Duke Human Rights Center

International Organizations

• 2011 Scholars at Risk Internships

  Scholars at Risk is an international network of universities and colleges working to promote academic freedom and defend the human rights of scholars worldwide. SAR provides direct assistance to threatened scholars, organizing public awareness and capacity-building activities, and undertakes research and advocacy to improve academic freedom conditions worldwide.

• HUMAN RIGHTS RESOURCE CENTER

  For first and second year law students:The Human Rights Resource Center is an integral part of the University of Minnesota Human Rights Center and works in partnership with the University of Minnesota Human Rights Library to: * Create and distribute Human Rights Education (HRE) resources via electronic and print media; * Train activists, professionals, and students as human rights educators; * Build advocacy networks to encourage effective practices in human rights education; * Support the World Programme for Human Rights Education (2005-2007) and the United Nations Decade for Human Rights Education (1995-2004).Protecting and promoting human rights throughout the world can be a life-changing experience as you are personally involved in helping to generate social change. Having an international human rights internship may not only give you the opportunity to learn about other peoples, cultures and current human rights issues while being engaged in the process of social transformation, but it may also help you in more clearly determining where your educational and professional future will lead.See the Human Rights Resource Center website for more information.

• AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

  Amnesty International is a non-profit organization that campaigns for universal human rights. They undertake research initiatives in countries to expose human rights violations. They have 1.8 million volunteers from over 150 different countries. Historically, Amnesty International has focused on freeing prisoners of conscience, ensuring fair trials for political prisoners, abolishing the death penalty and torture, ending extrajudicial executions and “disappearances,” and fighting to assure human rights violators are held legally accountable for their actions. Their campaigns are broad and cover many different issues. Current appeals for human rights activism include: addressing the degrading practices of detention in Greece, universal abolishment of the death penalty, releasing Saidzhakhon Zainabitdinov, and a campaign for child rights. For current job opportunities please visit their website. Unpaid internships are available at the International Secretariat offices in London, Geneva, and New York. To apply for an internship with Amnesty International visit the website at http://web.amnesty.org/jobs/internships. They do cover travel and lunch expenses on days that you work. For general information please visit the Amnesty USA’s website, call, or write to the USA office.
  Amnesty International-Turkey accepts applications from university students interested in working on human rights in Turkey.

• CENTER FOR JUSTICE & ACOUNTABILITY (CJA)

  

  The Center for Justice & Accountability (CJA) is a San Francisco-based international human rights organization dedicated to ending torture and other severe human rights abuses around the world and advancing the rights of survivors to seek truth, justice and redress. CJA uses litigation to hold perpetrators individually accountable for human rights abuses, develop human rights law, and advance the rule of law in countries transitioning from periods of abuse. CJA was founded CJA in 1998 with support from Amnesty International and the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture to represent torture survivors in their pursuit of justice.

  Information about internships is available here.

• THE CARTER CENTER

Founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter,  the Atlanta-based Carter Center has helped to improve the quality of life for people in more than 70 countries. The Center, in partnership with Emory University, is committed to advancing human rights and alleviating unnecessary human suffering; it seeks to prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health.  The Carter Center collaborates with other organizations, public or private, in carrying out its mission. The Center has Fall, Spring & Summer internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as for recent graduates. Internships are available in Peace, Health, and Operations Programs, both at the Carter Center and internationally. Visit the Carter Center’s Internships page for more information on application requirements and deadlines.

• COMMITTEE TO PROTECT JOURNALISTS

  The Committee to Protect Journalists was founded in 1981. It is an independent nonprofit founded to promote press freedom worldwide. It actively defends the rights of journalists to report the news without persecution. Without free press fundamental human rights are jeopardized. Currently positions in Asia and American offices are open. For more information email or visit the website.

• THE ELECTRONIC FRONTIER FOUNDATION

  The Electronic Frontier Foundation works to protect information freedoms and Civil Liberties associated with new technologies. This nonprofit organization champions consumer rights in high profile cases involving filesharing, bloggers’ rights and intellectual properties. EFF offices are located in San Francisco, CA. They are currently jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities available. Internship and Volunteer positions are unpaid. For more information visit their website.

• GENOCIDE INTERVENTION NETWORK / SAVE DARFUR COALITION
  

Established in 2005, Genocide Intervention Network is mobilizing the first permanent anti-genocide constituency committed to stopping the worst atrocities around the world. It includes a worldwide coalition of investors, a national fellowship of local leaders across the United States and over 1,000 student chapters at colleges and high schools. We focus on situations of genocide and mass atrocity, which we define as the systematic killing, severe torture or rape of civilians on a massive scale. Genocide Intervention Network has expanded its efforts beyond Darfur, to include conflict areas such as Burma, and Democratic Republic of Congo. Read more about our eight areas of concern.

Internships are available for undergraduate, graduate students or recent graduates who are available for at least 20 to 40 hours per week for a duration of at least 2-3 months. Internships are unpaid, but academic credit may be arranged on an individual basis. Please visit the GI-NET’s Internships page for further information.

• GLOBAL EXCHANGE

  Global Exchange champions international human rights issues through people-to-people ties. They are dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world. They currently have programs for traveling and working in Africa, Americas, Middle East, and Europe. Volunteers and Interns work in the San Francisco, CA office or as advocates and guides on the worldwide programs. For more information visit the intern information website.

• HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

  Human Rights Watch employs over 150 journalists, lawyers, academics, and country specialists. As the largest human rights organization based out of the United States, HRW conducts fact finding investigations throughout the world. They publish their material in extensive reports and work with the governments of nations to alleviate the human rights abuses. They are based out of New York but have offices in Brussels, London, Moscow, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Tashkent, Toronto, and Washington. For more information on who HRW is and what they have done visit their website. For employment opportunities please visit their website. HRW offers extensive benefits to their employees including medical and dental care for you, your dependents and domestic partner (same or opposite sex) as of first day of employment, 20 vacation days as of your first year of employment, “bankable” sick days, and an outstanding pension plan (a 10% employer contribution after two years of employment, no employee match required, fully vested). In addition, we offer opportunities for professional development to all staff, including comprehensive in-house training programs, tuition reimbursement up to $1,000 per year, flexible spending accounts, pre-tax transit reimbursements, and free auditing at a local university. HRW provides parental leave, and 3-month paid sabbaticals each 7 years. In addition, flexible schedules and telecommuting can often be arranged. For general information please visit Human Rights Watch’s website.

• Humanity In Action (HIA)

  Humanity in Action (HIA) is a New York-based organization that seeks to engage, inspire, and empower future human rights leaders through a transnational fellowship in which the fellows complete self-directed research projects that address contemporary minority issues and engage prominent human rights leaders.

• INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE (ICTJ)

  ICTJ is a non-profit organization that assists countries in addressing human rights abuses, and past mass atrocities. ICTJ works in societies emerging from repressive rule or armed conflict, as well as in established democracies where historical injustices or systemic abuse remain unresolved. It aids in reconciliation processes in these countries. Contact ICTJ for information on fellowship programs at their website.

• INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO BAN LANDMINES

  International Campaign to band Landmines is a nonprofit organization striving to ban antipersonnel landmines globally. Landmines indiscriminately kill or injure children, women, and men as well as soldiers. 80 countries are currently affected by the landmines. It is impossible to know how many landmines exist globally. To receive emails with information about landmines-related job openings please subscribe to the ICBL Job Vacancies Yahoogroup by sending a blank email to icblvacancies-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. For more information visit their website.

• INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS

  Established in 1863, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) improves humanitarian conditions through protecting the dignity and lives of victims of warfare and internal violence. It directs and coordinates international relief to these victims. It also promotes prevention of human suffering through strengthening international humanitarian law. For a list of current job vacancies visit their website.

• LUTHERAN WORLD RELIEF

  The Lutheran World Relief works in 50 countries battling poverty and the indignity impoverished people face. They are a non-profit relief agency founded in 1945. Through championing fair-trade and educational programs, they help local people combat the effects of natural and man-made disasters. For a list of job opportunities visit their website.

• OXFAM AMERICA

  Oxfam America is an international development and relief agency and an affiliate of Oxfam International. Through coalitions with local partners, Oxfam provides development programs and emergency relief services, and campaigns for change in global practices and policies that keep people in poverty. Oxfam America offers student internships and volunteer positions. Interns may work for credit or a university provided stipend. For job opportunities visit the website.

• PHYSICIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

  Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) advances health issues by protecting human rights. PHR believes that human rights are essential for the health and well-being of all people. PHR exposes human rights violations through medical and scientific methods. PHR educates health professionals, medical, public health, and nursing students, and members of the public to become activists for human rights. For current job opportunities visit the PHR website.

• SAVE THE CHILDREN

  Save the Children strives to make lasting change for children in need in the United States and around the world. Their programs educate and encourage self-sufficiency to address health, education, and survival of youth populations in the United States and the world. It is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance, comprising 27 national Save the Children organizations working in more than 100 countries to ensure the well-being of children. For a list of current job listings and volunteer opportunities visit their website.

• WITNESS

SEE it, FILM it, CHANGE it. WITNESS is an international human rights organization that provides training and support to local groups to use video in their human rights advocacy campaigns. Beyond providing video cameras and editing equipment, WITNESS is committed to facilitating exposure for our partners’ issues on a global scale. We help broker relationships with international media outlets, government officials, policymakers, activists, and the general public so that once a video is made, it can be used as a tool to advocate for change. To read more about us, visit the About WITNESS page. Internships are unpaid, but academic credit can be arranged on an individual basis. Visit the WITNESS Internship page for more information.