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Internship Resources: International Human Rights Organizations


Accion International
56 Roland St., Suite 300, Boston, MA 02129
phone: (617) 625-7080 / fax: (617) 625-7020

Description:
ACCION is a nonprofit organization dedicated to giving people the tools they need to work their way out of poverty by providing "micro" loans to poor women and men who start their own businesses. An ACCION internship provides you with the opportunity to learn about microenterprise development and office systems in a friendly, professional, multicultural environment. ACCION is based in Boston, a short walk from the Sullivan Square T-station. Internships become available on a sporadic basis and are coordinated by Human Resources in the headquarters office - internships are unpaid.



American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Anti-violence, anti-social injustice group
New England Regional office
2161 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02140
phone: (617) 661-6130 / fax: (617) 354-2832

Description:
American Friends Service Committee carries out service, development, social justice, and peace programs throughout the world. The AFSC works with policy makers to promote relief and reconstruction, global peace building, youth leadership, and the abolition of the death penalty. AFSC's work attracts the support and partnership of people of many races, religions, and cultures.



Amnesty International
Northeast Regional Office
58 Day St., Davis Square , Somerville, MA 02144
phone: (617) 623-2005 / fax: (617) 441-5417

Description:
Amnesty International's vision is of a world in which every person enjoys all of the human rights enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights standards. Amnesty International undertakes research and action focused on preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of promoting all human rights.



Center for Constitutional Rights (Outside Boston)
666 Broadway 7th floor
New York, NY 10012
phone: (212) 614-6464

Description:
The Center for Constitutional Rights is dedicated to advancing and protecting the rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Founded in 1966 by attorneys who represented civil rights movements in the South, CCR is a non-profit legal and educational organization committed to the creative use of law as a positive force for social change.

CCR uses litigation proactively to advance the law in a positive direction, to empower poor communities and communities of color, to guarantee the rights of those with the fewest protections and least access to legal resources, to train the next generation of constitutional and human rights attorneys, and to strengthen the broader movement for constitutional and human rights. Our work began on behalf of civil rights activists, and over the last four decades CCR has lent its expertise and support to virtually every popular movement for social justice.

CCR has numerous internships, both legal and otherwise, and is willing and able to offer credit when appropriate. CCR welcomes a limited number of high school, undergraduate and recent college graduates for internships throughout the year.



CISPES (Committee in Solidarity with the people of El Salvador) (Outside Boston)
130 W. 29th Street, 9th floor, New York, NY 10001

Boston Address:
2161 Mass. Avenue, Cambridge MA 02140
phone: (617) 576-1706

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Cherrene Horazuk, CISPES National Office:
phone: (212) 465-8115

Description:
CISPES has been working since 1980 in solidarity with the FMLN (Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front) and the Salvadoran social justice movement to promote an alternative to US-backed policies of the Salvadoran right. CISPES currently works within the solidarity and anti-corporate globalization movements. In addition to coordinating speakers' tours, delegations to El Salvador, cultural and educational events and public protests, CISPES raises funds for alternative solutions in El Salvador, supporting directly the work of labor unions, the FMLN, the women's movement, and youth organizing projects.

CISPES is seeking long-term interns and volunteers to help organize a Campaign against CAFTA and the FTAA. In addition to practical organizing skills, interns/volunteers will gain a solid background in the socio-economic and political history and current situation in El Salvador and Central America. In addition to a focus on El Salvador, interns/volunteers will learn about the US solidarity movement, global economic trends, and strategies to change the political/economic situation here in the U.S.



Cultural Survival Inc.
Pia Maybury-Lewis, Coordinator
Intern Program
215 Prospect Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
phone: (617) 441-5403 / fax: (617) 441-5417

Description:
Cultural Survival Inc. is an NGO that focuses on indigenous groups. Cultural Survival seeks to influence both public and specialist opinion through in-depth analysis. CS program areas include research, publications, education services, and advocacy and direct assistance projects that have supported endangered peoples in 40 countries to date.

Interns participate in the writing and production of the award-winning journal Cultural Survival Quarterly; researching, developing and updating the CS Educational Curricula for high school students and planning student conferences; obtaining articles from scholars and specialists throughout the world and actively participating in the editing and solicitation of articles for "Active Voices: The Online Journal of Cultural Survival"; fundraising and PR by helping to write and prepare membership appeals, press releases, flyers, and other promotional materials; in website maintenance and the development of new ideas to ensure a powerful internet presence; planning, promoting and attending various cultural and fundraising events throughout the year; and many other opportunities.

To apply, fax, mail or email a resume and letter of intent that explains your personal areas of interest. Please include the following:

  1. Minimum dates available to intern.
  2. How many hours per week you will volunteer
  3. If you will seek academic credit for this internship
  4. Please include the programs or areas that interest you most: Research, CS Quarterly/publications, Education, Fundraising/PR, Administration or Internet/Web design.


Earthwatch (Outside Boston)
3 Clock Tower Place, Suite 100, Box 75, Maynard, MA 01754, USA
phone: (978) 461-0081 / fax: (978) 461-2332

Description:
Earthwatch is an international, non-profit organization founded in Boston with offices in Oxford, England, Melbourne, Australia and Tokyo, Japan, with members spread across the U.S., Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. Earthwatch conducts research, provides education, and works toward the conservation of natural resources.



Grassroots International
179 Boylston St., 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02130
phone: (617) 524-1400 / fax: (617) 524-5525
 
Description:
Grassroots International promotes global justice through partnerships with social change organizations. They work to advance political, economic and social rights and support development alternatives through grant-making, education and advocacy. Internships are critical to the agency: they contribute to the development of current and new programs. Interns have the ability to learn about international development and human rights while serving the cause of social justice. For further information about internships in the Middle East/Africa Program, the Brazil Program, Gender Policy, leadership, communications, and fundraising visit the web site at http://www.grassrootsonline.org/work_main.html



Green Corps
29 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111
Attention: Jenna Perry

Or send your resume to jobs@greencorps.org

Description:
Green Corps is a worldwide, non-profit organization that provides opportunities to participate in projects designed to preserve and restore the natural environment. Green Corps participants gain improved career and employment prospects through accredited training, structured work activities and work experience. They receive assistance in preparation for employment, personal development opportunities and also an opportunity to contribute to the well-being of the community. There are many environmental internship opportunities available.

The One-year, full-time, paid Environmental Leadership Training Program offers training to launch a career in organizing and activism. Also, there are Green Corps Environmental Internships for Undergraduates: semester or year-long positions available.



Greenpeace
155 Massachusetts Ave., Boston MA 02130
phone: (617) 266-2021 / fax: (617) 266-1311
Local Greenpeace office: www.greenpeaceusa.org

Description:
Greenpeace is an International non-profit organization involved in a variety of environmental and peace campaigns with a presence in 40 countries across Europe, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific. As a global organization, Greenpeace focuses on the most crucial worldwide threats to the planet's biodiversity and environment with campaigns to protect the oceans, save the ancient forests, prevent global climate change and more. There are many available job, internship, and volunteer opportunities.



Heifer Project / Overlook Farm
216 Wachusett St., Rutland, MA 01543
phone: (508) 886-7900
 
Description:
The Heifer project offers hungry families around the world a way to feed themselves and become self-reliant. Children receive nutritious milk or eggs; families earn income for school, health care and better housing; communities go beyond meeting immediate needs to fulfilling dreams. Farmers learn sustainable, environmentally sound agricultural techniques. Interns (volunteers) provide necessary labor for farm production and educational programs.



Human Rights Documentation Exchange (Outside Boston)
Contact: Ms. Rebecca Hall,  Executive Director
Address: P.O. Box 2327, Austin, TX 78768
phone: (512) 476-9841

Description:
Human Rights Documentation Exchange is a nonprofit organization that monitors human rights violations and country conditions worldwide. Their Refugee Legal Support Services documents abuses against U.S. asylum seekers in their home countries. They also publish Central America and Mexico News Packs.

Internship goals include learning about asylum law and other forms of immigrant relief, developing research skills, developing increased knowledge of human rights issues worldwide, and helping to educate the public on the causes, conditions, and impact of refuge migration and human rights issues. Interns work a minimum of 40 hours per week for 8 weeks. Internships are tailored to individual interests. Interns are involved in non-legal research and translating experience.

Experiences Offered: Policy Research, Fund Raising, Media Relations
Majors Desired: Journalism, Policy, International Studies, Law Students
Application Materials: Cover letter, resume and writing sample.


Human Rights Watch (Outside Boston)

350 Fifth Avenue, 34th Floor, New York, NY 10118-3299
phone: (212) 290-4700 / fax: (212) 736-1300 / E-mail: hrwnyc@hrw.org

1630 Connecticut Ave NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20009
phone: (202) 612-4321 / fax: (202) 612-4333 / E-mail: hrwdc@hrw.org

11500 W. Olympic Blvd, Suite 445, Los Angeles, CA 90064
phone: (310) 477-5540 / fax: (310) 477-4622 / E-mail: hrwla@hrw.org

Description:
Human Rights Watch offers academic semester and summer internships for undergraduate and graduate students in New York, Washington and Los Angeles. Undergraduate internships are primarily administrative and clerical in nature, but other projects can be assigned as they arise and match the student's interests and abilities, including research, drafting documents, translating, and helping researchers prepare for missions. Internships are generally unpaid, although work-study funds are available.

Applicants should be well-organized, self-motivated and reliable, with a strong interest in international human rights; relevant coursework highly desirable; foreign languages a plus. Computer literacy (i.e., WP6.1, FileMakerPro, Internet, etc.) required.



International Institute of Boston
One Milk 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02109
Contact: Diane Terry, Coordinator of Volunteer Services, (617) 695-9990, ext. 142

Description:
International Institute of Change is a private, nonprofit human services agency which offers comprehensive services to refugees and immigrants in order to foster their successful integration into the U.S. Resettlement assistance includes job training and placement, legal and social services, English, Citizenship and literacy classes.



Oxfam America, Inc.
26 West St., Boston, MA 02111
phone: (617) 482-1211

Internship information available at http://www.oxfamamerica.org/whoweare/interns_volunteers
 
Description:
Oxfam provides financial, technical and networking assistance to grassroots groups to support their self-help community development initiatives. Oxfam also advocates among national and international policy-makers, suggesting humane public policies that address structural impediments to ending poverty and hunger. In addition, Oxfam educates Americans about the causes and solutions to world hunger and poverty. A major component of Oxfam's educational and policy work is campaigning throughout the U.S. to get Americans actively behind the important policy issues that they believe will make significant differences to poor communities.



Rights & Democracy (Outside Boston)

Description:
Rights & Democracy (previously The International Center for Human Rights and Democratic Development) is a Canadian institution with an international mandate. It is an independent organization that promotes, advocates, and defends democratic human rights set out in the International Bill of Human Rights. In cooperation with civil society and governments in Canada and abroad, Rights & Democracy initiates and supports programs that strengthen laws and democratic institutions, principally in developing countries. Rights & Democracy focuses its work on four thematic priorities: Democratic Development, Women's Rights, the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Globalization and Human Rights; and two special operations: International Human Rights Advocacy and Urgent Action and Important Opportunities.



UNICEF New England
420 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116
phone: (617) 266-7534 / fax: (617) 266-7903

Description:
The US Fund for UNICEF seeks volunteer interns for their New England office located in Boston. UNICEF is an international goodwill agency that serves children and women in need and provides basic needs such as clean water, education and shelter in an effort to save the lives of millions of children throughout the world. Working under the direction of the Director of development, the intern will be responsible for assisting with writing and editing grant proposals, organizing donor cultivation events, maintaining donor information files, preparing country project reports, and handling donor information requests. Should have a working knowledge of MS Word, strong writing and editing skills and excellent communication skills.

To apply, send resume and cover letter to:
Attn: Laura Driscoll, Development Coordinator
US Fund for UNICEF
phone: (617) 266-7534 x100 or email: ldriscoll@unicefusa.org



Women for Women International (Outside Boston)
ATTN: Human Resources
Women for Women International
1850 M Street, NW, Suite 1090, Washington, DC 20036
phone: (202) 737-7705 / fax: (202) 293-0853

Internship information available at http://www.womenforwomen.org/auemio.html.

Description:
Women for Women International is a grassroots organization that provides female survivors of war, civil strife, and other conflicts with tools and resources to move from crisis and poverty into a civil society that promotes and protects peace, stability, and self-sufficiency. It begins with matching a U.S. woman and a woman overseas. The U.S. sponsor provides financial and emotional support. Once a woman is physically and emotionally well, Women for Women international provides income-generating skills and rights awareness training. Finally, Women for Women International invests in the long-term growth of the woman and her community by providing microcredit loans. There are internship, job, and volunteer opportunities.

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