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The Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) today (March 28) launched a recruitment campaign among residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, as well as overseas Chinese and foreigners to serve as volunteers in the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games at Beijing.
BOCOG has entrusted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to conduct the recruitment drive in Hong Kong. The Home Affairs Bureau will be responsible for planning, co-ordinating and carrying out the recruitment exercise. The Deputy Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Donald Tong, attended today's launching press conference in Beijing.
"Many people in Hong Kong are excited about the opportunity to serve in the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games as volunteers. We are very pleased that the recruitment drive is now under way," a bureau spokesman said.
Under the arrangement agreed with BOCOG, the Home Affairs Bureau will be responsible for processing applications, selecting and nominating candidates for BOCOG's consideration as well as providing applicable training for selected volunteers. To ensure consistency with recruitment in other places, this work will be carried out within a framework stipulated by BOCOG, supported by close and regular liaison.
"The volunteer programme will present an opportunity for Hong Kong people to participate in this international sport event held for the first time on Chinese soil. It will bring volunteers national pride. The bureau is committed to the successful implementation of the recruitment exercise in Hong Kong," the spokesman said.
A task force chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs will be set up to provide direction for the recruitment and training exercises, and to devise selection strategies and criteria, within the overall framework of BOCOG.
In accordance with BOCOG's stipulated criteria, Hong Kong residents born on or before June 30, 1990, irrespective of race or religion, may apply to become a volunteer for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Apart from the age requirement, other basic requirements for the volunteers are as follows:
* Being able to voluntarily serve the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games;
* Being in good health;
* Abiding by China's laws and regulations;
* Being able to participate in the pre-Games training and related activities, including the on-site training in Beijing seven days before the service period;
* Being able to serve more than seven days during the duration of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games;
* Being able to communicate in Chinese in the case of non-native Chinese speakers, and being able to communicate in foreign language(s) in the case of native Chinese speakers; and
* Being in possession of professional knowledge and skills for the posts.
It is possible that the task force might add further screening or selection criteria having regard to the response received and after consulting BOCOG.
In addition, volunteers from Hong Kong are required to bear the cost of traveling between Hong Kong and Beijing, accommodation during the training and service periods, and meals during non-service hours.
From now until March, 2008, Hong Kong residents may apply to BOCOG to become volunteers. Only online submission of application forms via BOCOG's website will be accepted. The bureau has set up a webpage (www.hab.gov.hk/en/whats_new/Olympic.htm) providing details about the recruitment exercise in Hong Kong. The webpage also provides a link to BOCOG's general policy, guide to application and instructions for filling in the application forms as well as BOCOG's online application form. All personal data provided during the course of application will be processed by both the Hong Kong and Beijing authorities. Applicants should read carefully the relevant statements on the collection and use of personal data before submitting applications.
The bureau will conduct initial screening based on objective criteria and invite shortlisted applicants for a written assessment and interview, with the aim of nominating appropriate candidates for consideration by BOCOG. BOCOG retains the final decision over the selection of candidates and will announce the final selection results in May, 2008.
Further details on training will be announced in due course on the bureau's website. Individual shortlisted candidates will be notified by email.
For more information on the recruitment exercise, please visit:
* Official Website of the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games (www.beijing2008.cn); and
* Home Affairs Bureau's website (www.hab.gov.hk/en/whats_new/Olympic.htm)
For general enquiries on the recruitment exercise launched by BOCOG for residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, overseas Chinese and foreigners, please call the Beijing Olympics Games Hotline at (86)10-12308 for 24-hour consulting services in Chinese and English. For specific enquiries relating to Hong Kong's recruitment exercise, please call 2591 6690 (from 9am to 6pm on Monday to Sunday) or 2835 1331 (from 9am to 6pm on Monday to Friday, except public holidays) or email to volunteer@hab.gov.hk.
Ends/Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Issued at HKT 18:13
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