THE Australian Institute of International Affairs is putting together a team of volunteers to assist at foreign missions around Canberra during the 2015 Windows to the World.

The AIIA is working with the ACT government to present the second biennial Windows to the World program of Embassy and High Commission open days around Canberra over the four weekends of Floriade (19, 26 & 27 September and 3, 10 & 11 October).

The first program in 2013 had 38 foreign missions involved with over 35,000 visitors participating and this year is set to be even bigger with almost 50 missions on board.

Some missions will offer open days where people can visit the grounds, while others will offer smaller tours and experiences. Missions already on board include Japan, United States of America, Greece, the Netherlands, Algeria, France, Botswana, Mongolia, Malaysia, Thailand, Spain and many others.

The AIIA National Office is looking for volunteers to assist throughout this fantastic event. This will be an opportunity to step inside a variety of embassies and high commissions around Canberra and see how they operate. They require volunteers for several different roles:

• Volunteers are needed for general assistance at the entrance of missions including welcoming visitors, keeping track of the numbers of visitors entering the grounds, asking to see visitors’ online registration and cross checking details against their ID, directing visitors towards tour commencement points, stamping Windows to the World ‘passports’, etc.
• The AIIA would like to conduct surveys throughout the event targeting visitors as they leave the foreign missions. This survey would be brief and focus on their individual experiences, what they enjoyed most and any suggestions for improvement.
• A limited amount of roles will be available for volunteers to work inside the foreign missions on tasks designated by the mission staff.

Uniforms will be provided for volunteers during Windows to the World.

The dates of the program are 19, 26 & 27 September and 3, 10 & 11 October.

Volunteer briefing sessions will be held in the lead up to the program.

If you are interested in volunteering fill out the volunteer registration form and return it by Friday 31 July to: windows@internationalaffairs.org.au