Recruitment of Volunteers for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games

Introduction

The people of Hong Kong are renowned for being proactive in serving the community and for their enthusiasm in participating in a wide range of voluntary activities. The 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide the people of Hong Kong with precious opportunities in contributing to these important international events.

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) has entrusted the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to conduct the recruitment drive in Hong Kong. The Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) will be responsible for planning, co-ordinating and carrying out the recruitment exercise.

Under the arrangement agreed with BOCOG, HAB 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 recruitment exercise for the residents of Hong Kong has already started on 28 March 2007. We have conducted two rounds of selection. The last round of selection written test will be conducted on 5 April 2008. For more details, please refer to "What's New".

A task force chaired by the Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs will be set up to provide steer for the recruitment and training exercises, and to devise selection strategies and criteria, within the overall framework of BOCOG.

Basic Requirements of Volunteers

According to the General Policy for Volunteers for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games and the related documents, Hong Kong residents, irrespective of nationalities, races or religions, may apply to become a Volunteer for the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games. The basic requirements for Volunteers are as follows:

1. Being able to voluntarily serve the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic games;
   
   
2. Born on or before June 30, 1990, and being in good health;
   
   
3. Abiding by China's laws and regulations;
   
   
4. Being able to participate in the pre-Games trainings and related activities, including the on-site training in Beijing seven days before the service period;
   
   
5. Being able to serve for more than seven days during the Olympic and Paralympic Games;
   
   
6. Being able to communicate in foreign language(s) in the case of native Chinese speakers, and being able to communicate in Chinese in the case of non-native Chinese speakers; and
   
   
7. Possessing professional knowledge and skills necessary 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. Selection criteria will include applicants' proficiency in Putonghua and foreign languages, possession of expertise, experience in large-scale voluntary services and the duration of availability for the Games. For foreign language proficiency, those who know languages which are less extensively used will be particularly considered.

In addition, Volunteers from Hong Kong are required to bear the cost of travelling between Hong Kong and Beijing, accommodation during the training and service periods, and meals during non-service hours.

Application to become Volunteers

Before 31 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.

If you want to apply for a Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games-time Volunteer position, please follow the following steps:

1. Read the Important Statements on the Collection and Use of Personal Data;
   
   
2. Click the animated icon on the left to visit and read BOCOG's General Policy, Guide to Application and Instructions for Filling In the Application Forms;
   
   
3. Click the "Signing Up" icon at the bottom of the page for the BOCOG's materials, from which you will be redirected to an online application form in an external website hosted by BOCOG.

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 Important Statements on the Collection and Use of Personal Data.

Recruitment and Training Exercises

HAB 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.

Information on the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games

For more details about the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games and the recruitment of volunteers, please visit the official site of the 2008 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games (www.beijing2008.cn).

Enquiries

General enquiries on the recruitment exercise launched by BOCOG for residents of Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, overseas Chinese and foreigners:

• Beijing Olympic Games Hotline: (86)10-12308 (24-hour hotline services in Chinese and English)

Specific enquiries relating to Hong Kong's recruitment exercise:

• Hotline: 2591-6690 (from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Sunday);
  
  
• Hotline: 2835-1331 (from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday, except public holidays); or
  
  
• Email: volunteer@hab.gov.hk

Important Statements on the Collection and Use of Personal Data

All personal data provided during the course of application will be processed by both the Beijing and Hong Kong authorities. Applicants should read carefully the relevant Important Statements on the Collection and Use of Personal Data before submitting applications.

1. All personal data provided by Hong Kong residents in the course of application for being a volunteer under 'Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games-time Volunteers Recruitment' ("Recruitment Exercise) will be used by the Chinese Government, The Beijing Organizing Committee for the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), organizations designated by BOCOG and the authorized organizations, and the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) for the purposes in respect of and in connection with the application and selection of volunteers under the said Recruitment Exercise, including the conducting of personal background check.
   
   
2. BOCOG, organizations designated by BOCOG and authorized organizations will transfer the personal data as mentioned in paragraph 1 to the Government of the HKSAR for the purposes in respect of and in connection with the processing of application, selection, personal background check and making nomination.
   
   
3. The Government of the HKSAR will use the personal data collected in the course of the application, or copies of which, for the purposes in respect of and in connection with the processing of application, selection, personal background check and making nomination. The Government of the HKSAR will also disclose or transfer such personal data, or copies of which, to the government departments/authorities relevant or necessary for the aforementioned purposes.
   
   
4. With respect to the Home Affairs Bureau's policy on the applicants' personal data, please refer to the Bureau's Privacy Policy Statement. If you have any queries about our Privacy Policy and Practices, please e-mail them to "hab1@hab.gov.hk".