Rare Indigo Ventures Inc.

In June 2006, The Third Session of the World Urban Forum (WUF3) was hosted by the Government of Canada in partnership with UN-HABITAT in Vancouver, Canada. For five days, some 10,000 participants from more than 150 nations discussed, debated and shared experiences about how to make our cities better places to live.

Working with Rare Indigo Ventures Inc, PRP was involved in the creative direction and production of the Forum’s Opening and Closing Ceremonies. To kick off this significant global program, the welcome ceremony introduced attendees to the vibrancy of Canadian culture with a First Nations hoop dance, RCMP and Vancouver Police Honour Guards, and local youth and choral performances, and represented global diversity with Japanese Uzume Taiko drummers and a four-sister singing quartet from Kenya. In addition to welcoming remarks given by Sam Sullivan and Gordon Campbell plus a keynote address from The Right Honourable Stephen Harper, the opening ceremony featured dignitary addresses from Kenya, the Philippines and Tanzania as well as a message from the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.

The Third Session of the World Urban Forum ended with the promise to move from ideas into action to help change the shape of tomorrow’s cities -- one building, one decision, one action and one idea at a time. The WUF 3 closing ceremony celebrated the achievements of the conference and plans for the future as well as the introduction of Nanjing, China as the next host city for World Urban Forum IV (2008). PRP sent attendees home with a memorable and a distinctly Canadian theatrical event; the Canadian Cirque. Performers defied the imagination of all with their acrobatic feats, strength and elegance choreographed in a lavish performance exclusive to the World Urban Forum.

For more information on the World Urban Forum, please visit http://www.wuf3-fum3.ca/