VSO China general manager Simon Brown (L3) attends the press conference about Volunteering Expo 2011 in Beijing, Dec 2, 2011. [Hou Lei/chinadaily.com.cn]

An expo focusing on promoting volunteerism in China will be held in Beijing, Dec 4 to Dec 5, the organizing committee announced in a press conference Friday.

"Volunteering Expo 2011 & Volunteering for Harmonious Social Development Forum" was initiated by VSO, an independent international development organization.

This year's expo is the second one after it was successfully launched last year.

The theme of this year's expo is "Partnerships for Development", which emphasizes creating a harmonious cultural atmosphere to promote social development.

Participating organizations, enterprises and volunteers are expected to get training services during the expo to help improve their ability to manage volunteering programs.

"For the first time, the Volunteer Expo 2011 also provides a full day of training for volunteer program development and volunteer management to organizations interested in further developing volunteerism," Simon Brown, general manager of VSO China, said at the press conference.

There will be debates among participants on topics such as NGOs' role in social development, volunteering and innovative social management.

The expo will also mark the 10th anniversary of International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10).

The annual International Volunteer Day falls on Dec 5, which is aimed at thanking volunteers for their efforts and increasing public awareness about their contribution to society.

The public can take part in activities at the Expo through its official Weibo accounts: weibo.com/vexpo2011 and t.163.com/7617895526 or the official website: http://www.vexpo.org/