Office of International Programs

aidha
Location: Singapore, Singapore
aidha is a not-for-profit organization that delivers financial and entrepreneurship education to women migrant workers who want to expand their economic opportunities and build brighter futures for themselves and their families. Inspired by UNIFEM’s National Committee, aidha provides confidence-building, money management, entrepreneurship training, and the micro-credit services necessary to launch small businesses. aidha is looking for IIP candidates who have interests in any of the following areas: business, law, research, marketing, women empowerment, education, and migration issues.  Singapore is an English-speaking country, but an intern with Mandarin, Tamil, Bahasa, or Bangla language skills would be equipped to make a unique contribution. Three placements have been established for International Internship Program (IIP) interns, who will work on either core team projects, operations and teaching, or an independent project in any of the following five areas:

• Research
• Program Development
• Fundraising
• Marketing
• Human Resources

Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE)
Location: Singapore, Singapore
AWARE, or the Association of Women for Action and Research, is Singapore’s leading women’s rights advocacy group. Since its formation in 1985, it has carried out research into gender inequality and other issues relevant to women and advocated for changes in laws, policies, and mindsets that discriminate against women. AWARE also has a direct services arm and is building its training services. AWARE welcome interns who have an interest in gender issues, sociology, and Southeast Asia and can help in research and advocacy work and/or training programs. IIP intern responsibilities will include assisting in day-to-day operations, including training and communication programs; generating bi-weekly newsletters; primary and secondary research; and report writing. AWARE's current research projects/programs examine the laws, policies, and issues that women face in the areas of human rights (society and work place discrimination), economics (wage), and media (body image). Strong writing ability would be an advantage, as would web/new media skills. The language of this IIP internship is English. Academic background in gender studies, sociology, and/or Southeast Asia/Asia would be an asset. Two placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns. View a Powerpoint presentation (.pdf) by a past intern at AWARE

Ashoka Arab World
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Ashoka is the global association of the world’s leading social entrepreneurs—men and women with system changing solutions for the world’s most urgent social problems. Since 1981, Ashoka has elected over 2,000 leading social entrepreneurs as Ashoka Fellows, providing them with living stipends, professional support, and access to a global network of peers in more than 60 countries. IIP interns in Ashoka’s Middle East/North Africa program (MENA)/Ashoka Arab World work in the Cairo office with professionals and entrepreneurs committed to supporting an influential civil society worldwide. IIP interns are expected to demonstrate Ashoka’s core values of applied empathy, entrepreneurship and collegiality, and commitment to innovation for the public. Ashoka Arab World seeks committed and professional IIP interns with whom it will work to tailor an internship that fits its needs while considering interns' interests and level of experience. IIP interns are typically placed within one of the following areas, although most IIP interns will assist in more than one area: 

1. Fellows Search and Selection Program: Assist in the search and selection of leading social entrepreneurs for the Ashoka Fellowship by identifying strong candidates and nominators. The intern will also assist candidates in the application process, conducting interviews, and field visits.
2. Fellowship program: Assist Fellowship Team in maintaining relationships with Fellows by conducting field visits for a deeper understanding of the initiatives of social entrepreneurs and to maximize their reach and impact.
3. Collaborative Platforms Program: Assist in launching and implementing our Collaborative Platforms--business-social units addressing systemic problems such as children in street conditions and job creation for disabled. This area will involve carrying out sector mapping and need assessments for organizations operating in these sectors.
4. Multimedia Program: Develop new multimedia materials (videos, photos, podcasts, etc.) about Ashoka Fellows. Document Ashoka's events and field visits in an innovative way and design AAW's roll-ups, banners, publications, etc.
5. Diaspora Program: The Global Diaspora Initiative is one of Ashoka's fundraising strategies. Interns will be able to discover the ins and outs of strategic engagement building through doing research, building databases and other support work.
6. Operations: Trouble shoot, multi-task, and learn how an NGO operates and recruits its team. Attention to detail and positive attitude are key!
7. Translation: Assist in translating English-Arabic and/or Arabic-English AAW publications, in addition to updating the Arabic version of Ashoka Arab World website, in a way that reflects the organization's mission and vision clearly to both English and Arabic audiences.
8. Development Program: Help achieve AAW’s development and fundraising plan, with a specific focus on research for: donors, partners and proposal writing, along with compiling a database of potential strategic partners.
9. Women Initiative for Social Entrepreneurship (WISE): Help us identify and engage supporters for our women's initiative. Lead the fundraising process to engage foundations and corporations by writing proposals, letters of interest and reports, meeting prospects, and closing deals.

These placements are recommended for IIP candidates with interests in microfinance, non-profit administration, political science, social entrepreneurship, sustainable development, and the Middle East region. Arabic language skills are an asset. Ten placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.

Breakthough (BT)
Location: New Delhi, India
Breakthrough is a global, human rights organization that uses the power of media, pop culture, and community mobilization to inspire people to take action for dignity, equality, and justice. BT seeks to empower individuals and communities to stand for universal human rights by using multimedia tools that transform hearts and minds. Based in India and the United States, Breakthrough addresses critical global issues including violence against women, sexuality and HIV/AIDS, and immigrant rights and racial justice. See, for instance, Bell Bajao! (Ring the Bell!), Breakthrough’s newest campaign against domestic violence. IIP Intern responsibilities may include writing proposals and reports; conducting research on women’s issues and funding sources; using mobile technology for media work, video production and editing; writing blogs; social media marketing; developing a business plan; and monitoring and evaluating. Experience in video editing, software design, content development, or project management would be an asset. Two placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.

European Roma Rights Center (ERRC)
Location: Budapest, Hungary
The European Roma Rights Centre (ERRC) is an international public interest law organization working to combat anti-Romani racism and human rights abuse of Roma through strategic litigation, research and policy development, advocacy, and human rights education. Since its establishment in 1996, the ERRC has endeavored to provide Roma with the tools necessary to combat discrimination and achieve equal access to justice, education, housing, health care, and public services. The ERRC has consultative status with the Council of Europe, as well as with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. The ERRC offers IIP placements in its legal and programs departments. IIP interns are generally involved in a range of administrative and substantive activities. Depending on the organization’s needs and the IIP intern’s interests and abilities, he/she may help file materials and provide other administrative support, arrange events and research missions, monitor human rights developments through desk and/or field research, edit reports, translate texts, draft reports on human rights abuse or legal documents, conduct legal research and assist in preparing cases for litigation, engage in advocacy efforts, and support human rights training of activists. The organization will especially consider applications from students with one or more European languages who are interested in future human rights work. IIP candidates with interests in legal rights, social sciences, international relations, gender studies, political science, media, communication, and journalism are encouraged to apply.  IIP candidates are advised to learn about Roma rights, the EU, and current issues prior to the IIP internship in order to deepen their internship experience. Four placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns. View a Powerpoint presentation (.pdf) by a past intern at ERRC.

Fortaleza de la Mujer Maya (FOMMA) 
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico
FOMMA began as an organization centered on playwriting as the principal educational medium for women and children in indigenous communities. It is run entirely by Maya women and has experienced significant success in promoting literacy. Some of FOMMA's projects use the original plays, now translated into Spanish. The organization has also extended its educational activities into problems of health, domestic violence, bilingual education, childcare, etc. IIP interns have participated in FOMMA training workshops, stage design, and literacy projects since 2002. Good knowledge of Spanish is highly recommended. Two placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.

Gay Straight Alliance (GSA)
Location: Belgrade, Serbia
Based in Belgrade, GSA is a membership-based and volunteer LGBT organization involving both LGBT and heterosexual persons fighting for equal treatment of LGBT people. GSA uses a non-violent policy in promoting tolerance and actively opposing homophobia in Serbian society. GSA fights violence and discrimination against LGBT people through legal and political means. IIP interns might participate in various types of projects, including projects aimed at LGBT community strenghtening, monitoring violence and discrimination against LGBT population, or policy advocacy projects. Responsibilities might include office work, participating in creating workshops and educational programs, collecting information about violence and discrimination against LGBT population in Belgrade and in other Serbian cities, writing a comparative research paper on homophobia in Serbia and the U.S., possible research or cultural project with other GSA members and volunteers, participating in preparations for Belgrade Pride Parade 2012. IIP interns should have good writing and communication skills, enthusiasm and an interest in the role of policy advocacy and LGBT issues, and experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) or similar. A basic level of Serbian language skills would be an asset. One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern.

Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan
Location: Varanasi, India
Guria Swayam Sevi Sansthan is a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting human trafficking and forced prostitution. Guria works in the source areas to prevent trafficking and also operates in destination areas to prevent child prostitution, second generation prostitution and trafficking and re-trafficking. To achieve these goals Guria pursues a holistic, grassroots approach working directly with women and children affected to provide education, healthcare, rescue, legal intervention, advocacy, sensitization, livelihood support, and witness protection, etc. At Guria, IIP interns can choose from a variety of projects: teaching children in the non-formal education center, writing grant applications, working on legal cases against traffickers, updating the website and blog, and helping run rural empowerment projects. IIP candidates interested in human rights, Hindi/Urdu languages, women's rights, Hindu/Muslim relations, development and poverty alleviation, law, global health, and education are encouraged to apply. Three placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.

Human Rights Advocacy Centre
Location: Accra, Ghana
The Human Rights Advocacy Centre (HRAC) is a not-for-profit, independent, non-partisan, research and advocacy organization set up to advance and protect human rights in Ghana. IIP interns will be assigned to HRAC's Human Rights Clinic, which offers free legal assistance to the poor. The clinic uses negotiation, mediation, fact finding, legal representation, and referral to resolve the complaints it receives. IIP interns will receive complaints from clients, prepare legal opinion and monthly reports on the clinic, and will work on a family planning and reproductive health advocacy project. Specifically, they will organize stakeholder meetings for Members of Parliament and women's groups. The IIP interns will also write and publish feature articles in the newspaper and facilitate discussions. The HRAC is embarking on an awareness campaign to sensitize the Ghanian public on LGBT rights. As part of the project, the IIP interns will conduct research and collate all reports on LGBT in Ghana for publication and will develop policy briefs on LGBT issues. Two placements were created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns.

Mexican Institute of Family and Population Research (IMIFAP)
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
IMIFAP is an NGO founded by a small group of professors and students of the Faculty of Psychology of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in 1985 as a center for teaching, research, and consulting in the fields of public health, population, and individual and community welfare. Its work is carried out in the following program areas: HIV/AIDS and development; children, parents, and teachers; sexuality and reproductive health; gender, health, violence, and rights; and capacity building and microenterprise. Its programs contribute to sustainable human development and allow individuals to take control of their own health, productivity and lives. Specific work responsibilities and suggested skills include: (1) Evaluation: Applicants must have strong statistical analysis and writing skills to collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data; and (2) Resource Development: Applicants must have excellent writing and communication skills. A background in sociology, psychology, public health, development studies, reproductive health, community development, economics, or related disciplines would be an asset. Spanish language skills are required. One placement has been created for an International Internship Program (IIP) intern. This internship is offered in partnership with the Program in Global Health and Health Policy and can be used for completion of the GHP Summer Research Requirement (please check the appropriate box on your application).

Parinaam Foundation
Location: Bangalore, India
From the Parinaam perspective, making a difference in one person’s life is worth more than unsustainable mass scale interventions. Interns must have the heart and soul to work with the poor and accept the conditions of the slums in which Parinaam’s programs take place. Experience is not necessary. Several projects are available for IIP interns: 1. Diksha Financial Literacy program: an interactive five module program to teach mostly illiterate women basic numerical skills; debt management; how to budget their income/expense; cash flow and saving options; 2. Jalmitra Program: a livelihood development and safe water education initiative that trains community women on how to teach their fellow members about safe water and help them to buy safe water devices through a soft loan provided by the MFI; 3. Healthcare and Medical Interventions: A program that hopes to deliver hospital care to poor families and an add-on facility that will provide financial help for critical care. The program is currently under development; 4. Education: Tuition centers for desperately poor children; a scholarship fund and an educational grant that helps poor women who take education loans to pay the interest on the loans; an academic adoption program that looks for sponsors to enroll very poor children in quality schools through to the 12th grade; 5. The Urban Ultra Poor Program: It has four broad holistic initiatives to change the lives of destitute families: 1) livelihood development; 2) childcare and education; 3) healthcare; 4) financial literacy & social services. The ultimate goal is to ensure sustainable income for the family and to move them away from usurious debt by introducing them to microfinance. All the programs require considerable field work and interns should expect to spend at least 60% of their time in the field. Three placements have been created for the International Internship Program.

Seeds to Sew
Location: Enoosaen and Nyeri, Kenya
Seeds to Sew is a non-profit organization with the mission of improving the lives of women and girls in disadvantaged communities through education and job skills training. Their goal is for the women and girls in their program to use these job skills to make money and support themselves and their communities. Three placements have been created for International Internship Program (IIP) interns. IIP interns will work on one of the following two projects:

• Impact Analysis on the Individual and Communities of Skills Training and Income Development Programs: IIP candidates with interests in International Health and Human Services, Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology, Advocacy, and Human Rights issues are needed for summer internship to conduct surveys, assessments, and home visits to continue a longitudinal study on the impact of programs on Seeds to Sew participants, their family members, and their broader community. Basic knowledge of statistics, testing methodologies and analysis would be helpful, willingness to document results not only on paper, but also via photographs and video is a must. This IIP Intern will also help improve Seeds to Sew program operations.
• Socio-economic and Environmental Impact of Foreign Corporate Agriculture on Under-educated, Subsistence Farming Villages in Rural Kenya: This placement is for IIP candidates who are interested nresearch and reporting on both the societal, economic and/or environmental impacts resulting from a foreign-owned sugar-cane factory that began operation in a subsistence farming village in 2011. Taking advantage of an uneducated, impoverished community, the factory leased the land from the villagers at low rates. Given the slow turn-over of sugar cane as a crop, there is limited land to graze cows and grow other vegetables which are important to sustaining families and their livestock. Hence, women are having increasing difficulty in feeding their cows and feeding their families (as there are lower milk & crop yields). IIP candidates with backgrounds in water and soil science, environmental testing methodologies, public environmental policy, global economics, etc are encouraged to apply. The selected IIP candidate must be interested in writing up results for either press or research publication.

Žene Ženama
Location: Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Žene Ženama (Women to Women) contributes to the development of civil society through empowerment of women and women's groups. The organization advocates to improve the status of women's rights in both the private and public spheres. It aims to promote a peaceful dialogue using unique and creative models focused on education and other activities of women and women’s groups in the Bosnian and Herzegovinian context. The IIP intern will be working in the fields of women in security, justice and politics, gender based violence (GBV), female participation in decision-making and leadership, and the inclusion of the principle of equality in post-conflict and peacekeeping processes. The IIP intern will work on projects related to gender equality in the labor market and prevention of juvenile delinquency. The organization welcomes all kinds of backgrounds and experiences in different models of social development, and IIP interns with specific research interests can propose a project. One placement has been created for the International Internship Program.