During the days since the 2018 Joint HumanitarianEntrepreneurship Summer Academy begun in Beijing, for hours students seated inclass, listened to lectures on SDGs, and in groups they debated about globalchallenges including structure of humanitarian system. When the moment toreflect on their learning and explore realities beyond classroom knowledgecame, they took a Subway ride to Beijing Volunteer Service Federation (BVF) andChina Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA)

SummerAcademy Students at Beijing Volunteer Service Federation Office

BVF is a social organization functioning as ahub connecting volunteer organizations of different sectors and at differentlevels. Within BVF, there is Beijing Volunteer Service Guidance Center that isresponsible for planning, coordinating and promoting volunteer service in thecity. The center has nine departments including International AffairsDepartment.

BeijingVolunteer Service Federation Offices

BVF staff Lin Xiaoxiao and Qi welcomed thestudents and took them for a tour of different sections of the workplace. Theguide-women showed them pictures and other displays that depict the history,accomplishments and operations of BVF within China and abroad.

Qi and Lin Xiaoxiao welcoming students

“The development of Beijing volunteer servicesdates back to 2003 with the establishment of Beijing Volunteer Association asthe first provincial level volunteer association in China,” said Lin Xiaoxiao.

LinXiaoxiao explaining the development of BVF

By 2016, volunteer platform in Beijingregistered 3, 679, 184 volunteers and 56, 821 volunteer organizations. BVF hasreceived more than 815 delegates of volunteer organizations from 50 countriesand dispatched over 86 volunteers to over 20 countries and regions forinternational exchanges. Volunteer service has also gained internationalrecognition by China’s involvement in the Development of InternationalVolunteer Service and hosting of the first International Volunteer ServiceExchange Conference in Beijing.

Today, volunteers from China work alongsideother international volunteer organizations including the UN Volunteers; theyare deployed all over the world in places where their services are needed themost.

Studentsappreciating the work of BVF Worldwide and China’s efforts to achieve SDGs

The volunteer service in China hastremendously expanded its capacity to provide excellent services during majornational and international events including conferences and celebrations. Dailyservice volunteers have helped persons with disabilities and other disadvantagedto get access to community facilities and cultural and educational service.

Qisharing narrating success stories of the BVF in pictures

Urban management volunteers have providedoutstanding and selfless services during emergency response, assistedpassengers in subways, and participated in environmental protection matters.Volunteers have further rendered great service during mega events includinglarge conferences, large exhibitions, and sports events such as the OlympicGames.

LinXiaoxiao explaining major activities of the BVF

Students were privileged to meet one of theoldest and celebrated volunteer, popularly known as Grandma Cai. She is over 80years old and has dedicated her life to volunteer services for over 10 years.The old woman appeared healthy, strong and charismatic enough to inspire newgenerations on volunteer service.

GrandmaCai addressing Summer Academy Students

“I used to suffer from cancer; however, withmy commitment to volunteer services here at BVF, I have found myself healed,and not only that, the volunteer service enriches my soul and provides for allmy personal needs,” she said. A hugepicture of her in the middle of many others is exhibited on the wall inrecognition of her exceptional long-term volunteer services.

GrandmaCai portrait with other prominent figures in Volunteer Service in China

Students were thrilled to discover how Chinahas applied innovative ideas to address the many challenges that current globalhumanitarian system is facing in its attempt to achieve SDGs. The China’svolunteer service through elaborate research on volunteerism, recruitment andtraining of highly skilled volunteers is helping to address a number of globalchallenges such as poverty, disasters and humanitarian crisis within andworldwide.

Edwardfrom BNU and students from other universities admiring BVF World Collections

In final wrap-up, theBVF staffs shared their personal backgrounds and experiences on volunteerismand BVF cooperation with UN Volunteers and other international volunteerorganizations in effort to attain SDGs.

Debriefingsession in the BVF Conference Room

Students had a chance to ask questions, totalk about the specific experiences on volunteerism in their countries, andshare their thoughts on the visit to BVF.Then it was time to bid farewell; all students gathered for a groupphoto and left the place with gratitude and smiles on their way to anotherorganization called China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation (CFPA).

Delightedstudents after wrap-up events

At China Foundation for Poverty AlleviationOffices, students were welcomed and introduced to the structure and work of theorganization with a presentation and tour of the building.

IntroducingChina Foundation for Poverty Alleviation

CFPA was established in 1989 and providesvarious poverty alleviation related programs both domestically within China andabroad, focusing on health, education, and rural livelihoods in particular.

Studentswere interested in CFPA activities

Although registered as a Non-GovernmentalOrganization, it is affiliated with the Ministry of Civil Affairs. When askedwhat the organization will do after 2020, when China aims to have eradicatedpoverty, the host jokingly said he did not know but he welcomes that day, andhe was sure there would be more useful work beyond that anyway.

CFPA staff and students at the end of the tourAllthe way with smiles

WrittenBy: Lwana Palwendo Kamanga & Joseph Morgan Scally

EditedBy: Xu Shiling

PhotosBy: Lwana & Edward