Volunteers at the World Youth Day (WYD) need more than just a friendly smile. In an international event with hundreds of thousands of participants, a single incorrect direction can disrupt the flow of attendees and lead to crowding or safety incidents.
The first principle of effective volunteering is to avoid pretending to know what you do not. If you are uncertain about schedules or routes, do not provide random answers; instead, verify with official materials or designated personnel.
The second principle is to respect your role and limitations. While volunteers can assist with directions and registration checks, they must immediately refer medical emergencies, crime reports, and crowd control to professionals such as medical staff, police, or firefighters. Volunteers should also avoid moving fallen participants or personally keeping lost items. When identifying a risk, it is crucial to report the location, situation, and required assistance clearly and concisely.
The third principle is to show respect for differences. Volunteers should refrain from asking overly personal questions or taking photos without consent based on participants' nationality, language, race, disability, religion, or gender. Instead of repeating loudly when there is a language barrier, use simple expressions, visuals, or official translation tools. When assisting participants with disabilities, it is important to first ask what kind of help they need.
Protecting oneself is also part of volunteering. If you experience dizziness or exhaustion due to extreme heat, do not push through; inform a supervisor and take a break. In cases of verbal abuse, harassment, or discrimination, do not handle it alone; utilize the designated reporting channels. It is important not to romanticize working without breaks as dedication.
A good volunteer is not someone who tries to solve every problem alone. They know what they can do and when to hand over responsibilities to on-site leaders or professionals. Calm actions of 'stop, verify, and connect' ensure the safety of both pilgrims and volunteers.
The first principle of effective volunteering is to avoid pretending to know what you do not. If you are uncertain about schedules or routes, do not provide random answers; instead, verify with official materials or designated personnel.
The second principle is to respect your role and limitations. While volunteers can assist with directions and registration checks, they must immediately refer medical emergencies, crime reports, and crowd control to professionals such as medical staff, police, or firefighters. Volunteers should also avoid moving fallen participants or personally keeping lost items. When identifying a risk, it is crucial to report the location, situation, and required assistance clearly and concisely.
The third principle is to show respect for differences. Volunteers should refrain from asking overly personal questions or taking photos without consent based on participants' nationality, language, race, disability, religion, or gender. Instead of repeating loudly when there is a language barrier, use simple expressions, visuals, or official translation tools. When assisting participants with disabilities, it is important to first ask what kind of help they need.
Protecting oneself is also part of volunteering. If you experience dizziness or exhaustion due to extreme heat, do not push through; inform a supervisor and take a break. In cases of verbal abuse, harassment, or discrimination, do not handle it alone; utilize the designated reporting channels. It is important not to romanticize working without breaks as dedication.
A good volunteer is not someone who tries to solve every problem alone. They know what they can do and when to hand over responsibilities to on-site leaders or professionals. Calm actions of 'stop, verify, and connect' ensure the safety of both pilgrims and volunteers.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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