|
Passage B
Job Volunteers
The Volunteers Program of the City of Turin will be presented about three years before the Olympics. To join - as occurred in 2002 in Salt Lake City - it is necessary to fill out a registration form.
To coincide with the 2006 Winter Olympics in Italy, the City of Turin, the Province of Turin and Piedmont Region have jointly promoted the project which is aimed at young people aged 18 to 25 when the Olympics take place and who would like to contribute to the success of the Olympic Games by offering voluntary aid.
In order to make the experience an opportunity to grow and develop, those who take part in the project will be given a wide range of training opportunities in various fields: from languages to IT, from communication to inter-culture, from history to tourism and from art to sport, etc.
In 2006, the City of Turin, Italy, will host the Winter Olympics. Volunteers will be recruited for many important tasks. In harmony with the Olympic spirit, the city of Turin on its own initiative has launched the project Youth of 2006, for children who in 2006 will be between 18 and 25 years old. The purpose is to involve right from the present the young people of the city and, through some training, have them participate as "ambassadors" of Turin: ambassadors of culture, but also ambassadors of peace and brotherhood. As volunteers of this greatest sporting event, they can also be regarded as belonging to these ambassadors.
An army for all ages
One of the elements that contribute to the success of the Olympic Games is the army of volunteers that, with enthusiasm and dedication, make sure everything runs smoothly and that the athletes and the public feel at ease during their stay. No matter how well organized the staff of the Organizing Committee is, it cannot manage an event this size without the help of volunteers. Perfectly incarnating the Olympic-spirit, the volunteers offer their services in many different activities: from welcoming people at the airports and railway stations to providing security at the competition venues, from collaborating with the catering service to giving a hand in administrative tasks, from ticket sales to driving the official automobiles. Each talent is valued and, precisely for this reason, there are no age limits: in some editions there have been more retirees and housewives than young people.
Knowledge of foreign language is essential
There are essentially three basic requisites for becoming a volunteer of the Olympics: to be at least 18 years old, speak English (but knowing other foreign languages as well is always an advantage) and have the spirit to serve. You do not need to live in the region that is holding the Games. Surely, those who were born and raised nearby and know Turin and its mountains, can be useful for accompanying the athletes in their free time and collaborating in cultural initiatives.
However, even those from other regions or countries can join the group of volunteers. The Olympics are a transnational event and everyone should have the opportunity to participate in this adventure. Obviously, except for room and board and the appropriate 'work clothes', the volunteers are not paid. But participating in and experiencing one of the most exciting events in the world firsthand is a big deal.
|