THE spirit of community and enthusiasm for World Expo are inspiring foreign residents of Changning District to volunteer for the great fair. Fei Lai interviews two helpers.

While Chinese residents are eager to volunteer at World Expo 2010 Shanghai, the city's foreign residents too are keen to lend a hand at the Expo site and in their home districts.

Changning and other districts are encouraging their foreign residents to sign up and help with the Expo.

Rona Noyan from Turkey is head of Changning World Expo Volunteers' Service Team, comprised of expats living in the district. He wants more people to join.

Around 70 million visitors are expected during the Expo, including 4-5 million foreign visitors, Noyan notes.

"I hope I can provide them information about living in Shanghai, offer advice, do translation and many other things.

"All of us should do something to help prepare for the Expo," he says, "and I hope we can all point to achievements by the time it ends."

The Expo opens on May 1 and runs for six months.

Noyan, 50, has been living in Shanghai for more than 20 years. He came to China in 1983 and earned a master's degree in Chinese history at Wuhan University. He later worked for the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

He spent many years at the Turkish Embassy in Beijing. In 1996, he established the Turkish Consulate General in Shanghai and served as vice consul.

In 1999 he began work at the first Turkish bank in China. Today he is chief representative of Turkish Garanti Bank Shanghai branch.

His schedule is busy but he volunteers in his spare time. He started volunteering with the Ronghua Community Residents' Committee and Hongqiao Community many years ago.

"First I worked as a traffic volunteer directing traffic early in the morning," Noyan says. "Then I helped senior citizens and I cleaned up roads, buildings and gardens."

He has also been helping prepare for the Expo. As a resident representative, he does city inspections, checking sanitation at restaurants and shopping malls, and promoting good public manners.

For more than 10 years he helped 10 needy students in the Hongqiao area with their school expenses.

"I feel myself a member of this society and part of Shanghai citizenry," Noyan says. "I'd like to take on more activities at the city or district level.

"As a volunteer, I will try to make Expo visitors feel happy and consider Shanghai their home."

Changning District is developing fast and preparing for the Expo Shanghai.

"It has a special advantage as it has many foreign residents who are open to new ideas," he says.

Residents' committees in Changning are very welcoming, helping newcomers understand Chinese society and organizing many enriching activities.

Hideo Kasai, a Japanese citizen in Changning District, has lived in Shanghai since November 2007. When he was a primary school student, he attended the Expo '70 held in Osaka in 1970 when a new Japan unveiled itself to the world.

"That Expo in Japan impressed me greatly and shaped my life," he says. "Now that I'm in Shanghai and another Expo is coming, I hope the children of Shanghai and China can take advantage of the fair to think about and understand the world, the Earth and future of humanity."

Kasei has joined the World Expo Volunteers' Service Team and is eager to help people get to know Shanghai.

"Shanghai has become increasingly internationalized. I'm glad to witness the constant improvement of urban facilities and urban prosperity," he says.

"I'm sure when Expo opens we will enjoy a modern, clean and well-organized city.

"Our efforts will contribute to a very beautiful Shanghai and the World Expo will leave an unforgettable impression."

Application Guide for Volunteers for World Expo 2010 Shanghai

Volunteer work is essential for a successful Expo and it's also a major channel for the general public to take part in, contribute to and enjoy the Expo.

Here's how to sign up as an volunteer for the Expo site and stations in Changning District.

Recruitment Requirements

1. For volunteers working at Expo site, people should be born before April 1992; and for those working at Expo stations outside Expo site, people should be born before April 30, 1994.

They should be willing to take part in volunteer services at the Expo, take part in training and relevant activities before the event. They should have knowledge and skills needed for their posts and be in good health.

2. For foreign Expo volunteers in Changning District, they should be willing to take part in voluntary social services in communities and in the district. They should have a strong sense of social responsibility. No restriction on age, nationality, profession or required educational level.

How to Apply

1. For on-site or volunteer service stations outside the Expo site: go to the official Expo Website (www.expo2010.cn); or the World Expo Shanghai volunteer recruitment Website (www.expovol.com); or go to the Expo Volunteer Work Station, Changning Station. See below.

2. For those foreigners interested in becoming Expo volunteers in Changning District, they can get information at the English edition of the Changning District portal Website (www.changning.net); or go to the Expo volunteer station in Changning District. See below.

Recruitment Dates

Until December 31

Where to apply

1. Community Affairs Acceptance and Service Center of Tianshan Road Subdistrict

Address: 64 B, Tianshan No. 2 Residential Area at Loushanguan Road, adjacent to Tianshan Road

Postal code: 200051

Tel: 6228-7665, 6228-6101

Hours: Monday?Friday, 8:30am?5pm (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)

E-mail: cnexpovol@expovolunteer.online.sh.cn.

2. Gubei New Area Civic Center of Hongqiao Subdistrict

Address: B1, No. 2, Lane 258 Huangjincheng Ave

Postal code: 201103

Tel: 6270-7729

Hours: Monday&Friday, 8am-5pm (closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays)

E-mail: gubeilife@163.com.