Crocus
Event Hall, Ulaanbaatar (June 24, 2016) – It was no ordinary Friday for the
local youth volunteers who are committing their time and energy in successfully
convening/hosting the ASEM 11 (11th Asia-Europe Meeting) and its
side events in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. More than 800 volunteers gathered for the
first time as a group to meet their peers, inspire one another and share their
experiences and expectations in volunteering for the ASEM 11 Summit and its proceeding
meetings since April 2016.
Mr.
Yesunmunkh, Advisor to the Prime Minister of Mongolia and ASEM Office of
Mongolia, welcomed the ASEM volunteers with warm and inspiring remarks. In his keynote
address, he highlighted the importance of volunteer contributions and how it greatly
helps the Mongolian Government to host the largest diplomatic gathering in
Mongolia’s history so far. Representatives of ASEM 11 Preparation Committee/Working
Group also attended the event and welcomed the youth volunteers to their
respective roles for the upcoming side events of the ASEM 11 Summit.
Senior officials of ASEM Office of Mongolia including the Ambassador Mr. Orgil, UNV (United Nations Volunteer) Programme Officer Ms. Miyeon Park and representatives of ASEM 11 Preparation Committee conducted a comprehensive and fruitful panel discussion on volunteer contribution to the ASEM 11, further underlining the importance of volunteer recognition in Mongolia.
ASEM Volunteer Talks
The first
ever “ASEM Volunteer Talks” based on the theme of INSPIRE IN ACTION, presented
in TED Talks format, was truly the highlight of the day. It featured three
local youth volunteers as guest speakers. Bilguun, Murun and Tugstsetseg shared
their experiences, expectation and personal stories with their peers and
inspired audiences to volunteer even after the ASEM period.
The first speaker, Bilguun, began his story stating that “I interpret volunteering as taking responsibility. The nature of my current volunteer task requires me to take on more responsibilities than I imagined. As a transportation and logistics volunteer, I welcome international delegations at the airport, escort participants during the meetings and back to their hotels. So it is safe to say that I am usually the first one to show up and the last one to leave” as he describes his duties and responsibilities in volunteering for the ASEM 11. Bilguun also shared how his volunteer experience helps him to improve his communications skills and expand his social circle.
After the first speaker, Murun shared his experience in volunteering for the 9th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Forum, the ASEM Senior Officials Meeting as well as for the 12th ASEM Finance Minister’s meeting were held between April and June.
As a final speaker, Tugstsetseg –
12th grade student from Mandal sum, Selenge province acknowledged
the benefits of volunteering to her personal growth when she shared how her 3
hour commute to Ulaanbaatar by train is not a big deal. Because ever since she
was registered as a youth volunteer, getting on that train to Ulaanbaatar to
attend volunteer trainings was one of the most enjoyable moments of her life. Although
she has not volunteered yet for previous side events of the ASEM 11, she looks
forward to volunteering in the upcoming Asia-Europe People’s Forum on 4-6, July.
Tugstsetseg wants to major in
International Relations at National University of Mongolia in coming years and
emphasized importance of gaining new experiences and insights as a volunteer.
She says “I learned a lot from volunteer trainings. Being a youth volunteer for
the ASEM 11 allows me to get involved with different environments and
situations.”
The stories
told by the speakers were absolutely engaging and relatable to most of the
local youth volunteers in their experiences and expectations. ASEM Volunteer
Day was an event full of surprises, fun moments, inspiring stories, and an
opportunity to come together for shared memories.
Towards the
end of the event, Ms. Enkhtuya from the ASEM 11 Volunteer Working Group
introduced all staff of the ASEM 11 Volunteer Station, including the 3 national
UN Volunteers deployed by the UN in Mongolia. She also shared the next steps
and tasks of the ASEM 11 volunteers for the 4 more proceeding ASEM meetings and
the ASEM Summit in July.
Besides the
ASEM Volunteers’ Day, there were several trainings and events organized to
build team spirit and motivate among the volunteers in June, such as the
participation in the Ulaanbaatar Marathon 2016, all volunteer retreat while
hiking as well as the retreat for volunteer group leaders.
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