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A Voice For the Voiceless

The Advocacy Project helps marginalized communities to tell their story, claim their rights and produce social change. We recruit graduate students to volunteer as Peace Fellows with partners.

The Impact of Service "Speaking with locals and living in a country is the best way to learn about the real lives of citizens, not just the stories in the mainstream media. I will be more critical of what I read as a result of this experience. I also feel even more grateful for my education, and I feel a stronger responsibility to assist others who do not have resources or access to opportunities in their communities." Maria Skouras (New York University) volunteered in 2011 as a Peace Fellow for eHomemakers in Malaysia. For more 2011 feedback click here.

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The Fellowship Pr... > 2012 Fellowships

2012 Fellowships

APPLY FOR A PEACE FELLOWSHIP WITH THE ADVOCACY PROJECT THIS SUMMER

The Advocacy Project (AP) is looking for graduate students to volunteer with AP’s community-based partners in the summer of 2012. This is the fellowship for those who relish a challenge and want to work on the front lines for human rights. Check below for current openings. AP has sent 210 Peace Fellows to work for human rights since 2003.

 
The work: All Fellows will help their hosts to produce information by profiling their work and stakeholders in a research paper, video, photos, newsletters, and a partner page on the AP website; disseminate information by training an “accidental techie” in IT skills and developing IT tools (websites, social networking); and build an international network of supporters (through blogs, and outreach activities on return). These services are described elsewhere in this site.

 
In addition, all Fellows will take on at least one major activity, with a clear goal and outcome, that supports their host’s advocacy. These are listed below. Finally, several Fellows will help their hosts produce an advocacy quilt.

All positions are fulltime, unpaid and will last for 10-12 weeks (June-August). All Fellows will be required to attend training in Washington DC.


Qualifications: There are no geographic or nationality restrictions. The program is geared towards graduate students currently in a Masters program, although exceptions may be made. Essential qualifications: experience of working abroad; IT skills and interest; a commitment to human rights and advocacy; and an ability to adapt in a challenging environment. A foreign language may be required.


How to apply: Send a resume and cover letter by email to Karin Orr, Program Manager (fellowships@advocacynet.org). List the fellowship # and position in the subject line of your email. You may apply for more than one position, but please indicate your order of preference.

 
Deadline for applications: March 30, 2012. Deadline has been extended, however we encourage you to turn your application materials in early.

 
For more information: Visit our website: http://www.advocacynet.org/page/2012fellowships. Read the FAQs; consult the blogs of past fellows and read their feedback; visit the partner pages of the organization that interests you. Call our office for more information (+1 202.758.3328) or email Karin Orr fellowships@advocacynet.org.

 
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OPENINGS (February 1, 2012)

	AFRICA: Fellowship #1. Promoting recycling and womens’ rights in Uganda: Help the Kinawataka Women Initiatives to raise awareness about recycling in Uganda by: a) Developing a business plan to reduce the use of plastic bags in supermarkets; and b) Increasing the production of straw bags by KWI. Business background and knowledge of women’s rights a plus. Read Scarlett’s blog for more information. Based in Kampala, Uganda
	Fellowship #2. Disability rights in Northern Uganda: Help the Gulu Disabled Persons Union to: a) demand access for people with disability, including more public toilets; b) Describe the GDPU’s work in a research paper; c) Work with AP partners in Vietnam and Bangladesh to explore south to south solutions for future challenges (eg climate change and disability). Knowledge of disability rights and sign language a plus. Read Rebecca’s blog for more information. Based in Gulu, Uganda
	Fellowship #3. Ending child sacrifice in Uganda: Help Gideon Foundation to: a) Build support for a new law banning sacrifice; b) Write a research paper on Gideon’s model; c) Write a proposal and seek funding for a radio program; d) Help families to produce an advocacy quilt. Legal and advocacy background a plus. Read Jamyel’s blog for more information. Based in Soroti, Eastern Uganda
	Fellowship #4. Support women’s weaving in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. Help a small women's cooperative in Amazigh Village to: a) Develop a business plan for their carpet-making business; b) Develop a website and online catalogue. New AP partner. Arabic required. Based in Amizagh, Morocco

	Fellowship #5. Promote human rights and reconciliation in Rwanda: Work with the Initiatives for Peace and Human Rights (IPHR) in Kigali. New AP partner. The work plan is under discussion. Based in Kigali, Rwanda
	ASIA: Fellowship #6. Ending bonded labor in Nepal (1): Help the Backward Society Education (BASE) to free Tharu children from bonded labor (kamlaharis) by: a) Developing a database to map where children are working; b) Work with freed children to produce one Love Blanket. Knowledge of children’s rights and human trafficking a plus. Read the blogs of Chantal and Maelanny. Based in Tulsipur, central Nepal
	Fellowship #7. Ending bonded labor in Nepal (2): Help the Backward Society Education (BASE) to free Tharu children from bonded labor (kamlaharis) by: a) Developing a program to hire, train and deploy lawyers to prosecute “Landlords” who employ kamlaharis; b) Work with freed children to produce a Love Blanket. Knowledge of child rights and the law a plus. Read the blogs of Chantal and Maelanny. Based in Tulsipur, central Nepal
	Fellowship #8. Curbing uterine prolapse in Nepal: Work with the Women’s Reproductive Rights Program to: a) Promote WRRP’s work internationally through one or more exhibitions of the Women’s Health Quilt; b) Develop a project to educate adolescents in reproductive health and rights; c) Lobby UNFPA and USAID to develop a program on UP in Nepal. Knowledge of women’s health and rights a plus. Read Chelsea’s blog for more information. Based in Kathmandu, Nepal

	Fellowship #9. Supporting tribal women in India (1): Work with VIKALP to: a) Develop a project and business plan to help women cotton growers sell their products directly at market; b) Work with the second Fellow to produce an advocacy quilt; c) Support and assist an outreach visit by VIKALP leaders to the US (Spring 2012).  Read the blogs of Samantha and Meredith for more information. Based in Baroda, Gujarat, India
	Fellowship #10. Supporting tribal women in India (2): Work with DVDs for Sale to: a) Expand and promote courts for tribal and rural women; b) Produce an advocacy quilt (working with the second Fellow); c) Support and assist an outreach visit by VIKALP leaders to the US (Spring 2012).  Read the blogs of Samantha and Meredith for more information. Based in Baroda, Gujarat, India
	Fellowship #11. Empowering the blind in Bangladesh: Help the Blind Education and Rehabilitation Organization (BERDO) to: a) a) Produce video profiles of BERDO stakeholders; b) Produce a research paper on BERDO’s microcredit model in Barisal; c) Develop a proposal for donors on microcredit and disability; d) Outline a plan for climate change and disability, working with AP’s Vietnamese partner (AEPD); e) Produce an advocacy quilt. Read Amanda’s blog for more information. Based in Dhaka and Barisal, Bangladesh
	Fellowship #12. Support the education of Bangladeshi river gypsies: Help the Subornogram Foundation by: a) Supporting six schools for underprivileged children of Dalit, cobblers, and fishermen; b) Assisting English Language instructors; c) Describing the work of Subornogram in videos, blogs and partner page; and d) Organizing workshops on public health and hygiene. New AP partner. For more information visit their website. Based in Narayanganj, Bangladesh

	Fellowship #13. Landmine survivors in Vietnam: Help the Association for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (AEPD) support survivors from the Indochinese wars by: a) Producing a film on AEPD’s work and stakeholders; b) Writing a research paper on the AEPD’s work on climate change and disability; c) Working with AEPD stakeholders to make an advocacy quilt. Read Ryan’s blog for more information. Knowledge of Vietnamese an advantage. Based in Dong Hoi City, Vietnam.
	Fellowship #14. Indigenous and environmental rights in Belize: Help the Sarstoon Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) to defend the rights of Mayan Indians and preserve the forest from encroachment from oil companies by: a) Profiling the forest’s natural resources in video and photos; b) Helping two communities to produce advocacy quilts and develop a handicrafts program; c) Revising the SATIIM website. Read Amy’s blog. Based in Toledo District, Belize
	Fellowship #15. Supporting family members of the disappeared in Peru to claim their rights. Help the Peruvian Forensic Anthropology Team (EPAF) to: a) Create a quilt in memory of the disappeared; b) Support EPAF’s program of exhumations; and c) Develop EPAF’s promotional work (photo exhibits, videos etc) Read Catherine’s blog. Spanish required, French also a plus. Based in Lima and Ayacucho, Peru

	EUROPE: Fellowship #16. Survivors of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre: Help the Bosnian family (Bosfam) manage a new women's center in Srebrenica, where returning women refugees will receive legal and other support. The Fellow will work side by side with the women to: a) Find a market for their hand-woven carpets in the US; b) Design 10-15 carpets; c) Produce and post weaver profiles on their website; d) Conduct a needs assessment on the women’s center. Read the blogs of Julia and Quinn for more information. Based in Srebrenica and Tuzla, Bosnia
	Fellowship #17. Roma rights in Eastern Europe: Help the Roma Community Center in Vilnius, Lithuania, to: a) Produce an advocacy quilt that will be displayed in festivals; b) Raise awareness about discrimination against the Roma, and c) Help to build a handicrafts program at the RCC. New AP partner. Based in Vilnius, Lithuania
	NORTH AMERICA: Fellowship #18. Political prisoners in Iran, of Azerbaijani ethnicity: Help the Association for the Defense of Azerbaijani Political Prisoners in Iran (ADAPP) to: a) Monitor detentions in Iran and; b) Create a database of supporters in the Azerbaijani diaspora in North America. Read Sarah’s blog for more information. Based in Vancouver, Canada
	MIDDLE EAST: Fellowship #19. Workers rights in Palestine: Help the General Federation of Independent Trade Unions Palestine to: a) Develop a website; b) Design a campaign; c) Produce a strong promotional video; d) Produce a new partner page on the AP website; e) Produce embroidered panels for an advocacy quilt. The Federation is affiliated with long-time AP partner, the Democracy and Workers Rights Center.  Read Willow's blog for more information. Arabic required. Based in Ramallah, Palestine

Fellowship #20. Supporting alternative media in Israel: Help the Alternative Information Center, a long-time AP partner, produce material for its news service and website. This fellowship will carry a monthly stipend of 300 Euros. Please submit a writing sample. Read Nikki's blog for more information. Based at the AIC offices in Jerusalem or Beit Sahour, Bethlehem.

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