NEW WAVES

Interactive exhibit makes a splash at summer festivals

- Tim Phelan

This summer, IDE Canada set out to raise awareness and change some people’s impressions about global poverty.

The goal was to highlight the importance of markets and innovation, and demonstrate how IDE is using them to bring hope to millions of small farmers around the world.

To accomplish this, we designed and built a portable IDE exhibit display, taking it to various summer festivals and events around Manitoba. The display consists of a three-panel table-top sign, a large banner, and various publicity materials.

But that’s not all.

Front and centre is an interactive exhibit featuring examples of actual irrigation equipment marketed by IDE to empower small farmers around the world.

The irrigation units start at $16 for a 120 square meter unit. A 150 square meter unit costs about $24.

Predictably, our treadle-pump display inspired curiosity and sparked the imagination of hundreds of Manitobans stopping by to see the exhibit this summer. Our customized pump drew water from an inflatable pool, drawing in impressive amounts of water and propelling it back out again, much to the delight of the countless young children begging to try it for themselves.

The exhibit traveled to three major Manitoba summer festivals, including the Neepawa Lily Festival, The Portage Potato Festival, and the Morden Corn and Apple Festival. We also set up at the Exchange District Farmer’s Market in downtown Winnipeg on a weekly basis in August.

There was a fair amount of skepticism though, for most were only familiar with more traditional development approaches, which many feel have caused more problems than they’ve solved. After learning about IDE and its programs, many left with new ideas and impressions about global poverty.

When people approach the display, try out the treadle pump, or just browse around, it opens the floor for two-way communication. The overwhelming impression we get from talking to people is that there are so many who want to make a difference and help the world’s poorest, but feel powerless to do so.

After stopping by the IDE exhibit display, our hope is that some of those feelings change.

Tim Phelan is studying creative communications at Red River College in Winnipeg. He spent the summer working with IDE Canada, supported in part by a grant from Canada Summer Jobs.