06 August 2010

Shanghai, China: The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme opened a multi-media exhibit to raise awareness about the value of voluntary action and attract new UNV volunteers at the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

The UNV exhibit, which runs until 18 August, joins those of 35 other UN agencies participating in the UN Pavilion.  Its aims are to raise awareness of the contribution volunteerism makes to peace and development and to encourage qualified individuals to apply to become UNV volunteers.  Up to now, there have been over 23 million visitors to the Shanghai Expo since the opening in May 2010. The UN Pavilion has received over 1.3 million visitors and is currently receiving up to 15,000 visitors per day.

The UNV exhibit was designed by Zara Arshad, a young British graphic designer, to showcase the contributions of five UNV volunteers posted around the world.  Those featured include national and international UNV volunteers, from five different nationalities, who are serving in China, Guyana, Peru, Sudan and Ukraine in projects to further peace and development. 

Next to the photo display, interested visitors will find an interactive webpage they can use to request information and leave messages on why they would like to volunteer.  The exhibit includes the UNV video 'Inspiration in Action' which is being shown continuously.   In addition, visitors to the UN Pavilion may also view the Creative Corridor installation made by national UNV volunteers in Guatemala. Read more about the Creative Corridor.

The exhibit opened officially on 2 August, attended by Mr Guo Xinbao, Director of the Beijing Volunteers Federation, Mr Zhang Ya Lin, Senior Supervisor of the Shanghai Expo Volunteer Department, Mr Oliver Wittershagen, UNV East Asia Portfolio Manager,  Ms Henny Ngu, UNV China Programme Officer and Ms Zhang Xiaodan, UNV Country Office Assistant.  Participants discussed China’s successes in mobilizing and managing large numbers of volunteers.  While the Beijing Olympics mobilized 1.7 million volunteers, the Shanghai World Expo has mobilized over 2 million to voluntarily serve on the exposition grounds and throughout the city of Shanghai.

Speakers highlighted the importance of transferring the legacy of volunteerism for development from the Beijing Olympics volunteer experience to other mass events such as the 2010 Shanghai World Expo.  For example, lessons learned from the Beijing Olympics experience had been incorporated into the Shanghai Expo’s volunteer management process.

This included regular reviews of volunteer performance which are used to make adjustments in its day-to-day management as well as in the development of a volunteer database to be used for community volunteering activities after the exposition.

Mr Wittershagen also met with volunteer team representatives from the Shanghai Expo, the Guangzhou Asian Games and the Beijing Pavilion, who were former Beijing Olympics Volunteers.  He presented them with UNV gift bags in recognition of their efforts and encouraged them to keep their volunteering spirit alive.  Mr Wittershagen also used the occasion to encourage all partners and volunteers to celebrate International Volunteer Day (IVD) on 5 December 2010, with its theme of Volunteering for the MDGs, and to join in launching  2011 as the tenth anniversary of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10).

For press enquiries, please contact:
Ms Henny Ngu, UNV China Programme Officer at (86) 85320910 or henny.ngu@undp.org