The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) and
Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer Work Coordination Group announced
that the recruitment for volunteers of the Beijing Olympic and
Paralympic Games is officially launched on August 28.
Both Liu Qi, president of the BOCOG and secretary of
the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC,and Jacques Rogge,
president of International Olympic Committee (IOC), delivered
televised addresses to extend their congratulations.
Qiang Wei, deputy secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal
Committee, chief of Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer Work
Coordination Group attended the ceremony and made a speech. Li
Binghua, executive vice-president of BOCOG and vice chief of
Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer Work Coordination Group, presided
over the launching ceremony.
Liu Qi pointed out in his address, "The recruitment of Olympic
volunteers will be conducted in accordance with the plans of IOC
and BOCOG. It is important in promoting the preparations of the
Games, and opens up opportunities for the general public and
friends from home and abroad to participate in the Games and serve
the Games."
He noted, "To host a 'high-level' Olympic Games 'with
distinguishing features' is a solemn commitment made by Chinese
Government and BOCOG and it is also the common expectations of the
Chinese people.
"In 2008, the volunteers' smiles will be the best name cards for
Beijing. Since the Olympic volunteer program was initiated on June
5 last year, the preparations have progressed smoothly."
Liu Qi extended his gratitude to the friends from home and
abroad who had always shown great interest in and offered powerful
support to the preparations for the Games, and hoped that all the
Chinese people, including those in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and
overseas students could be actively involved in Olympic volunteer
application.
Once recruited, they are expected to promote volunteerism,
disseminate Olympic spirit, practice the concept of "people's
Olympics", enhance service awareness, improve their service
abilities, and bear the historical responsibility and glorious
mission of making contributions to the Beijing Olympic Games.
Mr. Rogge confirmed the volunteers' contributions to the Olympic
Games, and called on people from China and other countries to serve
the Games as volunteers so that they may greet the world in 2008,
"Welcome to Beijing!".
The instant the induction bar was touched by Qiang Wei, Yang
Yue, Zhu Shanlu and Liu Jingmin; meanwhile, the online application
system for Olympic volunteers was initiated.?
Later, the volunteer consultancy hotline (86-10-12308) of
Beijing Olympic Call Center was officially opened as Zhao Fengtong,
Li Binghua, Tong Xiaoquan touched the crystal ball
simultaneously.
Liu Jian, Office Director of Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer
Work Coordination Group and Secretary of Beijing Youth League
Committee, talked with the first group of applicants on the
site.
Qiang Wei pointed out considerate services and sincere smiles of
Games-time volunteers will enhance the friendship and solidarity
among people with different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and in
different regions; demonstrate the unique charm of Olympic Games;
and promote the harmonious development and mutual advancement of
human society.
The launching ceremony also unveiled the title and slogan of the
"Smile Theme Activity".
?
The song "Smile, Beijing" marked the climax of the ceremony.
Children wearing the costumes of Fu Wa, the Beijing Olympic
mascots, held the balloons in five Olympic colors and painted
smiling faces on the balloon together with the spectators.
The launching ceremony also released the first issue of the
periodical of Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer Work Coordination
Group, Volunteer -- Together with Olympic Games.
After the ceremony, BOCOG and Beijing Olympic Games Volunteer
Work Coordination Group held a joint press conference, expounding
the overall situation of the volunteer program and policies
concerning Games-time volunteer recruitment, and answered questions
from domestic and international journalists.
It is reported that 70,000 volunteers would be needed for the
Olympic Games, and another 30,000 for the Paralympic Games. The
majority of volunteers of the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be
recruited from the universities in Beijing. BOCOG also plans to
recruit a certain number of volunteers from the residents
nationwide, as well as compatriots from Taiwan, Hong Kong and
Macao, overseas Chinese, students studying abroad, and
foreigners.
The application process will start successively in light of
actual needs and situations. The applicants in Beijing may submit
their applications in the following manners: The university
teachers and students (including those from Hong Kong, Macao,
Taiwan and foreign nationals) can enroll voluntarily in the
recruitment outlets on campus from August 28 2006; other people may
apply via the BOCOG online system or by correspondence. Meanwhile,
certain organizations will be designated by BOCOG to receive the
applications by their employees according to the requirements of
professional volunteers.
From December, the applicants who reside in other provinces,
autonomous regions or municipalities may enroll in such manner as
designated by their local Communist Youth League Committees.
For compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, overseas
Chinese, students studying abroad, and foreigners: if they work or
reside in Beijing, the application mode designed for the applicants
in Beijing may also apply; otherwise, they may apply from March,
2007 via BOCOG online system.
The recruitment in co-host cities (Qingdao, Tianjin, Shanghai,
Shenyang, Qinhuangdao, Hong Kong) will be arranged by the
sub-committees of the BOCOG according to the general policy
formulated by BOCOG.
(China Daily August 28, 2006)