A Voice For the Voiceless
The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change.
We are currently recruiting graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.
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Fellows
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In 2009, AP hopes to recruit between 30 and 40 Fellows to work in the field. All Fellows will be expected to provide AP's first service and profile their hosts through blogs, photos, video footage, and advocacy profiles. Only a limited number of Fellows will be helping partners to build their campaigns.
You may apply for more than one position, but please indicate in your cover letter your order of preference and explain why you are interested in each and why you would be a good fit for the fellowship. Several of the positions also require a writing sample.
Rolling Admission for Fellowships #1-15 only
1. Survivor Corps Africa Project (Uganda): Promoting and protecting human rights of disabled individuals in Great Lakes Region of Africa
2. Survivor Corps Africa Project (Burundi/Rwanda): Promoting and protecting human rights of disabled individuals in Great Lakes Region of Africa
3. LSN – Vietnam: working to promote disability rights
4. LSN – El Salvador: working to promote disability rights
5. LSN – Colombia: working to promote disability rights
6. LSN – Jordan: working to promote disability rights
7. Asociación para Politicas Públicas (Argentina) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence.
8. Viva Rio (Brazil) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
9. Colegio Colombiano de Juristas (Colombia) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
10. South-Asia Partnership (Nepal) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
11. Centre for Social Studies/CES (Portugal) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
12. Victimology Society of Serbia (Serbia) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
13. Center for Conflict Resolution (CECORE) (Uganda) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
14. Project Ploughshares/Small Arms Working Group-Peacebuild (Canada) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
15. Breaking the Wall of Silence (Namibia) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
Fellowships #16-41 Application Deadline March 1, 2009
16. Women In Black (WIB): Mobilizing women to participate in non-violent resistance in Serbia
17. Kosova Women’s Network (KWN): Women’s rights, empowerment & equality
18. Dženo: Roma rights in the Czech Republic
19. NESPEC: Advocating for peace and human rights in Nepal
20. Backward Society Education (BASE): Work to promote equal rights for Tharu indigenous community in Southern Nepal
21. Backward Society Education (BASE): Work to promote equal rights for Tharu indigenous community in Southern Nepal
22. Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC): Empowering women in Palestinian society
23. Alternative Information Center (AIC): Middle East peace, bridging the gap and promoting equality in Israel & Palestine Territories
24. Democracy and Workers Rights Center (DWRC): Palestinian workers’ rights
25. Skills and Agricultural Development Services (SADS): Environmental Rights of rural Liberians
26. Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT): Legal Rights for prisoners in Guinea
27. Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT): Legal Rights for prisoners in Guinea
28. Arche d’Alliance: Defends human rights and promotes peace in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
29. Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran: Promoting minority rights and human rights amongst ethnic minorities in Iran
30. Dale Farm Housing Association: Irish Gypsy and Traveller rights in the United Kingdom
31. Blind Education & Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO): Using micro-credit to empower the disabled community, raising awareness about disabilities, and advocating for disability rights in Bangladesh
32. Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF): Increasing awareness and restoring the identity of forcibly disappeared peoples in Peru
33. ADIVIMA: Guatemalan indigenous rights & massacre survivors
34. Chintan: Advocating for economic and social rights of India’s informal sector (e.g. wastepickers)
35. Chintan: Advocating for economic and social rights of India’s informal sector (e.g. wastepickers)
36. Undugu: Socio-economic empowerment of street children in Kenya
37. World Peasants/ Indigenous Foundation (WPIO): Anti-slavery campaign for Pygmies in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
38. BOSFAM: Bosnian women massacre survivors
39. Uterine Prolapse Alliance: Advocating for women’s health in Nepal, specifically building a national and international campaign to expose a serious condition – uterine prolapse
40. Jagaran Media Center (JMC): Nepalese Dalit rights, ending caste discrimination
41. Jagaran Media Center (JMC): Nepalese Dalit rights, ending caste discrimination
APPLICANT RESTRICTION NOTICE: The Advocacy Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other personal factors. However, given the highly sensitive nature of some of our positions, we must occasionally limit recruitment to women only for certain fellowships. This may be due to cultural and security constraints or to psychological considerations for beneficiaries. We hope you understand.
Telling the Story of Disempowered Community: Three-Month Fellowship in the Field
1. UGANDA: Advocating for disabled survivor rights by promoting equal access and greater enforcement of disability rights in Great Lakes region.
Based in: Gulu, Uganda
Host: Survivor Corps’ Africa program works to promote the human rights of disabled survivors in the Great Lakes region. Survivor Corps works to break cycles of victimization and violence, individual by individual, country by country. At their core is a survivor-centered approach for victims of war to recover, rebuild their communities and change the world.
Qualifications:
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2. BURUNDI and RWANDA: Advocating for disabled survivor rights by promoting equal access and greater enforcement of disability rights in Great Lakes region.
Based in: Kigali, Rwanda and Bujumbura, Burundi
Host: Survivor Corps’ Africa program works to promote the human rights of disabled survivors in the Great Lakes region. Survivor Corps works to break cycles of victimization and violence, individual by individual, country by country. At their core is a survivor-centered approach for victims of war to recover, rebuild their communities and change the world.
Qualifications:
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3. VIETNAM: Promoting the Rights of Landmine Survivors through Community Mobilization, Website Development, Organizing Advocacy Campaigns, & Video Production
Based in: Dong Hoi City, Vietnam
Host: LSN Vietnam Landmine Survivors Network Vietnam was established in January 2003 to provide assistance to thousands of survivors in their recovery and inclusion in society. Quang Binh Province is one of the most heavily landmine/UXO-affected areas in Vietnam, and also one of the most underserved areas in the country.
Vietnam is plagued with approximately 350,000 tons of landmines and unexploded ordinances (UXO) left over from the Vietnam War, and it is estimated that as many as 3.5 million landmines are scattered throughout the countryside in Vietnam. As a result, the civilian population suffers over 2,000 casualties each year due to landmines and UXO. The national landmine priority in Vietnam is primarily restricted to mine clearance efforts, which impact economic development projects such as roads and bridges.
Qualifications:
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4. EL SALVADOR: Advocating for the Human Rights Convention and Implementation of Salvadoran Disability Rights Laws with Conflict Survivors
Based in: San Salvador, El Salvador
Host: Landmine Survivors Network El Salvador (LSN ES) Created by and for survivors, LSN empowers individuals, families, and communities affected by landmines and conflict to recover from trauma, reclaim their lives, and fulfill their rights. LSN’s vision is a victim-free world where all people can fulfill their potential and contribute to a just and secure future. LSN links conflict survivors to each other and to opportunities to engage jointly in community service and campaign initiatives to protect people from injury and violence.
Qualifications:
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5. COLOMBIA: Advocating for Greater Social Inclusion of Conflict Survivors Through Communications-Based Human Rights Advocacy
Based in: Bogotá, Colombia
Host: Survivor Corps Colombia (SC Colombia) Formerly known as Landmine Survivors Network, SC Colombia was established in June 2007. Survivor Corps’ vision is a “Victim-Free World” where survivors of violence and war triumph over tragedy; a world where survivors are rebuilding their lives and thriving as leaders in their own communities, and raising their voices for peace. The three over-arching projects that the Colombia office has designed are:
1. Rebuilding communities through peer support: from victims to survivors, from former combatants to citizens
2. Rebuilding communities through social inclusion and peace building
3. The 1092 Campaign: putting into practice the right to work for people with disabilities in a context of armed conflict
Qualifications:
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6. JORDAN: Advocating for Greater Social Inclusion of Landmine Survivors Through Media-Based Advocacy, Youth Participation, and Event Planning & Promotion
Based in: Amman, Jordan
Host: LSN Jordan was established in Amman in 1999 as the first amputee peer support group in the Middle East. LSN Jordan works with civilian landmine survivors and people with limb loss, as well as military survivors throughout the country. Among their many activities, LSN Jordan has been particularly active in ensuring that survivors and people with disabilities raise their voice and advocate for their rights in the country and internationally, and raising awareness of the general public about survivor rights.
Qualifications:
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The next 9 Fellowships are deployed around the world with the Women’s Network of The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA). IANSA is based in London and has over 800 member organizations in 120 countries, working to stop the proliferation and use of small arms and light weapons. Various members of their Women’s Network will begin a global campaign this summer to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence. Fellows will be based in: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Namibia, Nepal, Portugal, Serbia, Uganda. Find the postings below.
7. Host: Asociación para Politicas Públicas
Based in: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Qualifications:
8. Host: Viva Rio
Based in: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Qualifications:
9. Host: Colectivo Dignidad Humana
Based in: Cali, Colombia
Qualifications:
10. Host: South-Asia Partnership
Based in: Kathmandu, Nepal
Qualifications:
11. Host: Centre for Social Studies (CES)
Based in: Coimbra, Portugal
Qualifications:
12. Host: Victimology Society of Serbia
Based in: Belgrade, Serbia
Qualifications:
13. Host: Center for Conflict Resolution (CECORE)
Based in: Kampala, Uganda
Qualifications:
14. Host: Project Ploughshares/Small Arms Working Group-Peacebuild
Based in: Waterloo, Canada
Qualifications:
15. Host: Breaking the Wall of Silence
Based in: Windhoek, Namibia
Qualifications:
16. SERBIA: Supporting Advocates for Women’s Rights
Based in: Belgrade, Serbia
**Women applicants only
Host: Women in Black’s (WIB) mission is to make visible nonviolent resistance to militarism, war, sexism, and nationalism. In short, all aspects of violence towards and discrimination against women and all those people different ethnically, religiously, culturally, sexually, and ideologically. Their goal is to prevent and resolve conflicts through dialogue, and above all instigate the active participation of women in the building of peace, in peaceful processes, and demilitarization. Women in Black is also a founding partner of the Women’s Peace Coalition (WPC), which brings together women from Kosovo and Serbia. Women in Black fulfills its mission through networking, research, advocacy, and women’s service.
Qualifications:
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17. KOSOVO: Supporting Women’s Rights and Strengthening Ties between Advocates for Women’s Rights in Kosovo & Serbia
Based in: Priština
**Women applicants only, please
Host: The Kosova Women's Network's (KWN) mission is to support, protect, and promote the rights and the interests of women and girls throughout Kosovo, regardless of their political beliefs, religion, age, level of education, or ability. KWN plays a critically important role in articulating women’s rights during Kosovo’s political transition and is also one of the founders of the Women’s Peace Coalition (WPC), which brings together women from Kosovo and Serbia. KWN fulfills its mission through networking, research, advocacy, and women’s service.
Qualifications:
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18. CZECH REPUBLIC: Advocating for Roma Rights
Based in: Prague, Czech Republic
**Please submit a writing sample with your application
Host: The Dženo Association is an independent Roma news and information service, as well as an advocacy and research organization. Emphasis is placed on influencing international actions concerning the Roma and increasing global awareness of Romany issues.
Qualifications:
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19. NEPAL: Supporting Advocates for Peace and Human Rights in Eastern Nepal
Based in: Gaighat, Eastern Nepal
Host: The Nepal Social Development and People’s Empowerment Center (NESPEC), founded in 1996, is an organization dedicated to realizing the highest ideals of peace, democracy, and human rights. NESPEC continues to function according to the fundamental principles of organizational transparency and inclusiveness. It works towards these ideals with an innovative approach that combines practical support for at-risk communities, community education and participation, and inter-agency networking. NESPEC is proud of the past contributions they have made to Eastern Nepal and look forward to an even more successful future.
Qualifications:
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20-21. NEPAL: Promoting human rights and advocating against the practice of bonded labor (kamaiya) among the Tharu indigenous community in Nepal
Based in: Talsipur, Nepal
Host: Backward Society Education (BASE) is an NGO that aims to ensure that the children of former Kamaiyas, landless and other poor people (primarily Tharu people) have access and equal rights to free education. It also promotes the abolition of bonded labor and equal rights for all Nepalis.
Qualifications:
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22. MIDDLE EAST: Supporting Advocates for Women’s Rights & Empowerment
Based in: Ramallah, Palestinian Territories
**Women applicants only, please
Host: The Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC) was established in 1992. WATC is a coalition of seven women's organizations, three women's centers, and individual women activists. WATC seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, to develop the role of women in society, and to empower women to assume decision-making positions. WATC pays special attention to marginalized and less privileged women, particularly women in rural areas and refugees, as well as focusing on women leaders and young potential leaders in order to facilitate their role in the process of national struggle and social change. WATC plays a central role in defending secular women’s rights at a time of pressure from the Israeli occupation and Palestinian fundamentalists.
Qualifications:
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23. THE MIDDLE EAST: Developing a Joint Peace Agenda between Israel and The Palestinian Territories
Based in: Jerusalem, Israel
*please submit a writing sample with your application
Host: The Alternative Information Center (AIC) is a joint Palestinian-Israeli organization which prioritizes advocacy, critical analysis, and information sharing to promote cooperation between Palestinians and Israelis based on the values of social and political justice, equality, solidarity, community involvement, and respect for the human rights of the Palestinian people.
Qualifications:
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24. THE MIDDLE EAST: Advocating for Worker’s Rights in The Palestinian Territories
Based in: Ramallah, Palestinian Territories
Host: The Democracy and Workers' Rights Center (DWRC) – a non-governmental, non-profit organization that is not affiliated with any political party – was established in 1993 by a group of trade unionists, lawyers, academics, and political figures in the Palestinian society. Their mission is to spread labor and democracy education, strengthen the knowledge and skills of workers' leaders, and increase their awareness of their rights, as well as mechanisms to protect them. DWRC also works to provide legal aid and encourage workers to build their representative bodies on a democratic basis.
Qualifications:
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25. Liberia: protecting the environmental rights of Liberians and working to educate youth and rural Liberians about environmental issues
Based in: Monrovia, Liberia with extensive fieldwork outside capital
Host: Skills and Agricultural Development Services (SADS) works to protect the environmental rights of rural Liberians, especially those pertaining to deforestation by multinational logging corporations and the contamination of ground and surface water by mining practices. SADS works to educate the people of Liberia about their rights regarding rural land tenure and to mobilize them to advocate for equitable solutions. In organizing participatory dialogues and town hall meetings that engage communities and government officials, SADS is committed to working towards a society where communities use non-violent conflict resolution methods.
Qualifications:
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26. Guinea: working to free wrongly imprisoned and tortured prisoners in Guinea.
Based in: Conakry, Guinea
Host: Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT; Equal Rights for All) works to reduce the prevalence of torture, wrongful imprisonment, and excessive use of force by Guinean security forces. MDT is working on a project concerning the legal rights of criminal defendants in Guinea's justice and penal systems, with a focus on how those rights can be improved, especially during criminal proceedings.
Qualifications:
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27. Guinea: working to free wrongly imprisoned and tortured prisoners in Guinea.
Based in: Conakry, Guinea
Host: Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT; Equal Rights for All) works to reduce the prevalence of torture, wrongful imprisonment, and excessive use of force by Guinean security forces. MDT is working on a project concerning the legal rights of criminal defendants in Guinea's justice and penal systems, with a focus on how those rights can be improved, especially during criminal proceedings.
Qualifications:
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28. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – provides free legal support for victims of human rights violations and war crimes and supports income generating projects, peace-building workshops, conflict resolution and mediation seminars.
Based in: Uvira, DRC (travel in Great Lakes Region may be required)
Host: Arche D’Alliance works to promote peace and defend human rights. The NGO is involved in research, documentation of human rights violations, human rights education, legal aid to victims of rights violations, particularly disadvantaged children and female survivors of sexual violence and other forms of discrimination, and advocacy for legal reform to protect better the rights of women and children.
Qualifications:
29. CANADA: Promoting minority rights and human rights amongst ethnic minorities in Iran
Based in: Vancouver, Canada
Host: Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran (ADAPP) seeks to promote and increase awareness in Iran and globally concerning the human rights situation of the community of Azerbaijani Turkic speakers and other minorities in Iran.
Qualifications:
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30. THE UNITED KINGDOM: Campaigning for the Rights of Irish Travelers, Advocating for Housing Rights and Against Evictions.
Based in: Essex, UK
Host: The Peace Fellow will work with the Dale Farm Housing Association, which represents the largest “Gypsy” and Traveler encampment in the UK and has been under threat of eviction for more than 5 years. Several “yards” (encampments) have already been bulldozed by the local authorities, and the case will come before the British High Court in early February. The Dale Farm Association is seeking the help of a dedicated human rights advocate, starting as soon as possible, to help them organize, advocate, and build their community association.
Qualifications:
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31. BANGLADESH: Using micro-credit to empower the disabled community, raising awareness about disabilities, and advocating for disability rights in Bangladesh
Based in: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Host: Since 1991, Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) has been working for the development and protection of the disabled community in Bangladesh. Founded and run by individuals living with blindness themselves, BERDO’s programs include microcredit, rehabilitation, a Talking Library, scholarships, job placement, health services, and disability prevention. BERDO fulfills its mission through networking, research, advocacy, and service.
Qualifications:
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32. PERU: Restoring the Identity of the Forcibly Disappeared & Seeking Justice for Survivors
Based in: Lima, Peru
Host: Equipo Peruano de Antropología Forense (or Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team – EPAF) applies forensic anthropology to the search for forcibly disappeared persons during the period of internal political conflict from 1982-2000. EPAF began work in 1997, when a group of Peruvian professionals working for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia decided to apply their expertise in their own country. Their aim is to restore the identity of the thousands of missing Peruvians that rest in hidden burial sites across the country.
Qualifications:
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33. GUATEMALA: Empowering Rural Communities to Seek Solutions after the 1980s Massacres
Based in: Rabinal, Guatemala
Host: The Association for the Integral Development of the Victims of Violence in the Verapaces, Maya Achí (ADIVIMA) is an indigenous organization whose mission is to seek solutions to social, economic, education, and political problems caused by the internal armed conflict of the 1980s; help ensure adherence to the Peace Accords; construct monuments in honor of the 49 Baja Verapaz massacres; facilitate the process of reflection and healing; and empower the communities so that they can be influential in governmental and social affairs and in the solutions to their own needs.
Qualifications:
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34. INDIA – Sustainable Consumption and Environmental and Social Justice
Based in: New Delhi, India
Host: Chintan was founded in 1999 to address issues of sustainable consumption and environmental and social justice. Chintan promotes strategies that secure environmental and social justice in a rapidly transforming India. Chintan believes that it is increasingly critical to work directly with the poor and marginal communities in India (e.g. waste pickers or “Waste Recyclers”) and form new kinds of partnerships to move us closer to a vision of an environmentally and socially just world. Chintan uses a grassroots approach that informs all of their work, right up to advocating for better policy at the state and central level.
Qualifications:
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35. INDIA – Sustainable Consumption and Environmental and Social Justice
Based in: New Delhi, India
Host: Chintan was founded in 1999 to address issues of sustainable consumption and environmental and social justice. Chintan promotes strategies that secure environmental and social justice in a rapidly transforming India. Chintan believes that it is increasingly critical to work directly with the poor and marginal communities in India (e.g. waste pickers, or “Waste Recyclers”) and form new kinds of partnerships to move us closer to a vision of an environmentally and socially just world. Chintan uses a grassroots approach that informs all of their work, right up to advocating for better policy at the state and central level.
Qualifications:
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36. KENYA – Contributing to the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Street Children and Other Vulnerable Youth
Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
Host: Undugu Society of Kenya works to improve the lives of street children and other marginalized youth through lobbying and giving them access to attainment of decent livelihoods through education, training and networking. They provide education and skills through their Undugu Basic Education Program as well as their Informal Skills Training Program. Undugu also aims to develop communities economically in order to prevent children to turning from the streets and in addition, they have implemented an Income Generating Program dedicated to finding ways to produce income for the poor.
Qualifications:
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37. UGANDA – Advocating to end discrimination against indigenous populations, stopping the exploitation of natural resources on their land, and promoting peaceful co-existence with surrounding communities
Based in: Kampala, Uganda (travel in Central Africa may be required)
Host: World Peasants/Indigenous Organization (WPIO) advocates for the rights of indigenous populations (pygmies), including ending natural resource exploitation, slavery, discrimination, and sexual exploitation. It reaches, mobilizes, empowers, and links indigenous and rural communities through capacity building, lobbying, and advocacy for community development. WPIO’s vision is to foster equal, empowered, just, and self-sustaining communities in forests and rural areas. WPIO carries out sustainable life, peace, civic & health education programs for indigenous communities and the surrounding communities.
Qualifications:
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38. BOSNIA: Collaborating with Women Survivors of the Srebrenica Massacres to Seek Justice and Develop their Small Business
Based in: Tuzla, Bosnia
**Women applicants only, please
Host: Bosnian Family (“BOSFAM”) is a Bosnian women’s group that supports displaced and refugee women in Eastern Bosnia and offers a refuge to women survivors of the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. Based in Tuzla and Srebrenica, Bosfam trains women in clothes-making and the traditional Bosnian art of carpet weaving.
Qualifications:
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39. NEPAL: Building a National and International Campaign to Advocate for Women’s Reproductive Rights & Fight Uterus Prolapse
Based in: Kathmandu (Travel around Nepal required)
** Women Applicants Only, Please
Hosts: The Center for Agro-Ecology & Development (CAED) and the Women's Reproductive Rights Program (WRRP). CAED and the WRRP stumbled upon the issue of Uterus Prolapse during implementation of a community empowerment program in Eastern Nepal. Through their intensive and long-term work in the community, the local women began to talk with them about this highly problematic and stigmatized issue. Since that time, CAED and WRRP have been a national leader in the fight against Uterus Prolapse. CAED also serves as the secretariat for the Uterus Prolapse Alliance.
Qualifications:
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40. NEPAL: Collaborating with Dalit Journalists to Expose and End Caste Discrimination
Based in: Bhutwal, Nepal
Host: The Jagaran Media Center (JMC) was set up in 2000 by journalists from the Dalit (“untouchable,” lowest caste) community in Nepal. The organization appeals for eliminating discrimination and providing social justice, peace, and establishing human rights. It seeks to spotlight ongoing abuses against the Dalit.
Qualifications:
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41. NEPAL: Collaborating with Dalit Journalists to Expose and End Caste Discrimination
Based in: Kathmandu, Nepal
Host: The Jagaran Media Center (JMC) was set up in 2000 by journalists from the Dalit (“untouchable,” lowest caste) community in Nepal. The organization appeals for eliminating discrimination and providing social justice, peace, and establishing human rights. Using various forms of media, it seeks to spotlight ongoing abuses against the Dalit.
Qualifications:
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Apply for a Fellowship
New Fellowships Posted
Updated February 23, 2009
New Fellowships #1-15: Rolling Admission.
Fellowships #16-41: Applicaltion Deadline March 1, 2009.
To apply for any of the positions, please send your resume and cover letter by email to Tassos Coulaloglou at fellowships@advocacynet.org. Please list the position name in the subject of your email. Applicants do not need to be US citizens or attend US-based universities.
To gain a better understanding of each Fellowship experience, applicants are encouraged to:
In 2009, AP hopes to recruit between 30 and 40 Fellows to work in the field. All Fellows will be expected to provide AP's first service and profile their hosts through blogs, photos, video footage, and advocacy profiles. Only a limited number of Fellows will be helping partners to build their campaigns.
You may apply for more than one position, but please indicate in your cover letter your order of preference and explain why you are interested in each and why you would be a good fit for the fellowship. Several of the positions also require a writing sample.
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Rolling Admission for Fellowships #1-15 only
1. Survivor Corps Africa Project (Uganda): Promoting and protecting human rights of disabled individuals in Great Lakes Region of Africa
2. Survivor Corps Africa Project (Burundi/Rwanda): Promoting and protecting human rights of disabled individuals in Great Lakes Region of Africa
3. LSN – Vietnam: working to promote disability rights
4. LSN – El Salvador: working to promote disability rights
5. LSN – Colombia: working to promote disability rights
6. LSN – Jordan: working to promote disability rights
7. Asociación para Politicas Públicas (Argentina) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence.
8. Viva Rio (Brazil) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
9. Colegio Colombiano de Juristas (Colombia) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
10. South-Asia Partnership (Nepal) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
11. Centre for Social Studies/CES (Portugal) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
12. Victimology Society of Serbia (Serbia) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
13. Center for Conflict Resolution (CECORE) (Uganda) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
14. Project Ploughshares/Small Arms Working Group-Peacebuild (Canada) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
15. Breaking the Wall of Silence (Namibia) – IANSA global campaign to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence
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Fellowships #16-41 Application Deadline March 1, 2009
16. Women In Black (WIB): Mobilizing women to participate in non-violent resistance in Serbia
17. Kosova Women’s Network (KWN): Women’s rights, empowerment & equality
18. Dženo: Roma rights in the Czech Republic
19. NESPEC: Advocating for peace and human rights in Nepal
20. Backward Society Education (BASE): Work to promote equal rights for Tharu indigenous community in Southern Nepal
21. Backward Society Education (BASE): Work to promote equal rights for Tharu indigenous community in Southern Nepal
22. Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC): Empowering women in Palestinian society
23. Alternative Information Center (AIC): Middle East peace, bridging the gap and promoting equality in Israel & Palestine Territories
24. Democracy and Workers Rights Center (DWRC): Palestinian workers’ rights
25. Skills and Agricultural Development Services (SADS): Environmental Rights of rural Liberians
26. Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT): Legal Rights for prisoners in Guinea
27. Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT): Legal Rights for prisoners in Guinea
28. Arche d’Alliance: Defends human rights and promotes peace in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo.
29. Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran: Promoting minority rights and human rights amongst ethnic minorities in Iran
30. Dale Farm Housing Association: Irish Gypsy and Traveller rights in the United Kingdom
31. Blind Education & Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO): Using micro-credit to empower the disabled community, raising awareness about disabilities, and advocating for disability rights in Bangladesh
32. Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF): Increasing awareness and restoring the identity of forcibly disappeared peoples in Peru
33. ADIVIMA: Guatemalan indigenous rights & massacre survivors
34. Chintan: Advocating for economic and social rights of India’s informal sector (e.g. wastepickers)
35. Chintan: Advocating for economic and social rights of India’s informal sector (e.g. wastepickers)
36. Undugu: Socio-economic empowerment of street children in Kenya
37. World Peasants/ Indigenous Foundation (WPIO): Anti-slavery campaign for Pygmies in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
38. BOSFAM: Bosnian women massacre survivors
39. Uterine Prolapse Alliance: Advocating for women’s health in Nepal, specifically building a national and international campaign to expose a serious condition – uterine prolapse
40. Jagaran Media Center (JMC): Nepalese Dalit rights, ending caste discrimination
41. Jagaran Media Center (JMC): Nepalese Dalit rights, ending caste discrimination
APPLICANT RESTRICTION NOTICE: The Advocacy Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or other personal factors. However, given the highly sensitive nature of some of our positions, we must occasionally limit recruitment to women only for certain fellowships. This may be due to cultural and security constraints or to psychological considerations for beneficiaries. We hope you understand.
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Telling the Story of Disempowered Community: Three-Month Fellowship in the Field
1. UGANDA: Advocating for disabled survivor rights by promoting equal access and greater enforcement of disability rights in Great Lakes region.
Based in: Gulu, Uganda
Host: Survivor Corps’ Africa program works to promote the human rights of disabled survivors in the Great Lakes region. Survivor Corps works to break cycles of victimization and violence, individual by individual, country by country. At their core is a survivor-centered approach for victims of war to recover, rebuild their communities and change the world.
Qualifications:
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast); video editing experience (preferred)
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (direct experience preferred)
- Interest in Disability Rights advocacy, Human Rights Campaigns, International Law, and Media Relations
- Good computer skills
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Willingness to travel throughout region for reporting purposes
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
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2. BURUNDI and RWANDA: Advocating for disabled survivor rights by promoting equal access and greater enforcement of disability rights in Great Lakes region.
Based in: Kigali, Rwanda and Bujumbura, Burundi
Host: Survivor Corps’ Africa program works to promote the human rights of disabled survivors in the Great Lakes region. Survivor Corps works to break cycles of victimization and violence, individual by individual, country by country. At their core is a survivor-centered approach for victims of war to recover, rebuild their communities and change the world.
Qualifications:
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Proficient in French
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast); video editing experience (preferred)
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (direct experience preferred)
- Interest in Disability Rights advocacy, Human Rights Campaigns, International Law, and Media Relations
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Willingness to travel throughout region for reporting purposes
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
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3. VIETNAM: Promoting the Rights of Landmine Survivors through Community Mobilization, Website Development, Organizing Advocacy Campaigns, & Video Production
Based in: Dong Hoi City, Vietnam
Host: LSN Vietnam Landmine Survivors Network Vietnam was established in January 2003 to provide assistance to thousands of survivors in their recovery and inclusion in society. Quang Binh Province is one of the most heavily landmine/UXO-affected areas in Vietnam, and also one of the most underserved areas in the country.
Vietnam is plagued with approximately 350,000 tons of landmines and unexploded ordinances (UXO) left over from the Vietnam War, and it is estimated that as many as 3.5 million landmines are scattered throughout the countryside in Vietnam. As a result, the civilian population suffers over 2,000 casualties each year due to landmines and UXO. The national landmine priority in Vietnam is primarily restricted to mine clearance efforts, which impact economic development projects such as roads and bridges.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of the country/region and culture preferred
- Experience in production of video materials
- Interest in and familiarity with human rights advocacy, disability rights, community building and ICT
- Ability to work under time pressures
- Multitasking; team work
- Experience in working/living in a different cultural context desired
- Passion for promoting grassroots advocacy efforts
- Excellent writing and editing skills; journalism experience in South East Asia preferred
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4. EL SALVADOR: Advocating for the Human Rights Convention and Implementation of Salvadoran Disability Rights Laws with Conflict Survivors
Based in: San Salvador, El Salvador
Host: Landmine Survivors Network El Salvador (LSN ES) Created by and for survivors, LSN empowers individuals, families, and communities affected by landmines and conflict to recover from trauma, reclaim their lives, and fulfill their rights. LSN’s vision is a victim-free world where all people can fulfill their potential and contribute to a just and secure future. LSN links conflict survivors to each other and to opportunities to engage jointly in community service and campaign initiatives to protect people from injury and violence.
Qualifications:
- Advanced Spanish language skills, speaking and writing
- Excellent communication skills and ability to explain organizational goals and disability laws to individuals and groups
- Very strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with all levels of personnel and public
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Ability to break down projects into manageable tasks
- Interest in Disability Rights advocacy, Human Rights Campaigns, International Law, and Media Relations
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5. COLOMBIA: Advocating for Greater Social Inclusion of Conflict Survivors Through Communications-Based Human Rights Advocacy
Based in: Bogotá, Colombia
Host: Survivor Corps Colombia (SC Colombia) Formerly known as Landmine Survivors Network, SC Colombia was established in June 2007. Survivor Corps’ vision is a “Victim-Free World” where survivors of violence and war triumph over tragedy; a world where survivors are rebuilding their lives and thriving as leaders in their own communities, and raising their voices for peace. The three over-arching projects that the Colombia office has designed are:
1. Rebuilding communities through peer support: from victims to survivors, from former combatants to citizens
2. Rebuilding communities through social inclusion and peace building
3. The 1092 Campaign: putting into practice the right to work for people with disabilities in a context of armed conflict
Qualifications:
- Advanced Spanish (oral a must, and written preferred)\
- Understanding of issues relating to human rights, social justice and development
- Self-reliance, flexibility, and a sense of improvisation and creativity
- Experience networking and conducting outreach at national levels (highly recommended), international experience highly valued
- Experience working in a cross-cultural context highly valued
- Information and ICT skills
- Interest and knowledge of Latin America/Colombia highly valued
- Interest in working with survivors of conflict
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6. JORDAN: Advocating for Greater Social Inclusion of Landmine Survivors Through Media-Based Advocacy, Youth Participation, and Event Planning & Promotion
Based in: Amman, Jordan
Host: LSN Jordan was established in Amman in 1999 as the first amputee peer support group in the Middle East. LSN Jordan works with civilian landmine survivors and people with limb loss, as well as military survivors throughout the country. Among their many activities, LSN Jordan has been particularly active in ensuring that survivors and people with disabilities raise their voice and advocate for their rights in the country and internationally, and raising awareness of the general public about survivor rights.
Qualifications:
- Ability to work in a culturally sensitive manner and with an understanding of the rights of persons with disabilities
- Knowledge of the culture and country context helpful
- Advanced Arabic required
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Ability to multitask and develop products in a time-sensitive manner
- Experience or interest in advocating for human rights from a community level
- Communication skills both oral and in writing
- Creative thinker/problem solver
- Results oriented
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The next 9 Fellowships are deployed around the world with the Women’s Network of The International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA). IANSA is based in London and has over 800 member organizations in 120 countries, working to stop the proliferation and use of small arms and light weapons. Various members of their Women’s Network will begin a global campaign this summer to stop the proliferation of small arms and their use in domestic violence. Fellows will be based in: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Namibia, Nepal, Portugal, Serbia, Uganda. Find the postings below.
7. Host: Asociación para Politicas Públicas
Based in: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Qualifications:
- Proficient in Spanish (required)
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
8. Host: Viva Rio
Based in: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Qualifications:
- Proficient in Brazilian Portuguese (required)
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
9. Host: Colectivo Dignidad Humana
Based in: Cali, Colombia
Qualifications:
- Proficient in Spanish (required)
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
10. Host: South-Asia Partnership
Based in: Kathmandu, Nepal
Qualifications:
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
11. Host: Centre for Social Studies (CES)
Based in: Coimbra, Portugal
Qualifications:
- Proficient in Portuguese (required)
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
12. Host: Victimology Society of Serbia
Based in: Belgrade, Serbia
Qualifications:
- Serbian/Croatian/Bosnian speaker (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
13. Host: Center for Conflict Resolution (CECORE)
Based in: Kampala, Uganda
Qualifications:
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
14. Host: Project Ploughshares/Small Arms Working Group-Peacebuild
Based in: Waterloo, Canada
Qualifications:
- Proficient in English and French (required)
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
15. Host: Breaking the Wall of Silence
Based in: Windhoek, Namibia
Qualifications:
- Work experience in developing world (preferred)
- Familiarity using and creating new media (video, blogs, photos, podcast), editing experience (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
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16. SERBIA: Supporting Advocates for Women’s Rights
Based in: Belgrade, Serbia
**Women applicants only
Host: Women in Black’s (WIB) mission is to make visible nonviolent resistance to militarism, war, sexism, and nationalism. In short, all aspects of violence towards and discrimination against women and all those people different ethnically, religiously, culturally, sexually, and ideologically. Their goal is to prevent and resolve conflicts through dialogue, and above all instigate the active participation of women in the building of peace, in peaceful processes, and demilitarization. Women in Black is also a founding partner of the Women’s Peace Coalition (WPC), which brings together women from Kosovo and Serbia. Women in Black fulfills its mission through networking, research, advocacy, and women’s service.
Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Balkan/Serbian history
- Interest in the role of feminism in peacebuilding and activism
- Commitment to and knowledge of women’s issues and women’s rights
- Work experience in the Balkans (preferred)
- Writing skills
- Interest in blogging
- Knowledge of social networking (ICT and general)
- Organization and attention to detail
- ICT skills (website)
- Spanish speaking ability a plus (the Women in Black director speaks fluent Spanish)
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17. KOSOVO: Supporting Women’s Rights and Strengthening Ties between Advocates for Women’s Rights in Kosovo & Serbia
Based in: Priština
**Women applicants only, please
Host: The Kosova Women's Network's (KWN) mission is to support, protect, and promote the rights and the interests of women and girls throughout Kosovo, regardless of their political beliefs, religion, age, level of education, or ability. KWN plays a critically important role in articulating women’s rights during Kosovo’s political transition and is also one of the founders of the Women’s Peace Coalition (WPC), which brings together women from Kosovo and Serbia. KWN fulfills its mission through networking, research, advocacy, and women’s service.
Qualifications:
- Familiarity with Kosovo history
- Commitment to and knowledge of women’s issues and women’s rights
- Work experience in the Balkans (preferred)
- Writing skills
- Knowledge of social networking (ICT and general)
- Organization and attention to detail
- ICT skills (website - advanced)
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18. CZECH REPUBLIC: Advocating for Roma Rights
Based in: Prague, Czech Republic
**Please submit a writing sample with your application
Host: The Dženo Association is an independent Roma news and information service, as well as an advocacy and research organization. Emphasis is placed on influencing international actions concerning the Roma and increasing global awareness of Romany issues.
Qualifications:
- Understanding of issues relating to international mechanisms for the protection of human rights
- Familiarity with Roma issues (preferred)
- Media experience, particularly editing
- Work experience in East Europe (preferred)
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19. NEPAL: Supporting Advocates for Peace and Human Rights in Eastern Nepal
Based in: Gaighat, Eastern Nepal
Host: The Nepal Social Development and People’s Empowerment Center (NESPEC), founded in 1996, is an organization dedicated to realizing the highest ideals of peace, democracy, and human rights. NESPEC continues to function according to the fundamental principles of organizational transparency and inclusiveness. It works towards these ideals with an innovative approach that combines practical support for at-risk communities, community education and participation, and inter-agency networking. NESPEC is proud of the past contributions they have made to Eastern Nepal and look forward to an even more successful future.
Qualifications:
- Flexibility, patience, ability to live in difficult living conditions
- Experience working with audio-visual projects (preferred)
- Experience in program development, monitoring, and evaluation a plus
- Comfortable with networking and liaising with international agencies
- Excellent oral and written skills
- Knowledge of and interest in Nepal
- Field experience (Preferable)
- Experience of NGO work
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20-21. NEPAL: Promoting human rights and advocating against the practice of bonded labor (kamaiya) among the Tharu indigenous community in Nepal
Based in: Talsipur, Nepal
Host: Backward Society Education (BASE) is an NGO that aims to ensure that the children of former Kamaiyas, landless and other poor people (primarily Tharu people) have access and equal rights to free education. It also promotes the abolition of bonded labor and equal rights for all Nepalis.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of Hindu caste system and South Asian (Nepalese) history
- Basic IT-related technical skills a plus
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural team
- Experience working with audio-visual projects (preferred)
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Experience facilitating leadership and advocacy training to a marginalized population (preferred)
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22. MIDDLE EAST: Supporting Advocates for Women’s Rights & Empowerment
Based in: Ramallah, Palestinian Territories
**Women applicants only, please
Host: The Women’s Affairs Technical Committee (WATC) was established in 1992. WATC is a coalition of seven women's organizations, three women's centers, and individual women activists. WATC seeks to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women, to develop the role of women in society, and to empower women to assume decision-making positions. WATC pays special attention to marginalized and less privileged women, particularly women in rural areas and refugees, as well as focusing on women leaders and young potential leaders in order to facilitate their role in the process of national struggle and social change. WATC plays a central role in defending secular women’s rights at a time of pressure from the Israeli occupation and Palestinian fundamentalists.
Qualifications:
- Intermediate Arabic required, as well as native-level fluency in English
- Awareness of issues relating to the conflict, as well as challenges facing Palestinian civil society
- Interest in the role of women in social justice, peacebuilding, and development
- Understanding of advocacy and awareness-raising strategies (direct experience strongly preferred)
- Good computer & website skills
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
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23. THE MIDDLE EAST: Developing a Joint Peace Agenda between Israel and The Palestinian Territories
Based in: Jerusalem, Israel
*please submit a writing sample with your application
Host: The Alternative Information Center (AIC) is a joint Palestinian-Israeli organization which prioritizes advocacy, critical analysis, and information sharing to promote cooperation between Palestinians and Israelis based on the values of social and political justice, equality, solidarity, community involvement, and respect for the human rights of the Palestinian people.
Qualifications:
- Work experience in the Middle East (preferred)
- Proficiency in Arabic (preferred)
- Awareness of issues relating to the conflict, as well as challenges facing civil society in the Middle East
- Familiarity with Israeli-Palestinian conflict and related issues
- Website development skills (preferred) or some level of web/computer skills and ability and willingness to expand skill-set
- Ability to work in a difficult environment
- Excellent research, journalism, writing, and copy-editing skills (experience preferred)
- Commitment to and belief in the political analysis and mission of the AIC
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
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24. THE MIDDLE EAST: Advocating for Worker’s Rights in The Palestinian Territories
Based in: Ramallah, Palestinian Territories
Host: The Democracy and Workers' Rights Center (DWRC) – a non-governmental, non-profit organization that is not affiliated with any political party – was established in 1993 by a group of trade unionists, lawyers, academics, and political figures in the Palestinian society. Their mission is to spread labor and democracy education, strengthen the knowledge and skills of workers' leaders, and increase their awareness of their rights, as well as mechanisms to protect them. DWRC also works to provide legal aid and encourage workers to build their representative bodies on a democratic basis.
Qualifications:
- Experience of working in the Middle East (preferred)
- Knowledge of international human rights laws and norms, especially regarding labor
- Awareness of issues relating to the conflict, as well as challenges facing Palestinian civil society
- Understanding of advocacy and awareness-raising strategies (direct experience strongly preferred)
- Good computer & website skills
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
- Native-level fluency in English & intermediate Arabic required
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25. Liberia: protecting the environmental rights of Liberians and working to educate youth and rural Liberians about environmental issues
Based in: Monrovia, Liberia with extensive fieldwork outside capital
Host: Skills and Agricultural Development Services (SADS) works to protect the environmental rights of rural Liberians, especially those pertaining to deforestation by multinational logging corporations and the contamination of ground and surface water by mining practices. SADS works to educate the people of Liberia about their rights regarding rural land tenure and to mobilize them to advocate for equitable solutions. In organizing participatory dialogues and town hall meetings that engage communities and government officials, SADS is committed to working towards a society where communities use non-violent conflict resolution methods.
Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate cross culturally
- Previous experience working or living in Africa (preferred)
- Knowledge of African history, including the social, economic, educational, and political problems of the region
- Able to live in harsh conditions, extensive travel in Liberia
- Ability to improvise and find creative solutions to difficult problems
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26. Guinea: working to free wrongly imprisoned and tortured prisoners in Guinea.
Based in: Conakry, Guinea
Host: Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT; Equal Rights for All) works to reduce the prevalence of torture, wrongful imprisonment, and excessive use of force by Guinean security forces. MDT is working on a project concerning the legal rights of criminal defendants in Guinea's justice and penal systems, with a focus on how those rights can be improved, especially during criminal proceedings.
Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate cross culturally, French language proficiency required
- Previous experience working or living in Africa (preferred)
- Knowledge of African history, including the social, economic, educational, and political problems of the region
- Able to visit prisons and interview detainees
- Ability to improvise and find creative solutions to difficult problems
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27. Guinea: working to free wrongly imprisoned and tortured prisoners in Guinea.
Based in: Conakry, Guinea
Host: Mêmes Droits pour Tous (MDT; Equal Rights for All) works to reduce the prevalence of torture, wrongful imprisonment, and excessive use of force by Guinean security forces. MDT is working on a project concerning the legal rights of criminal defendants in Guinea's justice and penal systems, with a focus on how those rights can be improved, especially during criminal proceedings.
Qualifications:
- Advanced French language skills
- Commitment to human rights and knowledge of human rights tools and standards
- Academic background in International Law or Human Rights Law
- Experience in a law firm preparing briefs or as legal assistant (preferred)
- Previous experience working or living in Africa (preferred)
- Knowledge of African history, including the social, economic, educational, and political problems of the region
- Ability to improvise and find creative solutions to difficult problems
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28. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO – provides free legal support for victims of human rights violations and war crimes and supports income generating projects, peace-building workshops, conflict resolution and mediation seminars.
Based in: Uvira, DRC (travel in Great Lakes Region may be required)
Host: Arche D’Alliance works to promote peace and defend human rights. The NGO is involved in research, documentation of human rights violations, human rights education, legal aid to victims of rights violations, particularly disadvantaged children and female survivors of sexual violence and other forms of discrimination, and advocacy for legal reform to protect better the rights of women and children.
Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate cross culturally
- Work in Africa and Francophone Africa in particular (preferred)
- Advanced French language skills
- Knowledge of African history, including the social, economic, educational, and political problems of the region
- Ability to improvise and find creative solutions to difficult problems
29. CANADA: Promoting minority rights and human rights amongst ethnic minorities in Iran
Based in: Vancouver, Canada
Host: Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran (ADAPP) seeks to promote and increase awareness in Iran and globally concerning the human rights situation of the community of Azerbaijani Turkic speakers and other minorities in Iran.
Qualifications:
- Ability to improvise and find creative solutions to difficult problems
- Basic IT-related technical skills a plus
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural team
- Experience working with audio-visual projects (preferred)
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
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30. THE UNITED KINGDOM: Campaigning for the Rights of Irish Travelers, Advocating for Housing Rights and Against Evictions.
Based in: Essex, UK
Host: The Peace Fellow will work with the Dale Farm Housing Association, which represents the largest “Gypsy” and Traveler encampment in the UK and has been under threat of eviction for more than 5 years. Several “yards” (encampments) have already been bulldozed by the local authorities, and the case will come before the British High Court in early February. The Dale Farm Association is seeking the help of a dedicated human rights advocate, starting as soon as possible, to help them organize, advocate, and build their community association.
Qualifications:
- Self-starter who is not afraid to plunge him/herself into the community and hit the ground running
- Knowledge of international human rights laws and norms, especially regarding housing and freedom of movement (knowledge of UK laws a plus)
- Awareness of issues facing severely marginalized groups (Roma, Gypsy, Traveler population a plus)
- Understanding of key elements of effective advocacy and activism (direct experience preferred)
- Good computer skills
- Attention to detail
- Effective communication skills (oral & written)
- Willingness to travel throughout region for reporting purposes
- Self-starter, energetic, confident
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31. BANGLADESH: Using micro-credit to empower the disabled community, raising awareness about disabilities, and advocating for disability rights in Bangladesh
Based in: Dhaka, Bangladesh
Host: Since 1991, Blind Education and Rehabilitation Development Organization (BERDO) has been working for the development and protection of the disabled community in Bangladesh. Founded and run by individuals living with blindness themselves, BERDO’s programs include microcredit, rehabilitation, a Talking Library, scholarships, job placement, health services, and disability prevention. BERDO fulfills its mission through networking, research, advocacy, and service.
Qualifications:
- Understanding of disability issues, rights, and advocacy possibilities, including the new International Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities
- Knowledge and experience of microcredit (preferred)
- Sensitivity, flexibility, open-mindedness, and a willingness to confront new challenges
- Experience in advocacy or activism
- Networking and excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong writing skills
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32. PERU: Restoring the Identity of the Forcibly Disappeared & Seeking Justice for Survivors
Based in: Lima, Peru
Host: Equipo Peruano de Antropología Forense (or Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team – EPAF) applies forensic anthropology to the search for forcibly disappeared persons during the period of internal political conflict from 1982-2000. EPAF began work in 1997, when a group of Peruvian professionals working for the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia decided to apply their expertise in their own country. Their aim is to restore the identity of the thousands of missing Peruvians that rest in hidden burial sites across the country.
Qualifications:
- Commitment to human rights and knowledge of human rights tools and standards
- Intermediate Spanish
- Work experience in Latin America (preferable)
- Writing or journalism skill
- ICT skills (website, social networking)
- Willingness to travel
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33. GUATEMALA: Empowering Rural Communities to Seek Solutions after the 1980s Massacres
Based in: Rabinal, Guatemala
Host: The Association for the Integral Development of the Victims of Violence in the Verapaces, Maya Achí (ADIVIMA) is an indigenous organization whose mission is to seek solutions to social, economic, education, and political problems caused by the internal armed conflict of the 1980s; help ensure adherence to the Peace Accords; construct monuments in honor of the 49 Baja Verapaz massacres; facilitate the process of reflection and healing; and empower the communities so that they can be influential in governmental and social affairs and in the solutions to their own needs.
Qualifications:
- Ability to speak intermediate-high or advanced Spanish required
- Work in Guatemala or Latin America (preferred)
- Knowledge of Guatemala, including the social, economic, educational, and political problems caused by the internal armed conflict of the 1980s
- Sense of improvisation, creativity, and ability to work in ambiguous environments
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34. INDIA – Sustainable Consumption and Environmental and Social Justice
Based in: New Delhi, India
Host: Chintan was founded in 1999 to address issues of sustainable consumption and environmental and social justice. Chintan promotes strategies that secure environmental and social justice in a rapidly transforming India. Chintan believes that it is increasingly critical to work directly with the poor and marginal communities in India (e.g. waste pickers or “Waste Recyclers”) and form new kinds of partnerships to move us closer to a vision of an environmentally and socially just world. Chintan uses a grassroots approach that informs all of their work, right up to advocating for better policy at the state and central level.
Qualifications:
- Background in Environmental studies, particularly with emphasis on Carbon Trading (preferred)
- Creativity and sense of improvisation
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural team
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Advocacy or lobbying experience (preferred)
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35. INDIA – Sustainable Consumption and Environmental and Social Justice
Based in: New Delhi, India
Host: Chintan was founded in 1999 to address issues of sustainable consumption and environmental and social justice. Chintan promotes strategies that secure environmental and social justice in a rapidly transforming India. Chintan believes that it is increasingly critical to work directly with the poor and marginal communities in India (e.g. waste pickers, or “Waste Recyclers”) and form new kinds of partnerships to move us closer to a vision of an environmentally and socially just world. Chintan uses a grassroots approach that informs all of their work, right up to advocating for better policy at the state and central level.
Qualifications:
- Experience with photography and creating other types of audio-visual materials
- Experience in website design and additional IT-related technical skills
- Ability to work effectively in a cross-cultural team
- Experience working with audio-visual projects
- Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
- Preferred: Experience facilitating trainings
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36. KENYA – Contributing to the Socio-Economic Empowerment of Street Children and Other Vulnerable Youth
Based in: Nairobi, Kenya
Host: Undugu Society of Kenya works to improve the lives of street children and other marginalized youth through lobbying and giving them access to attainment of decent livelihoods through education, training and networking. They provide education and skills through their Undugu Basic Education Program as well as their Informal Skills Training Program. Undugu also aims to develop communities economically in order to prevent children to turning from the streets and in addition, they have implemented an Income Generating Program dedicated to finding ways to produce income for the poor.
Qualifications:
- Ability to communicate cross culturally
- Work in Africa and Kenya in particular (preferred)
- Knowledge of African history, including the social, economic, educational, and political problems of the region
- Experience working with children a plus
- Ability to improvise and find creative solutions to difficult problems
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37. UGANDA – Advocating to end discrimination against indigenous populations, stopping the exploitation of natural resources on their land, and promoting peaceful co-existence with surrounding communities
Based in: Kampala, Uganda (travel in Central Africa may be required)
Host: World Peasants/Indigenous Organization (WPIO) advocates for the rights of indigenous populations (pygmies), including ending natural resource exploitation, slavery, discrimination, and sexual exploitation. It reaches, mobilizes, empowers, and links indigenous and rural communities through capacity building, lobbying, and advocacy for community development. WPIO’s vision is to foster equal, empowered, just, and self-sustaining communities in forests and rural areas. WPIO carries out sustainable life, peace, civic & health education programs for indigenous communities and the surrounding communities.
Qualifications:
- Work in Africa or Global South (preferred)
- Knowledge of Great Lakes region, and specifically Uganda and Congo, including the social, economic, educational, and political challenges for the region
- Journalistic or story telling skills a plus
- Good grasp of multimedia, including video and photo or willingness to learn
- Sense of improvisation, creativity, and ability to work in ambiguous environments
- Good interpersonal skills and cross cultural awareness
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38. BOSNIA: Collaborating with Women Survivors of the Srebrenica Massacres to Seek Justice and Develop their Small Business
Based in: Tuzla, Bosnia
**Women applicants only, please
Host: Bosnian Family (“BOSFAM”) is a Bosnian women’s group that supports displaced and refugee women in Eastern Bosnia and offers a refuge to women survivors of the Srebrenica massacre of 1995. Based in Tuzla and Srebrenica, Bosfam trains women in clothes-making and the traditional Bosnian art of carpet weaving.
Qualifications:
- Experience in micro-enterprise development (preferred)
- Understanding of issues relating to refugees and post-conflict rehabilitation
- Strong understanding of and sensitivity to gender issues, especially in a Muslim context
- Website/IT skills, or demonstrated willingness to learn prior to departure, desired
- At least one year of graduate-level study in a relevant field, preferably business or marketing
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39. NEPAL: Building a National and International Campaign to Advocate for Women’s Reproductive Rights & Fight Uterus Prolapse
Based in: Kathmandu (Travel around Nepal required)
** Women Applicants Only, Please
Hosts: The Center for Agro-Ecology & Development (CAED) and the Women's Reproductive Rights Program (WRRP). CAED and the WRRP stumbled upon the issue of Uterus Prolapse during implementation of a community empowerment program in Eastern Nepal. Through their intensive and long-term work in the community, the local women began to talk with them about this highly problematic and stigmatized issue. Since that time, CAED and WRRP have been a national leader in the fight against Uterus Prolapse. CAED also serves as the secretariat for the Uterus Prolapse Alliance.
Qualifications:
- Self-starter who is willing to “jump into” a new campaign
- Experience networking and campaigning at local and international levels preferred
- Experience in program development & strategic planning
- Excellent communication skills (written, oral, presentation skills)
- Interest in and commitment to women’s and reproductive rights
- Knowledge of ICT and website development
- A medical background (a plus!)
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40. NEPAL: Collaborating with Dalit Journalists to Expose and End Caste Discrimination
Based in: Bhutwal, Nepal
Host: The Jagaran Media Center (JMC) was set up in 2000 by journalists from the Dalit (“untouchable,” lowest caste) community in Nepal. The organization appeals for eliminating discrimination and providing social justice, peace, and establishing human rights. It seeks to spotlight ongoing abuses against the Dalit.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of and interest in Nepal
- Knowledge of using radio and producing radio programs
- Experience networking and liaising with local and international agencies/organizations
- Experience delivering trainings
- Information and ICT skills
- Experience working in the field preferred
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41. NEPAL: Collaborating with Dalit Journalists to Expose and End Caste Discrimination
Based in: Kathmandu, Nepal
Host: The Jagaran Media Center (JMC) was set up in 2000 by journalists from the Dalit (“untouchable,” lowest caste) community in Nepal. The organization appeals for eliminating discrimination and providing social justice, peace, and establishing human rights. Using various forms of media, it seeks to spotlight ongoing abuses against the Dalit.
Qualifications:
- Knowledge of and interest in Nepal
- Journalism experience preferred
- Experience lobbying or organizing campaigns (preferred)
- Excellent writing and editing skills
- Experience networking and liaising with local and international agencies/organizations
- Information and ICT skills
- Experience working in the field preferred
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