By Wang Zhenghua (China Daily)
Updated: 2007-12-06 07:28

SHANGHAI: The city on Wednesday invited people to send in entries for logos and slogans for volunteers who will serve at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

A volunteer from Yinchuan, Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region attaches a "smile" sticker to a child's coat on the 22nd International Volunteer Day December 5, 2007. [Xinhua]

Worldwide artists were encouraged to contribute to the international event - the first comprehensive expo held in a developing country - by the end of April, the Bureau of the Shanghai World Expo Coordination announced yesterday.

The invitation also coincided with the 22nd International Volunteer Day.

Shanghai started asking for entries for the Expo's theme song, volunteers' song and mascot earlier this year.

"Apart from nations, organizations and enterprises, volunteers represent the essential participation of the general public in the global event," said Xu Weiguo, deputy Party chief of the coordination bureau.

"This example of volunteerism provides a significant platform to display the spirit of our city."

Although it is still too early to decide how many expo volunteers are needed, Xu said he has received enthusiastic responses from both domestic and overseas individuals.

Promoting the volunteers' logo and slogan will help spread the word on how more can contribute their time and energy to the international event, he said.

Echoing the expo theme of a "Better City, Better Life", the logo and slogan should embody the concepts of "understanding, communication, gathering and cooperation".

The entries should combine Chinese and international features, as well as reflect the volunteers' spirit of dedication, fraternity, mutual-aid and progress. In particular, logo entries should blend the elements of Shanghai and the Expo in the year 2010, and incorporate the Expo's theme and volunteerism, including their Chinese versions.