"The Beijing Olympics and Para-Olympics will provide an invaluable opportunity for the development of volunteer services in Beijing and across the country," said an official with the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee at a press conference on July 16.
Mr. Zhang Juming, vice director of the Volunteers Department of the Committee, explained the legacies of volunteer service that would carry on after the Olympic and the Para-Olympic Games. First, he noted, are the intangible assets, including the volunteerism reflected in the Olympics, the experience in recruiting and managing volunteers, the culture of volunteer teams and the promotion of volunteer logos.
Many tangible results will remain after the Olympics, including the Volunteers' Square at the Olympic Park, the Beijing Voluntary Service Foundation, the volunteer service information system, voluntary service stations in city operations, multi-colored "smile wristlets" (representing commitments to helping others, environmental protection, an enterprising spirit, courtesy, and honesty), the 12355 volunteer hotline, and volunteer service in public welfare projects.
As millions of volunteers, together with a large number of experts on voluntary services, will work during the Olympics and continue contributing to volunteer service development.
The Olympics has also boosted communication and cooperation between Beijing volunteer organizations and UN Volunteers and other countries and areas where voluntary services are in full swing.
By People's Daily Online
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