In the International Organizations Pavilion is one of the 2010 Shanghai Expo's most striking structures. The INBAR (International Network of Bamboo and Rattan) Pavilion showcases how these natural materials enrich peoples' lives around the world.

"The centerpiece of INBAR's pavilion is a bamboo-panel structure modeled on Beijing's historic Temple of Heaven," said Lu Tu, the pavilion's designer. "Our pavilion is almost entirely made of bamboo and rattan. I think it demonstrates INBAR's theme 'Bamboo and Rattan: Enriching Lives', which echoes the Expo theme 'Better City, Better Life.'"

Theme of the INBAR pavilion [Wu Nanlan/China.org.cn]

Since it was founded in 1997 INBAR has been working to alleviate poverty and protect the environment by promoting innovative uses of bamboo and rattan.

This is the first time INBAR has participated in an Expo. Dr. J. Coosje Hoogendoorn, director general of the organization said the Expo is a great platform to promote the use of bamboo and rattan and showcase INBAR's work. "INBAR's projects in China have already helped thousands of people in Zhejiang, Sichuan, Hunan and Yunnan provinces out of poverty," she said.

J.Coosje Hoogendoorn,  director general of INBAR [Wu Nanlan/China.org.cn]

INBAR recently launched a project in Sichuan Province to help people rebuild their homes after the May 2008 earthquake using bamboo and rattan. The project encourages local building firms to use bamboo instead of non-renewable building materials such as timber, concrete and steel, Dr. Hoogendoorn said.

"Bamboo is the oldest and most popular building material in the rural areas and villages of the world's tropical and subtropical regions. It is a sustainable material and could be said to be the most ecologically friendly building material available," said Lou Yiping, INBAR's program director.

"We hope our exhibition will promote the global use of bamboo and rattan in peoples' daily lives to reduce carbon emissions and increase economic development in poverty stricken areas," said Dr. Hoogendoorn.

The International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) is an intergovernmental development organization committed to reducing poverty and protecting the environment through the use of bamboo and rattan. With headquarters in Beijing and offices in India, Ethiopia, Ghana and Ecuador, INBAR works with over 34 member countries worldwide and partners with more than 50 international, regional, and national organizations.