine, etc.)
Have enough cash to stay afloat for the next 12 to 18 months
Be creative and innovative to reduce expenses
Be prepared to use Covid-19 as an opportunity for your business
* Tips from Jassim Al Marzooqi and Walid Hanna
The specs: 2018 Mercedes-Benz E 300 Cabriolet
Price, base / as tested: Dh275,250 / Dh328,465
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder
Power: 245hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm @ 1,300rpm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Fuel consumption, combined: 7.0L / 100km
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Premier Futsal 2017 Finals
Al Wasl Football Club; six teams, five-a-side
Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado
Our legal columnist
Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
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So what is Spicy Chickenjoy?
Just as McDonald’s has the Big Mac, Jollibee has Spicy Chickenjoy – a piece of fried chicken that’s crispy and spicy on the outside and comes with a side of spaghetti, all covered in tomato sauce and topped with sausage slices and ground beef. It sounds like a recipe that a child would come up with, but perhaps that’s the point – a flavourbomb combination of cheap comfort foods. Chickenjoy is Jollibee’s best-selling product in every country in which it has a presence.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
15 years, 181 days old
- Max Dowman (Arsenal)
15 years, 235 days old
- Jeremy Monga (Leicester)
15 years, 271 days old
- Harvey Elliott (Fulham)
16 years, 30 days old
- Matthew Briggs (Fulham)
16 years, 68 days old
Scoreline:
Barcelona 2
Suarez 85', Messi 86'
Atletico Madrid 0
Red card: Diego Costa 28' (Atletico)
The Florida Project
Director: Sean Baker
Starring: Bria Vinaite, Brooklynn Prince, Willem Dafoe
Four stars
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5