Voluntarism hailed in expo

BEIJING - The Volunteering Expo 2012 sponsored by the Voluntary Service Overseas （VSO）, China Communist Youth League Beijing Committee, and the Beijing Volunteer Federation, was held in Peking University on Dec 18 and 19.

In the main forum, themed "Valuing Volunteering for A Beautiful China", the General Manager of VSO China - Fanny Chan, the Deputy Country Director of UNDP China - Patrick Haverman, the Deputy Director of CICETE - Zhao Zhongyi, the 2nd Secretary in the Political Section of the British Embassy China - Coroline Quinn and Yang Haibin, the vice-director of the Beijing Youth League, together with local and international NGOs, academies, corporates, and foundations, gave speeches briefing current trends in voluntary service both in China and around the world.

PwC senior CSR manager Callum Douglas said well managed and inclusive corporate volunteering programs can bring huge value to society.

“In China and across the world, we are seeing more and more examples of how skill-based volunteering is having a positive impact on society. This will play an important role in continuing to build a beautiful China."

In the sub-forums, participants also discussed many topics concerning volunteering service including corporate volunteering, community volunteering and disaster relief volunteering platforms.

The expo has attracted between 800 and 1000 participants from more than 60 volunteering service organizations, providing an opportunity and platform for government departments, civil associations and organizations to discuss hot topics in the volunteering service sector.