More than 2,300 applications received for NATO Summit Volunteers

22.09.2006

2,361 people from across the country have applied to be among the volunteers who will give first hand help at the Summit of NATO Heads of State and Government.  The assistance of volunteers is essential during the last weeks leading up to every important event and Latvia can report to the international community that it has received a staggering four applications for every available volunteer position.

Applications show a range of all ages.  A majority of Volunteer Applicants are between 18 and 23 years of age and they are pupils from the upper grades of high schools and universities. And there are applications from many people over the age of 30, and from many professions, teachers among them.  Of the student group, the most heavily represented universities in the applications are the University of Latvia, Riga Technical University, Riga Stradiņš University, Vidzeme University College, and the Banking Institution of Higher Education.
The applications show an interest from around the country.  The majority of applicants are local to the Summit, coming from Riga City and the District of Riga. But many applications have also been received from the districts of Jelgava, Sigulda, and Ogre, the towns of Valmiera, Liepāja, and Daugavpils with a high number from the regions.

Most applicants are stating that the unique experience of working within a truly international environment on a world-scale is their reason for wanting to be involved with organizing the NATO Summit.  Students of international politics and public relations are saying they know that this will be their chance to see theory come to life in practice.

The overwhelming response of the people of Latvia to the one public appeal for volunteers has proved a delightful surprise to the NATO Summit Task Force.  While the size of the response is a surprise, the spirit in the response is not.  We express our thanks to everybody who showed such interest, personal initiative and enthusiasm and we invite people to look for chances to volunteer for similar activities from now on. It is a proud moment for Latvia to have while the world is watching.

Because there are four candidates for every one position, the selection of the actual volunteers will need to be done with a competitive interview process of selected applicants. Starting immediately, candidates will be invited to interviews to assess their English language skills, communication skills and their ability to respond well in different situations.  The results of the competition are hoped to be announced at the beginning of October.

The Task Force has estimated that it will take at least 600 volunteers to ensure a successful NATO Summit.  They will work as assistants to summit organizers in a full range of activities, from the huge Summit Media Centre, to the organization of the international policy experts’ conference, to the many cultural events, to the key work of smooth coordination of transportation, logistics and information technology.

The volunteers will be working from November 13 - 30.

This information was provided by:
Elīna Lazdāne
Head of NATO Summit Latvia Press Centre
NATO Summit Latvia Press Centre
Phone: [+371] 701 7764
E-mail summitpress@mod.gov.lv