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International Labour Organization – Wellesley in Latin America (Costa Rica) November 26, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in Costa Rica, Juniors, Summer 2009, Wellesley Internships in Latin America, advocacy, human rights, nonprofit, research, social responsibility, sophomores.
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The ILO was created in 1919, as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, to reflect the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.  As the world’s only tripartite multilateral agency, the ILO is dedicated to bringing decent work and livelihoods, job-related security and better living standards to the people of both poor and rich countries. It helps to attain those goals by promoting rights at work, encouraging opportunities for decent employment, enhancing social protection and strengthening dialogue on work-related issues.

The year 2009 is significant in many ways for the International Labour Organization (ILO). It is the 90th anniversary of the founding of the ILO, the 10th anniversary of its gender equality action plan and the year the International Labour Conference (ILC) will hold a general discussion on “Gender Equality at the Heart of Decent Work”.

In the lead-up to this discussion, the ILO is launching a global campaign on gender equality and the world of work. The objectives of this campaign are:

  • increase general awareness and understanding of gender equality issues in the world of work;
  • highlight the specific linkages between gender equality and securing decent work for all women and men;
  • promote the ratification and application of key ILO gender equality labour standards; and
  • advocate the importance of overcoming existing barriers to gender equality as beneficial for all.

The campaign is built around twelve Decent Work themes. These themes will be looked at through a gender lens, showing how various issues may affect women and men differently in their access to rights, employment, social protection and social dialogue. It is a one-year campaign, starting in June 2008 and ending in June 2009. The themes will be unveiled on this website throughout the year. For each of the campaign themes, an information brief will be made available, accompanied by a poster and a postcard. Events may be organized by ILO offices in different regions throughout the year.

The campaign actively reaches out to ILO constituents and the general public. For example, the campaign supports:

  • Activities around the 12 themes undertaken by governments, employers’ and workers’ organizations;
  • Efforts made by women’s associations, gender equality civil society groups and various academic gender and labour institutions to highlight the key issues;
  • Sharing of experiences, stories, video footage, photographs, and facts illustrating gender equality and/or gender-based discrimination in the world of work;
  • Promoting gender equality and decent work stories through local media and press, for example written articles, radio programmes or local television featuring special programmes.

 

Internship Description:

 

The intern at the ILO will work in a very dynamic field office, and be supervised by the Gender Specialist. She will work on the above described campaign, particularly in the production of national briefing sheets, articles and materials adapted to the Central America context. To do so, she will make use of the available research produced by the research department of the ILO-Subregional Office (Observatorio Laboral) as well as thematic reports such as the regional research on Women, Work and family responsibilities, subregional study on Youth Employment and others.

 

 

Ideal Internship Qualification:

Logistical:

Strong Academic background

Excellent written and oral communication skills

Interest on gender and labour issues

Personality:

Flexible

Motivated

Open minded

Detail oriented

Organized

Self starter

 

Organização das Mulheres de Cabo Verde (OMCV) – Anchor Point Internships (Praia, Cape Verde) November 19, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in Africa, Africana Studies, Anchor Point Internship in Global Leadership, Juniors, Summer 2009, advocacy, development, economics, education, health, human rights, nonprofit, peace and justice studies, research, sophomores, women.
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The Organização das Mulheres de Cabo Verde (OMCV) was founded in 1981 and is the principal women’s organization in the country. It has offices in all 14 districts of Cape Verde. The OMCV aims to promote the rights of women and their fuller participation in the democratic process of Cape Verde, to gain economic sustainability, and to educate themselves in health matters.

OMCV’s impact is felt at several levels as it providesmany services in addition to information about and training in women’s rights, including: literary programs and activities which reinforce literacy; offers skills training (e.g. sewing, typing, basic computer skills, commercial baking); promotes family planning (targeted particularly at 15 to 19-year-olds); undertakes health education, including education about HIV/AIDS; gives loans to women for income-generating activities; runs work day care centers for 4 to 6 years olds; and provides information about environmental issues. OMCV has planned exchange visits to Brazil and Portugal to study methods of transforming and training women about their rights.

Since March of 2000, OMCV has provided more than 400 loans totaling $214,458 to over 270 families, achieving a loan repayment rate of 99 percent. During the 12 months ending in October of 2001, OMCV collected $23,332 in interest and fees, against operating expenses of $22,555 — demonstrating steady progress toward operational sustainability. Its microcredit activities have also provided a credible platform to address its community development goals, such as literacy training, health promotion, and AIDS prevention counseling. The National Microcredit Steering Committee endorsed OMCV’s approach and the NGO has been actively engaged in legislative discussions about the role of civil society organizations in micro-credit
services.

Internship Description:
Cape Verde is an archipelago composed of ten islands. It is only slightly larger than Rhode Island, and located 385 mi (500 km) west of Senegal. The intern will work with the staff in the Praia office. Praia is a city of approximately 100,000 inhabitants.
The OMCV runs several HIV/AIDS programs, including prevention and education, psychological support for families, work with community leaders. One intern will work in the HIV/AIDS prevention and education area.
The second intern will work on the microfinance area of OMCV. In 1999, with support from the African Development Foundation, OMCV created a new microfinance department, and with ACDI/VOCA assistance OMCV began to unlearn bad lending practices and adopt new procedures that will lead to sustainability. Previously, OMCV had disbursed loans to urban and rural women microentrepreneurs at very low rates of interest and with an unsustainable level of loan recovery.

Ideal Internship Qualification:

Logistical:

Current Sophomores and Juniors

All majors encouraged to apply—interest in women’s health, education, development, microfinance, sustainability, social issues, peace and justice, human rights, encouraged to apply.

 

Knowledge of Portuguese or Spanish preferred.

Personality:

Flexible

Motivated

Open minded

Detail oriented

Organized

Self starter

Patient

Able to live simply

Kapatiran – LUCE Program (Japan) November 17, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in Asian studies, Japan, Japanese, Juniors, Luce, Social Sciences, Summer 2009, advocacy, human rights, nonprofit, service learning, sophomores, women.
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Kapatiran (which means “Sisterhood/Brotherhood” in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines) is a private, non-profit organization created by the Tokyo Diocese of Nippon Sei Ko Kai (Anglican Church of Japan) in 1988 to address a variety of issues faced by Filipino migrants in Japan. The Tokyo Diocese provides the organization with very modest office space on their grounds in central Tokyo. The office has a small staff, most of whom work part time. Kapatiran’s telephone counseling lines are open two days a week for counseling in Tagalog and Japanese. The calls received are mostly from Filipino women in distress such as those who are victims of domestic violence; migrants who have overstayed their visa and others who need counselling. Many callers require legal, medical and other forms of assistance and Kapatiran counsellors and caseworkers help them access available resources. Kapatiran is completely independent of Japanese government funding and relies on donations from Christian churches and individual donors.

Internship Description:

Kapatiran is looking for a student with a strong interest in human rights’ issues and a commitment to peace, justice and gender issues. Since this is a very small and simple office, the job is very hands on, and the student is expected to blend well with her older workmates. People at Kapatiran share their desks and all the organization duties—no job, big, or small, is beyond their responsibility. Interns will be able to observe day – to – day operation of a migrant support organization run by dedicated people.The intern will help around the office in all areas: assist with counselors with their cases; assisting the office staff in general duties, including any research, writing, or outreach. They may be asked to accompany caseworkers to courts, hospitals, government offices, or shelters.

Ideal Internship Qualifications:

Logistical:

Interest in women’s issues (violence against women and children, human rights issues, human trafficking), migration; social issues

Interest or conversational skill in Japanese and /or Tagalog

Personality:

Patient

Energetic / Dependable

Ability to cultivate relationships with individuals from a variety of occupational backgrounds

Analytical mind

Creative

Good listener

 

Operation Asha – Wellesley in India (New Delhi) November 17, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in Hindi, India, Juniors, NGO, New Delhi, Summer 2009, Wellesley in India, advocacy, development, health, human rights, nonprofit, peace and justice studies, public health, service learning, social responsibility, sophomores.
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Organization Description:

Operation ASHA is a registered nonprofit based in Delhi, India and Chicago, IL. It’s mission is to eradicate tuberculosis by bringing high quality treatment to the doorsteps of India’s urban slum dwellers. TB has reached epidemic proportions in India, claiming 400,000 lives and newly infecting 2.2 million people every year. India currently accounts for one-fifth of the world’s TB burden.

 Operation ASHA, the largest and most successful NGO in Delhi TB control, has 34 TB DOTS centers covering a population of about 1 million. These centers operate at a convenient time and place for patients in the slum who otherwise have no way to access quality services. Operation ASHA provides free treatment and counseling to about 1,200 patients at a time, having successfully treated thousands over the last three years.

 With all of Operation ASHA’s success, there is still much more work to be done. Operation ASHA is currently looking to expand its services to many more of Delhi’s 1080 slum areas, as well as areas across North India. Operation ASHA also now runs a low-cost community health clinic. The clinic is located in a rag pickers’ colony and treats approximately 3,000 patients every month. At this facility, two primary care physicians provide examination, consultation, and medicines to patients for just Rs. 13 per day. They treat illnesses such as diarrhea, cough, fever, infections, worm infestation, cuts, wounds, and burns.

 For more details, please visit our website www.opasha.org.

Internship Description:

All interns will begin their time with Operation Asha by visiting treatment centers and viewing all aspects of the functioning of the organization.  Based upon her strengths, interests, and qualification the intern will work with her supervisor on one or more of the following areas:

Organizational Development /Communications

  • Improve Operation ASHA’s public visibility through various media outlets
  • Maintain, update, and improve website
  • Learn about organizational strategy for developmental health services
  • Develop working knowledge of non-profit finance, including accounting and costing
  • Complete office administrative tasks, including drafting and editing documents and grant proposals
Health Services Research
  • Analyze health services data and develop current assessment and future trends
  • Quantify quality control measures and develop useful reports of patient data (ie. Cost per patient, or the relationship between distance to nearest treatment center and the total number of patients)
  • Research potential areas of expansion of health services, including having a diagnostic lab and treating MDR-TB

 Medicine/Global Developmental Care (proficiency in Hindi required)

  • Work alongside counselors and physicians in slum health centers
  • Observe clinical treatment of patients with TB and other ailments
  • Conduct detailed quality control checks and develop in-depth understanding of TB DOTS program
Other
  • Meet with and learn from leading global health experts, including WHO and Indian government officials, and renowned medical doctors and scientists
  • Help organize educational awareness campaigns in the community

Research of funding and donors

  • Assist the development office of Operation ASHA

 

 

Ideal Internship Qualification:

Logistical:

Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Interest in public health and social justice

Hindi language skills helpful, but not required

Personality:

Ability to work in challenging conditions

Flexible

Resourceful

Mature

Independent

 

 

Gandhian Institute of Studies (Trust) – Wellesley in India (Varanasi) November 10, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in Hindi, India, Juniors, Summer 2009, Wellesley in India, advocacy, human rights, nonprofit, public policy, research, sophomores, women.
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The Gandhian Institute of studies (Trust) is of historical importance, initially having been started to build connections between social sciences and the world of social change. Since the early sixties it has been a hub of alternative thinking. The institute has hosted many important resident scholars including, Ernst Friedrich “Fritz” Schumacher, author of Small is beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered. Headed by one of the greatest living Gandhian Ideologues, the institute has many fine scholars, who are experts on topics including, the uplift of the Indian peasantry, caste systems, women’s issues, and sustainable development.

Dr.Muniza Khan is a fine scholar on Muslim women and an energetic Registrar of the Institute. She is also a legendary social reformer who fought against purdah and other problems in Varanasi. Her Ph.D thesis explored the effects of on Muslim customs and laws Muslim on women and marriages. Dr. Khan’s is currently negotiating with an Irish University to making a film on weavers in Varanasi.

Internship Description:
An intern with at the Gandhian Institute of Studies (Trust) will work closely with Dr. Khan on research projects related to social change and human rights in Varanasi, India. This research will include both literature review and field components. An intern should also have her own research interests. The intern will also complete other office tasks and fieldwork as needed.

Ideal Internship Qualifications:

 

Logistical:

Current Sophomores and Juniors

An interest in South Asia, Human Rights, Muslim Women, Social Change, Hindu-Muslim relations, Communal politics, and/or Research required.

Hindi language a plus, but not required

Personality:

Mature

Motivated

Independent and resourceful

Flexible

Willing to take on challenges

 

 

Social Accountability International (SAI) – American Cities Internship Program (New York) November 6, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in American Cities Program, Juniors, New York, Summer 2009, advocacy, analyst, business, communication, human rights, job development, marketing, nonprofit, public policy, research, sophomores.
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About Social Accountability International

Social Accountability International, a nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization, seeks to improve workplaces and communities around the world by developing and promoting voluntary standards combined with independent verification and public reporting.

Social Accountability International is a rapidly growing organization founded in 1997 to develop a system that can ensure — regardless of industry or geographic location — that business practices for auditing and certification of workplace relations are carried out in a responsible manner. The system that SAI has developed includes a standard that adheres to ILO and Human Rights conventions, and a program for monitoring by a third party. The standard, Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000), was developed by SAI with the help and counsel of the SAI Advisory Board.

The Advisory Board includes individuals with a diverse range of experience, including work with corporations, human rights organizations, and labor unions. In addition to benefiting from the active participation of its advisory board members, SAI has also drawn from the longtime experience of the Council on Economic Priorities, which established it.

For more information about SAI, please visit www.sa-intl.org

.

Internship descriptions

Social Accountability International is offering two internships as follows:

  1. Marketing and Fundraising Internship
    issue areas: elimination of sweatshops; business and human rights; monitoring of labor standards in workplacesSAI seeks highly motivated interns to help plan and market SAI’s annual conference and benefit dinner. The types of activities would include the following:

    • develop Web content regarding conference panels and sponsors
    • prepare letters and conduct follow up with conference and benefit speakers
    • maintain a database of speaker and attendee registration information
    • conduct outreach to promotional partners and develop marketing materials for the events
    • help organize the logistics of the events
    • track sponsors and conduct follow up as needed
    • expand press list and assist with drafting and distribution of press releases
    • provide additional support as needed with development, outreach and recruitment for conference and benefit

 

  1. General Internship
    issue areas: business and human rights; monitoring of labor standards in workplaces; elimination of sweatshopsSAI seeks highly motivated interns interested in research, management procedures, and the elimination of sweatshops worldwide. The position requires a person interested in how businesses implements standards for respecting labor rights and addressing overall workplace issues, including costs and benefits. The types of activities would include the following:

    • provide research and management support for programs in China, Vietnam, Italy, and NYC and development of potential new programs in India and Brazil
    • provide research and management support for a joint project of the six leading labor rights code programs (SAI, ETI, FLA, CCC, WCR & FWF), seeking ways and means to work cooperatively, to be tested in Turkey
    • collect and organize data for country diagnostics on labor issues and on country labor legislation
    • organize a portion of the annual SAI conference and special event
    • perform case studies and cost/benefit analyses relating to working hours, living wage, and other aspects of humane business practices
    • maintain office systems and management and organize new systems
    • manage incoming information requests and database tracking system
    • identify and research potential sources of grants for SAI and assist in preparation of proposals and progress reports

 

 

Ideal Internship Qualification:

Logistical:

Current Sophomores and Juniors.

Motivated students interested in research, management procedures, and the elimination of sweatshops worldwide.

Interest in businesses, labor rights.

Personality:

Flexible

Motivated

Open minded

Detail oriented

Organized

Self starter

 

Citizen’s Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR) – Internships in International Human Rights Organizations November 3, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in East Asian languages and literature, Internships in International Human Rights Organizations, Juniors, Korea, Korean, NGO, Summer 2009, advocacy, anthropology, economics, human rights, international relations, nonprofit, political science, sociology, sophomores.
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Citizen’s Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR)

Internships in International Human Rights Organizations

Citizens’ Alliance for North Korean Human Rights (NKHR) is a non-governmental, non-profit and non-partisan organization working to improve the human rights situation of the people in North Korea as well as those North Koreans who have fled their country for various reasons. It was founded among human rights activists, intellectuals, and North Korean defectors in May 1996. NKHR has been dedicated to improving the dismal human rights situation in North Korea and helping the North Korean refugees in their plight by way of carrying out an international campaign in collaboration with individual human rights advocates, as well as NGOs worldwide. NKHR also assists North Korean defectors in South Korea with their resettlement into a new society. By protecting the human rights of North Koreans, NKHR hopes to uphold the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to contribute to the peaceful reunification and integration of North and South Koreas. For more information, please visit http://www.nkhumanrights.or.kr

Internship Description:
An internship with the NKHR will allow a student to participate in organizing international and domestic events related to the issue of human rights and North Korean refugees. Potential projects include working with NKHR staff and volunteers in assisting with the resettlement of North Korean defectors in South Korea, involvement in volunteer education and training, conducting research on refugees from the North Korea and updating archives, including NKHR quarterly journal and Web site. Other duties may include assisting the staff to organize international campaigns on related issues of human rights and refugees.

Ideal Internship Qualification:

Logistical:
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Sophomores and Juniors
All majors are encouraged to apply.
Background or majoring in Political Science, Economics, Sociology, or East Asian Studies.
Interest in Human Rights issues.
Knowledge of North-South Korea conflict.		 Personality:
Energetic
Self-starter
Independent worker
Willing to adapt

Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights: Lumpkin Summer Institute for Service Learning – Boston January 29, 2008

Posted by cwslibrary in Boston, Juniors, Lumpkin Summer Institute for Service Learning, Social Sciences, Summer 2008, advocacy, health, human rights, language skillls, law, research, service learning, sophomores, technology.
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Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights
Lumpkin Summer Institute for Service Learning – Boston

Mission
Located at the Boston Medical Center, The Boston Center for Refugee Health and Human Rights’ mission is to provide comprehensive health care for refugees and survivors of torture, coordinated with legal aid and social services. We also educate and train professionals: who serve this patient population; advocate for health and human rights both domestically and internationally; a who conduct clinical, epidemiological, and legal research for the better understanding, promotion of health, and quality of life for the survivors of torture and related trauma. Through an innovative model of out-patient care, the Center provides comprehensive medical, mental health, and dental care—coordinated with legal and social services—to over 450 individuals from 67 countries each year. Interpreter services are available for over 30 languages to aid in the healing journey of each individual.

Internship Description:
This position seeks to provide additional administrative support for the daily operations of the Refugee program. Responsibilities for this position vary according to the changing needs of the Center. They may include data entry, event planning, attending meetings, and special projects. Volunteers will have the opportunity to interact with an interdisciplinary team in a dynamic hospital setting. There will be ample learning opportunities. The ability to work independently and in a team, as well as excellent knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, is required.

 

Ideal Internship Qualification:

Logistical:
Interest in Human Rights
Current Sophomores and Juniors
All Majors encouraged to apply		 Personality:
Takes initiative
Culturally sensitive
Flexibility

Defensoría de la Mujer: Wellesley in Costa Rica Program December 1, 2007

Posted by cwslibrary in Costa Rica, Juniors, Spanish, Summer 2008, Wellesley in Costa Rica, advanced, advocacy, government, health, human rights, language skillls, law, public policy, research, sophomores, women.
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Lunch with the Staff at the Defensoria

Lunch with the Staff at the Defensoria

Defensoría de la Mujer
Wellesley in Costa Rica Program (WICR)

 

 

The Defensoría de la Mujer is a division of the more general Defensoría de los Habitantes, an organization with links to the Costa Rican state. Both the Defensoría de los Habitantes and the Defensoría de la Mujer seek to uphold human rights as well as the specific rights of the Costa Rican Constitution. However, the Defensoría de la Mujer has a more specific relationship with the Costa Rican state that consists of bringing to light violations of women’s rights committed by the state or its workers. The office hears complaints from women who disclose violations of their rights and trains them through workshops on topics ranging from sexual harassment to domestic violence. The women at the Defensoría de la Mujer work to support El Hogar de la Esperanza, a home where women with AIDS live, and meet with and support the issues faced by indigenous and African-Costa Rican women. In addition, the head of the Defensoría de los Habitantes meets each year with the Legislative Assembly to present the organization’s annual report, which includes all findings from each of its divisions.

Internship Possibilities:
An intern here will work in the field of women’s rights. Advanced Spanish language skills and a deep interest in the general field of women’s rights are required for this internship. An ideal candidate also will possess the skills, methodology, and background necessary to conduct concrete research projects of short duration in this field.

Ideal Internship Qualification:

Logistical:
Current Sophomores and Juniors
Advanced Spanish language skills
Deep interest in women’s rights, legal issues, policy issues
Posses skills, methodology and background necessary to conduct concrete research projects of short duration in this field
Students with interest in public policy, law, advocacy, human rights, womens’ rights, public health and government are encouraged to apply.		 Personality:
Open minded
Detail oriented
Motivated
Independent worker