Home || About the Human Rights Center || Applied Human Rights Research || Educational Tools || Field and Training Opportunities ||
Human Rights On-Line || Learning Communities & Partnerships || Co-Directors and Advisory Board
MIFTAH
PO Box 38588
Jerusalem, 97800
Phone: (972-2) 585-1842
Website: www.miftah.org/Index.cfm
Email: info@miftah.org
Language: Arabic or Hebrew strongly suggested
Salary: Unpaid
Miftah is a Palestinian, Jerusalem-based, independent institution committed to fostering the principles of democracy and effective dialogue based on the free and candid exchange of information and ideas. Established in January 1999, Miftah's underlying premise is the integration of several processes: Palestinian nation-building and empowerment on the basis of the principles of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and participatory governance; international reconciliation and cooperation; the gathering and dissemination of information and the active participation in the global dialogue as an equal partner.
A recent Minnesota intern with MIFTA aided in the drafting of a fifty page proposal based on European Union guidelines to implement an education plan in Palestinian schools in eat Jerusalem on principles of human rights, gender equality, and democracy as well as assisting in the documentation of human rights violations by the Israeli government. Summer internships are welcome. Please contact MIFTAH directly for more information on application procedures and the internship that might fit you.
Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR)
401 Shim-Ji Bld
10-22 Gyobukdong, Congnogu
Seoul, Korea
Phone: (82-2) 723-1672/2671
Website: nkhumanrights.or.kr
Email: nkhuman@nkhumanrights.or.kr
Language: proficiency in Korean is a plus
Salary:
Citizens' Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR) is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization working to improve the human rights situation of the people in North Korea as well as of those North Koreans who have fled their country for various reasons. It was founded among human rights activists, intellectuals, and North Korean defectors in May 1996. NKHR has been dedicated to improving the dismal human rights situation in North Korea and helping the North Korean refugees in their plight by way of carrying out an international campaign in coalition with individual human rights advocates as well as NGOs worldwide. NKHR also assists North Korean defectors in South Korea with their resettlement into a new society. By protecting the human rights of North Koreans, NKHR hopes to contribute to the peaceful reunification and integration of North and South Koreas.
If you wish to take part in their activities and further stretch your helping hands to North Koreans who have been deprived of human dignity and suffer from hunger, please sign up for the internship program. The program is for those who are enrolled at least bachelor's degree program or complete bachelor's degree at the time of application. Intern will be working as a member of international campaign team where the campaign officer is in charge of various tasks related to NKHR's international campaign activities. The prospective intern will have to assist general office work, email correspondence with international NGOs and experts, translation work with news monitoring (mostly domestic and international papers), research/related document filing and network building/fund raising with other organizations, etc. If you have a personal interest in the internship program, please send a cover letter and resume via email to the above address to express your interest. You will be contacted as soon as possible
Cambodian Institute of Human Rights
P.O. Box 550 #30 Street 57
Sangk at Boeung Keng Kang 1
Khan Chamcar Morn, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phone: (855-23) 210-596
Website: http://www.ned.org/grantees/cihr/sands.html
Email: CIHR@camnet.com.kh
Language: English is the only necessary language requirement
Salary: Unpaid
The Cambodian Institute of Human Rights is an independent non-profit non-governmental organization established in June 1993 with initial funding from the United Nations Trust Fund and registered with the Royal Government of Cambodia. The Institute operates under a distinguished international Board of Directors, who supervise the Director of the Institute. It has 66 staff members with broad experience and a commitment to human that work to spread the message of human rights, democracy and non-violence throughout Cambodia
Interns work in teaching methodology for Primary and Secondary Schools in order to train all teachers in Cambodia in how to best teach human rights to their students. Work is also done assisting the broadcasting of a national radio program aimed at educating and empowering rural Cambodian women. Internships are primarily offered from September to May but at times the possibly exists of being awarded an internship in the summer or another time period that is out of the ordinary. Contact the above address for specific application requirements.
Hoste Hainse
P.O. Box: 3459
Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: 538273/530313
Website: www.hostehainse.org.np/
Email: hh@lotusholdings.com.np OR hh@fc.wlink.com.np
Language:
Salary: Unpaid
Hoste-Hainse (HH) is a non-governmental development organization devoted for the upliftment of under-privileged communities in the Nepalese society. Its role is envisaged as a promoter and facilitator of community development. Since its inception on December 28, 1999, HH has been actively involved in various social and development activities especially in education, health care, income generation, and rural development. The main objective of HH is to bring about positive change in the life of the under-privileged and rural communities of Nepal through education and other social and development programs by a consorted effort of the people in need.
A past intern worked with a rural school to provide primary education for the poor children within the community that are at risk of exploitative physical labor and also aided in the development of income generating projects for the community. Because the internship program for U.S. students is in its initial stages, those interested should contact HH directly to inquire about application procedures and current internship opportunities.
Human Rights in China
350 Fifth Avenue
Suite 3309
New York, NY 10118
Phone: (212) 239-4495
Website: http://iso.hrichina.org/iso/
Email: hrichina@hrichina.org
Language:
Salary: Small transportation and lunch stipend provided
Human Rights in China (HRIC) is an international non-governmental organization founded by Chinese scientists and scholars in March 1989 that works to promote universally recognized human rights and advance the institutional protection of these rights in China. HRIC is dedicated to: 1)Promoting a growing rights consciousness and reaffirming the dignity of the Chinese people; 2)Supporting the development of civil society and empowering peaceful grassroots activism; 3)Advocating effective implementation of China's domestic laws and practices in compliance with international human rights obligations and 4)Acting as a catalyst for social change towards a more open, just, and democratic China.
HRIC internships offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, opportunities to interact with domestic and international NGOs, and to participate in special HRIC and other human rights events and briefings. Interns selected will become an integral part of the culture and work of our organization. Applicants for all three internship positions should be well-organized, self-motivated, and reliable, and have a strong interest in human rights. Applicants should enjoy working in a friendly and casual office environment that insists upon the highest professional standards and ethics. Internships are for a minimum of one academic semester with a one-year commitment preferred. All interns receive a small transportation and lunch stipend. Depending upon the requirements of the intern’s home institution, academic credit for the internship may be arranged. See website for current internships being offered.
Law and Environment Eurasia Partnership (LEEP)
Seifullina St. 597
Suite 212
Almaty, KZ 480072
Phone: (3272) 696-445/923-869
Website: www.ecostan.org/
Email: kazleep@lorton.com
Language: Russian or Kazakh fluency required
Salary: Unpaid
LEEP Works in partnership with Central Asian nonprofits for civil society and environmental sustainability. LEEP monitors environmental legislation and assists local environmental NGOs when their efforts assume international dimensions. When it acts as fiscal agent for Central Asian NGOs, LEEP takes 1-2% of the grant award for this service, which is an order of magnitude (or more) below the level taken by other fiscal agents. Moreover, LEEP assists these NGOs in their project implementation and reporting requirements. LEEP, as an organization that is not merely visiting Central Asia until development assistance grants dry up, is fully integrated into the national life of each republic. Our activists were in Central Asia before LEEP's formation and will remain in the region in the future. Accordingly, LEEP's concerns often expand beyond the parochial issues that are the primary focus of our efforts.
LEEP offers environmental human rights internships with the objective to enforce these rights by recoding specific violations and presenting them to Kazakhstan courts. Past interns have had one week of research and study to become familiar with current Kazakhstan environmental and human rights law; have met with NGOs, citizens and journalists visiting the office and composing memos regarding the salience of their complaints; have translated and edited relevant materials; have created a long-term fundraising plan in conjunction with the Kazakhstan Programs Director. LEEP would like those interested in possible internships to contact them directly by phone or email.
Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly – Turkey
Phone: (90-212) 246 67 15
Website:
Email: hyd@prizma.nct.tr (or net.tr)
Language: Turkish
Salary: Unpaid
The Helsinki Citizens Assembly is a non-governmental organization that seeks to raise sensitivity among Turkish citizens concerning human rights abuses within their country and to work towards securing respect for and compliance with the principles of human rights on the part of political authorities in Turkey. The specific duty of the Helsinki Citizens Assembly is to build the coalitions necessary among Turkish political leadership and non-governmental organizations to assure institutional support and to broaden participation in the democratization process and human rights advocacy. Interns provide a variety of staff support services. Contact organization directly to set up a tailored volunteer/intern position.
M. Venkatarangaiya Foundation
28 Marredpalli West
Secunderabad, AP - 500026
India
Phone: (91-40) 780-1320
Website: www.mvfindia.org/index.html
Email: info@mvfindia.org
Language:
Salary: Unpaid
The M Venkatarangaiya Foundation (MVF) was established in 1981 in memory of Prof. Mamidipudi Venkatarangaiya, an eminent educationist and historian in Southern India. It is a Registered Trust, which began as an institution for research on issues relating to social change and transformation. Today, its dominant mission is to build up capacities of the communities in rural areas for abolition of child labor by universalizing school education. MVF also works towards empowering women through collective action on issues relating to livelihoods and natural resource management.
Past Minnesota interns have worked in programs endeavoring to bring the girl child laborer into the mainstream of society. This program focuses mainly on educating girls on gender discrimination and trains the girl participants to counter it. The interns aided in identifying girl children that needed to be withdrawn for work while interacting with Indian youth activists. They also assisted the development and completion of educational orientation camps. Most internships last for a period of approximately 3 months. All interns are required to 1) document case studies of child labourers (both boys and girls) who have been released from work and are now in schools; 2) document impact of the MV Foundation programme of elimination of child labour on parents, school teachers, officials, wage relations, etc; 3) document the strategies adopted by the Foundation and evaluate their effectiveness. At the end of all internships, volunteers are required to give a report and make a presentation to the Foundation. Please contact the Foundation directly in order to tailor your internship.
Legal Aid of Cambodia
P.O. Box 1197
No. 43, Street 306
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Phone: (855-23) 211-134/360-708
Website: www.laoc.org/
Email: lac@bigpond.com.kh OR francisjames@hotmail.com
Language:
Salary: Unpaid
Legal Aid of Cambodia, LAC, is a non-profit, non-governmental Khmer-administered association of lawyers dedicated to serving the legal needs of Cambodia's poor in all types of civil and criminal matters. Founded in December 1995, LAC's mission is to assist in the construction of a more civil society and a more just legal system based upon respect for human rights, equal justice and the rule of law, and to ensure that high quality legal services are made available to the most vulnerable segments of Cambodian society.
LAC maintains a highly successful international program for pro bono lawyers and law student interns. Volunteer practicing attorneys and law students interested in human right law and cross cultural legal development, work together with local Cambodian lawyers and investigators. Volunteers participate in trial preparation and help devise case strategy. Legal Aid of Cambodia has a fairly extensive internship program. The summer internship is for graduate law students; there is no language requirement but previous overseas experience (living and working) is highly prized; it is a fairly competitive process, in-person interviews with LAC board members are required; each year, they have about 3-4 interns. Inquiries are welcome. You must contact LAC directly to receive application materials.
Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies
House 23 Road 10ADhanmondi
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Phone: (880-2) (880-2) 911-9823/3862
Website: www.bcas.net/
Email: info@bcas.net
Language:
Salary: Unpaid
Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS) is an independent, non-profit, non-government, policy, research, and implementation institute working on sustainable development at local, national, regional and global levels. BCAS addresses sustainable development through four interactive themes: (a) environment-development integration, (b) good governance and people’s participation, (c) poverty alleviation and sustainable livelihoods, and (d) economic growth and public-private partnership. It was established in 1986, and over the years has grown to become a leading institute in the non-government sector in Bangladesh and South Asia.
BCAS welcomes international internships in the field of Natural Resource Management (NRM), Participatory methodology, Environment and Climate Change. Usually they do this through bilateral discussion with universities, international research groups, and individuals. Unfortunately BCAS does not have any written policy document on international internships yet but they strongly encourage all interested to contact them with further information.
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC)
B-6/6
Safdarjung Enclave Extension
New Delhi - 110029, India
Phone: (91-11) 619-2717 / 2706 / 1120
Website: http://www.hrdc.net/sahrdc
Email: rnairsahrdc@hotmail.com
Language: English
Salary: unpaid
The South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre (SAHRDC) is a network of individuals across the region. It seeks to investigate, document and disseminate information about human rights treaties and conventions, human rights education, refugees, media freedom, prison reforms, political imprisonment, torture, summary executions, disappearances and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment. SAHRDC has Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
The SAHRDC has a long-standing internship programme. It accepts interns from all over the world, who have a serious human rights commitment. Intending interns should be prepared and capable of hard and diligent research work. SAHRDC welcomes students, mid-term career professionals and lawyers looking for a sabbatical with good analytical and research aptitude. Interns are able to assume a significant amount of responsibility. Many have seen their projects through, from visiting a refugee camp, researching at the Indian Law Institute, to going on field visits to other Asian countries and writing most of the final reports themselves. Applicants must send a detailed CV and a writing sample. The writing sample could be an essay or a term paper of 10-15 pages. There are no specific language requirements. English is the working languageat SAHRDC.
Shirkat Gah
208-Scotch Corner, Upper Mall
Lahore, Pakistan
Phone: (092)-42-576-0764 / 575-9372 / 571-3718
Website:
Email: sgah@sgah.brain.com.pk
Language:
Salary: Unpaid
Shirkat Gah (translation - a place of participation) was founded in 1975 and is active in all four provinces of Pakistan with offices in Karachi, Lahore and Peshwar. It is a non-hierarchal collective, integrating consciousness raising with a development perspective and initiating projects translating advocacy into action. The goal of Shirkat Gah is to fully empower women in a just, vibrant, democratic, tolerant and environmentally sound society, where equity and opportunity are ensured for all. Shirkat Gah seeks to bring about women's empowerment for social justice and social justice for women's empowerment; to promote women appropriate development schemes, programs, policies and laws; to enhance women's autonomy, access to resources, and all levels of decision making; and to help catalyze a socio-cultural perspective premised on gender equality at all levels. Shirkat Gah has various programs such as: 1) Women and Law program integrating grassroots to policy-level advocacy and building women's capacity to access rights and address their felt-needs; 2) Outreach program working to build the capacity of community based organizations as actors best positioned to understand the needs of their own communities, to devise and implement appropriate strategies to address these needs and to be a constant and immediate source of support to their communities.
A prior intern aided in the development of policy and project formulation regarding the area of women’s health. The volunteer focused on health education and service delivery for poor women. The internship also entailed evaluation of data as well as interviews and meetings with concerned women and NGOs to formulate concrete proposals to alleviate pressing anxieties. For information on application requirements and internship vacancies, please contact the organization directly by email or phone.
Indian Social Institute
10, Institutional Area
Lodi Road, New Delhi - 110 003
Phone: (011) 462-2379 / 462-5015 / 461-1745
Website: http://www.isidelhi.org/index.htm
Email: mdg@unv.ernet.in
Language: English
Salary: Unpaid
Indian Social Institute (ISI) was established in 1951 in response to the emerging social order of Independent India has been trying to restate her goal according to the changing situations in the country. In 1980 they committed themselves to join and strengthen people’s movements particularly among the tribals and dalits and more specifically women among them. Their mission and goal is to change the processes, which discriminate against the marginalised into positive processes, which break their mariginalisation and bring them to the core of development. For this they have committed themselves as an Institute of research, training and action.
Previously, an intern worked with the Indian Social Institute, studying India’s policies and laws concerning domestic workers (women in particular) in order to develop material to be utilized by the organization for latter projects. The volunteer examined the manner in which the legal system treats female laborers and how child labor laws affect girls more than boys. The research entailed both legal research and fieldwork. For specific information on current needs and internship positions, please contact the Institute directly via email or phone.
Human Rights Organization of Nepal
P.O. Box 5424
Kathmandu, Nepal
Phone: (977-1) 269-948
Website: http://www.huronnepal.org/index.html
Email: info@huronnepal.org
Language:
Salary:
The Human Rights Organization of Nepal (HURON) was one of the first human right organizations in Nepal. From its establishment in 1988, HURON has played a pioneering and critical role in the movement for the restoration of democracy in the country. From the beginning HURON has played a leading role in the process of democratic change within Nepal, and in the protection of human rights and civil liberties. HURON recognizes the political, economic, and social transition that the Nepalese society is currently going through. In response to the dynamic change taking place in the society HURON is working towards building an organization/movement that will be responsible to the emerging and diverse human right issues, as well as to support the strengthening of the democratic process in the country at all levels.
The former intern for the Human Rights Organization of Nepal worked with the
establishment of a HURON documentation center as well as studying the accessibility
of the newly-established judicial system in Nepal and assessing the progress
of the new government in protecting human rights. Please contact the organization
for information on current possibilities as well as corresponding application
information.