When Julian Azzopardi left Malta for a year of voluntary work around the world, little did he realise that his priorities would change and the 12-months would drag on into years.

A European Commission desk officer responsible for the implementation of Malta's national strategic framework, Mr Azzopardi left Malta in 2006 for a "12-month voluntary work trip" around the world through India, South Africa, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela.

He has since led groups of volunteers to provide food for families living alongside train tracks, under plastic wraps and making a living out of the sale of floral necklaces.

Mr Azzopardi also organised excursions for children with special needs residing with the Missionaries of Charity in Culcutta and helped teach infants attending the day care cetnres in Manaus, caring for HIV/AIDS orphans in Johannesburg, and physical and mental disabilites in Cusco and Lima, Peru.

He has spent nights with patients in hospital in Cocorote, Venezuela, battling for visitation rights, medication and special care for the residents of the hospice.

The young volunteer engaged locals in the main square of San Felipe a neighbouring town, to provide much needed wheelchairs and transportation for young boys with special needs who also lived in the hospice.

He is currently carrying out voluntary work in South Africa but will be moving to Hamamet in Tunisia between November 16 and 21 where he will be honoured as an "Outstanding Young Person of the World for 2009" in the field of humanitarian and voluntary leadership during the 64th Junior Chamber International Congress.

Junior Chamber International, is an independent, worldwide federation of young professionals and entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 40. JCI provides the opportunity for young people to develop their leadership and entrepreneurship skills to create positive change.