Ahead of Global Event, COP 26 Volunteer Programme has been launched on Wednesday 20 January. The UK will host the international summit at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021 and Glasgow City Council is looking for a team of around 1000 volunteers to support the staging of this globally significant event.
The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Applications close Wednesday, 31 March 2021.
These vital climate talks are expected to bring together the largest gathering of heads of state ever hosted in the UK, alongside climate experts and campaigners, to agree coordinated action to tackle the climate emergency.
A variety of volunteer roles will be available in both Glasgow and Edinburgh, including providing information on the conference and the venues, supporting delegates staying in and travelling around the city, and promoting the best of what Glasgow and Scotland has to offer.
What’s in it for you?
They are committed to supporting a diverse range of participants and ensuring that everybody has equal access to the Host City Volunteer programme. As a volunteer you will receive the following:
- Training on how to undertake your role with confidence;
- Information on COP26 and venues related to the conference;
- Information on venues where you may be located;
- A unique COP26 Volunteer uniform which is yours to wear with pride throughout your volunteering and keep as a memento of your experience;
- All meals when on shift;
- Team Leader support;
- First-hand experience of being involved in COP26;
- Civic pride – promoting the city and country on the world stage;
- Free transport when travelling to and from shifts within a defined geographical distance of the city centre;
- If you would like to participate in the programme and would like to discuss your individual support needs, please contact the team to discuss directly.
Skills
The list below is an indication of the kind of skills that would be valuable to any of our volunteer roles. Please see one of our full role descriptions for further details specific to each role:
- Friendly, outgoing and approachable manner;
- Great people skills and an ability to deal well with the public;
- Knowledge of Glasgow / Edinburgh;
- Enjoy being part of a team;
- Ability to work well under pressure;
- Problem solving mentality;
- Experience of other countries, cultures, and an empathy for the needs and behaviour of delegates from around the world;
- Clear communication skills, both written and oral;
- Leadership skills;
- Languages skills in speaking and/or translation;
- Administration / data entry and a keen attention to detail;
- Customer service skills.
Glasgow has firmly established itself among the best in the world at hosting world-class events and volunteers have long been at their centre. Our COP26 volunteers will provide delegates and visitors with our world-famous warm Glasgow welcome, ensuring they have the best possible experience. We are proud to be staging COP26 and I would encourage anyone interested in grasping this opportunity to step forward and be part of our volunteering team. You will be joining a collective of people who share your enthusiasm for the event, the cause and our vibrant city.
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor, Susan Aitken said, “Time and time again we see the generosity of the great British public in making global events a triumph, and we are asking you to play a part in making COP26 a huge success. This is an exciting opportunity to volunteer in Glasgow and help us all tackle climate change.”
COP26 President, Alok Sharma, “Being part of the volunteering programme is a cracking opportunity to represent your city. Through volunteering I’ve learned so many things and met so many people. Volunteering at COP26, in particular, will be a once-in-a-lifetime chance so for anyone thinking of applying, my advice would be: do it! Event volunteering is such a buzz, you get so much from it and it opens your mind. There’s also a community spirit among all the volunteers. You’re joining people from all walks of life and it gives you a warm feeling to know you’re part of that team.”
Ahead of taking on their roles, volunteers will receive a workshop on sustainability from the UN and be given the training and tools required to carry out their roles successfully and confidently. As part of the recruitment launch, local volunteering ambassadors from across the city have stepped up to be the face of the campaign and encourage others to get involved.
They spoke about their experience of volunteering and its many benefits, including gaining valuable life and career experience and new skills, meeting new people, having fun and feeling part of a community.
The UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit will bring parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The UK is committed to working with all countries and joining forces with civil society, companies and people on the frontline of climate change to inspire climate action ahead of COP26.
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