Chinese and Spanish volunteers share work and experience at Expo
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| The 22 Spaniards (19 volunteers and three coordinators), who?worked two years ago in the International Exhibition of Zaragoza, work for more than two weeks at the Expo Shanghai. |
Being a volunteer in the Expo leaves so much in one's life that it is difficult to suppress the desire to relive the experience. This was stated by the 22 Spanish volunteers who, not satisfied with the work at Zaragoza 2008, have traveled over 10,000 miles to work for more than two weeks at the Expo Shanghai.
The volunteers created a bridge between Zaragoza 2008 and Shanghai 2010, two global events of very different sizes and characteristics. And despite the obvious linguistic handicap, the Spanish are outperforming large dose of humor and unconditional support to his fellow Chinese.
The 22 Spaniards (19 volunteers and three coordinators) worked two years ago in the International Exhibition of Zaragoza (Aragon, Northern Spain) focused on water and sustainable development issues. With a range of ages from 18 years, like Julia Rodriguez, the youngest, to the 69-year-old Evan Marquez, the volunteers arrived on October 3rd and will stay in Shanghai until 18th.
October 12th, the day that Spain celebrates their national day in commemoration of the arrival to America by Christopher Columbus in 1492, the Spanish volunteers are set to meet with a group of 20 Expo Shanghai Chinese volunteers. Some of the Chinese volunteers had a learning period at Expo Zaragoza, as part of the intensive exchange plan between the two organizations. In?this event, Miguelín, the baby of the Pavilion of Spain; Fluvi, the mascot of Zaragoza 2008 and Haibao, mascot of Expo Shanghai 2010, escorted them.
After a training period of three days taught by the Shanghai Expo volunteers, they got their official uniform and offered information and guide to visitors 8 hours a day with the help of practicing translators.
Divided in two groups, half the volunteers go every morning to Zone C at Expo site, close to the Spanish Pavilion, while the second group is working with its Chinese partners in the Urban Best Practices Area (UBPA), next to the Madrid, Barcelona and Bilbao pavilions.
"For all of us Expo Zaragoza was a breaking point", said Elena Garcia Juango, one of those responsible for IEKA, the association created by former volunteers and workers at the end of Expo Zaragoza with the aim of preserving links and the so-called "Expo Soul". Actually, after the Expo, the city of Zaragoza has a permanent 2.000 volunteer staff who help in all sorts of cultural and sporting events.
Regarding the Shanghai experience, Garcia Juango thanks to the organization. "Chinese volunteers and translators are treating us greatly," she states. "It's wonderful to participate in an event like this, much larger than that of Zaragoza, but with a perfect organization". The volunteers will go visit various pavilions at Expo after their work schedule and will hold a farewell dinner with their Chinese colleagues on Saturday.
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| The 22 Spaniards (19 volunteers and three coordinators), who worked two years ago in the International Exhibition of Zaragoza, work for more than two weeks at the Expo Shanghai. |
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