Dubai: Expo 2020 Dubai has launched a hunt for more than 30,000 adult volunteers who will be the ‘face’ of the largest global gathering ever to be staged in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.
The volunteers, of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds, will play a crucial role in Expo, welcoming up to 25 million visitors during the six-month event. Of these, 70 per cent are expected to come from outside the UAE, an exceptional proportion in the 166-year history of world expos.
Preparations for Expo are already well under way and volunteers have the opportunity to be involved in the journey. Volunteers can participate in Expo events leading up to 2020, as well as brainstorming sessions that could see their ideas included in the plans, in line with Expo 2020’s main theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’.
During Expo, there will be more than 45 volunteering roles — from welcoming guests and guiding them around the Expo districts to managing events with more than 16 million volunteering hours across 173 days. Volunteers will gain hands-on experience, exposure and work-ready skills as they help to put up one of the world’s largest events.
- Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi
“Expo 2020 is a global event for everyone to learn, innovate, create, and have fun by sharing ideas and working together and we are proud to include opportunities for more than 30,000 volunteers from any age, nationality or background, reflecting the diversity of our Expo and our nation,” said Reem Ebrahim Al Hashemi, Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau.
She pointed out that youth are at the core of Expo 2020 and volunteering for the event is a great opportunity and experience for them.
“We have created strategic roles to ensure volunteers get the best out of their experience, including skills that they can go on to use in the workplace or in their daily lives. They will be the “face” of the event since most of our visitors will have an initial contact to Expo through meeting a volunteer,” added Al Hashemi.
Meanwhile, Najla Mohammad Al Awar, Minister of Community Development, pointed out that “a solid foundation for a nation is a society that understands the value of giving”, referring to volunteering as an important role in the UAE’s Vision 2021, which strives towards a cohesive and inclusive society.
“This national Expo 2020 Volunteer Programme will provide opportunities to thousands of UAE citizens and residents from a wide variety of countries and backgrounds to act as ambassadors for the UAE, showcasing to the world our vibrant nation while strengthening partnerships and enabling social development,” said Al Awar.
More than than 200 international participants including countries, companies, NGOs and educational institutions are set to participate, making Expo 2020 one of the most inclusive in the history of world expos.
“We look forward to welcoming all nationals and residents in the UAE to our Expo 2020 Volunteers community. Following the launch of the registration portal, we will focus on attracting various groups of society, including university students, housewives, retirees, employees and people of determination. There will be opportunities for everyone, in line with Expo 2020’s theme,” added Najeeb Mohammad Al Ali, executive director, Expo 2020 Dubai Bureau.
Expo 2020 Dubai will be a celebration of human ingenuity around the theme, ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, built on three pillars: Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability.
