Expo 2020 Dubai honoured its volunteers with special awards

DUBAI: In line with the United Arab Emirates and Expo 2020 Dubai’s dedication to volunteerism, a group of outstanding volunteers were celebrated for their commitment and contribution to bringing the World Expo to life, with award ceremonies. 

The Expo HEROes Awards Ceremony recognised and celebrated nine extraordinary volunteers who made this World Expo an experience to remember for everyone they met. Nominated by their volunteer peers and selected by a panel of Expo judges, more than 300 volunteers were nominated for truly exemplifying Expo 2020 Dubai’s HERO standards.

Each award is based on four essential standards: ‘Welcoming the world award’ for being hospitable; ‘Shining Star award’ for being exceptional; ‘Remarkable Conduct award’ for being responsible; and ‘Positive Performance award’ for being optimistic.

Volunteers play a vital role in ensuring the success of Expo 2020 Dubai, and each of the nine awardees was given a trophy and a certificate by Abeer Al Hosani, Director of Expo 2020 Dubai Volunteers, for their contribution.

Over the past five months of Expo 2020 Dubai, dozens of visitors have also expressed their positive feedback for volunteers who have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help make their experience extra special.

More than 1,400 nominations were sent in through QR codes set up around the site and a link on Expo 2020 Dubai’s website. A team of Expo judges selected the top 50 Golden Hearts – 50 in recognition and celebration of the 50^th Jubilee – for February and were given a trophy.

Hundreds of additional nominations have been sent since voting closed, but other volunteers will have the chance to be awarded during the March Golden Hearts awards later this month before the end of the event.

A total of 30,000 volunteers – UAE nationals and expatriates – have come together from across the UAE to help deliver an exceptional World Expo for the millions of visitors and more than 200 pavilion participants, making it the largest volunteer programme in the country.

Demonstrating the programme’s core values of respect, commitment, integrity, knowledge and enthusiasm, Expo Volunteers play an essential role in welcoming the world for 182 visually striking, intellectually enlightening and emotionally inspiring days.

Volunteerism is a key component of the UAE Vision 2021 National Agenda, and each volunteer demonstrates the core values of the Expo 2020 Volunteers Programme. Designed with diversity and flexibility in mind, the programme welcomed applications from everyone residing in the UAE over the age of 18, regardless of their nationality or education level, as long as they are fluent in English, possess strong communication skills and are able to volunteer for 10 shifts.

Source: Expo 2020 Website