Written by: Li Junzhi/Ling Anqi

On September 15, 2008, after more than 30 hours of flight from Spain to Shanghai, the arrival of the last volunteer team marked a perfect ending to the Shanghai Volunteer Action to Expo 2008 Zaragoza Spain.

This action, the first in Shanghai’s history to send volunteers to overseas event, will be remembered as a milestone.

71 participating volunteers had spared no effort in this three-month action, from delivering, flyers and wheeling disabled to learning management model and promoting Expo 2010.

With the conviction of serving the Expo, they welcomed challenges and worked in complete concentration, winning high praises in every aspect.

With the attitude of practicing, they tried and experienced all details of the event for the preparation of Expo 2010 Shanghai China.

With the spirit of devotion, they have embodied to the fullest extent the meaning of volunteer and the human connotation of the World Exposition.

As remarked by Mr. V. G. Loscertales, Secretary-General of the International Exhibitions Bureau, volunteers are of great importance to the success of the Expo by bridging the event with the rest of the society. While the number of volunteers in Expo 2010 Shanghai China is expected to reach a scale of 100,000. Expo 2008 Zaragoza became an invaluable opportunity to be learned from, as well as an effective platform to promote Expo 2010 ahead of time, through the hard work of the volunteers.

In 2010, you are possible to be welcomed by many of them and new volunteers standing beside them, by the Huangpu River, in front of China Pavilion, and at every corner in the city of Shanghai…