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Volunteers in the dark over job descriptions
Volunteers for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference have expressed confusion over what they are expected to do at the event to be held in Bandung, West Java, on April 24
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olunteers for the commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the Asia-Africa Conference have expressed confusion over what they are expected to do at the event to be held in Bandung, West Java, on April 24.
Faizal Ramdhani, a student at the Indonesian Education University, said that since applying as a volunteer for the event in February, he and some 1,000 other volunteers had been told to attend the first meeting held for them on Sunday at the Alun-Alun Park. No meeting had ever been held for them before.
'We received the announcement last night [Saturday],' said Faizal, adding that they were told to bring a paintbrush with them but the paintbrushes were not needed.
Faizal, who hails from Garut, West Java, said the announcement, made on social media, stated the volunteers were to gather at six in the morning.
They were asked to paint buildings located around the Merdeka Building, the main venue of the event.
Clarissa Audrey, a student of state-run senior high school SMA 15 Bandung, and her friend Indira Dewi, told similar stories.
Clarissa said they were asked to help disseminate information about the event through social media but had not received detailed information to post on the Internet.
Confusion regarding the tasks that volunteer should perform at the event, according to Faizal, would not have arisen if the organizing committee had engaged in intensive communication with volunteers.
Separately Bandung Mayor Ridwan Kamil said the volunteers would be directed to help execute some 60 programs being conducted in Bandung.
He said some 10 programs would be organized by the city administrations and 30 others would be conducted by different communities.
They excluded other programs being managed by local people such as the people's parties held at the district level.
In the official social media account @asianafricancarnival, volunteers will be assigned to help out at a number of activities including the Solidarity Day Tribute to Soekarno and Mandela on April 21, the Bandung Arts and Craft Expo (April 21-22), the Bandung 1955 and Photo Exhibition of the 1955 Asia Africa Conference (April 21-26).
