Promoting human rights can take a variety of forms – human rights supporters change laws, do research, publish articles, and run for offices. More activism-driven human rights supporters tend to engage communities and mobilize them in the support for a human rights cause by starting petitions and taking action. If you are such a type of a human rights activist, you might want to make human rights campaigning your career. Joining one of these five top organizations which have jointly run thousands of successful human rights campaigns in every pocket of the world, the impact of your work and activism is bound to be maximized.

Amnesty International

Amnesty International is one of the major human rights organizations active in dozens of countries across the world. With over 7 million supporters and activists, Amnesty International is essentially a global movement against human rights abuses. At the same time, this organization is certainly one of the most vocal and efficient ones when it comes to promoting human rights values and ensuring they are respected.

At any given moment, Amnesty International staff are running several international campaigns. These can focus on an individual whose human rights might be threatened or on a more general cause such as property rights or workers’ rights in a particular country or region. Anyone can support these campaigns online by sharing on social media or donating.

Having global operations, Amnesty International is in constant need of qualified communications and campaign officers. Officers are based in one of Amnesty International offices around the world, across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe and they are a part of a strong network consisting of both international and local partners.

All available vacancies at Amnesty International are grouped in several different categories depending on the job type. An entire category is dedicated to Campaigns and Communications. In addition, human rights professionals interested in campaigning could also apply to Global Fundraising and Engagement positions. These two categories regularly advertise multiple vacancies such as assistants, volunteers as well as managers. Candidates are expected to be skilled at and passionate about online campaigning and connecting with communities.

To apply for a particular position, candidates will have to make an online profile and fill in their work and education history, as well as submit a cover letter and/or a publication.

Avaaz

A major catalyst for human rights changes around the world, Avaaz, needs skilled human rights campaigners more than any other organization. Avaaz is an online platform for petitions and campaigns that aims at concrete changes in laws, practices, and actions in the most different of communities worldwide. In the past decade, the Avaaz community has run successful campaigns in fields such as climate change, corruption, poverty, and conflict. The organization’s philosophy is that decision-making across the globe should be driven by people and local communities and that citizens must not stand still and watch policy-makers, politicians, corporations and other actors deteriorate their human rights.

On the online platform, people take action for the betterment of human rights every single second. So far, Avaaz campaigns have been supported by over 48 million people in 194 countries. These members have taken more than 383 million actions and run nearly 3,000 different and unique human rights campaigns. The organization’s human rights victories are many and have included passing anti-corruption legislation in Brazil, sending humanitarian relief to Burma and many others. Some of them have been supported by major influential people, such as foreign ministers, actors, and the head of the European Parliament. The campaigns are available in over 15 different languages, making human rights changes accessible to all.

To join the incredible Avaaz team, stay updated with the available vacancies in the field of Campaigning on the organization’s job portal. Avaaz is currently looking for several campaigners to work in languages such as English, Russian, French, or Greek, and always with a possibility to work remotely. The main requirement for any of these jobs is to be driven by human rights goals and ideas and motivated to help bring meaningful changes. All applications are submitted online via the platform.

Physicians for Human Rights

Through the means of scientific and medical research and investigations, Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) aim to stop mass human rights violations that occur in different places around the world. Throughout its history, this organization has worked on raising awareness of and investigation issues such as forced disappearance, torture, extrajudicial killings, and attack on hospitals.

Physicians for Human Rights document human rights abuses, publish reports and articles, forward victims’ testimonies to relevant national and international institutions, and submit evidence to courts and tribunals in order to bring about significant human rights victories. One of the strategies this organization uses is calling for action. PHP partners with a number of local and international organizations to promote human rights. In the attempt to do so, they draft new legislation, call for interventions, prosecute individuals, and host hearings on major human rights issues. At the moment, PHP run campaigns to start investigations in Myanmar regarding the treatment of the Rohingya, and to sign the health professionals’ pledge against torture.

Consequently, besides medical professionals, PHP also employ professionals working in the sphere of media, advocacy, and campaigning. To be eligible for any of these positions, candidates should typically be knowledgeable about human rights systems and international human rights law and have great cultural sensitivity. It is also desirable that candidates have previous professional experience in the field of advocacy and well-developed campaign tactics. Applications are made via email and all candidates are asked to forward their resume together with a cover letter. PHP offices are based in the United States, in New York City, Boston, and Washington, D.C. To stay updated with current vacancies, click here.

Human Rights Campaign

Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is the largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) civil rights organization in the United States, with more than 3 million supporters and members. Founded as a gay and lesbian political action committee to support pro-LGBTQ rights political candidates, the HRC now runs multiple human rights campaigns which have to with racism, discrimination, and voting rights.

This organizations has significant presence and visibility in all 50 states and it has successfully been running an Equality Voter Action Center, urging people to vote for politicians who support equality, and fights against discrimination. This platform consists of several action-driven components, such as the Equality Corps which recruits HRC volunteers and the Equality Action Academy where human rights activists are trained to sharpen their advocacy skills.

In the U.S., Human Rights Campaign has been voted as one of the best non-profits to work for. The organization’s employment strategy is based on equality, allowing everyone’s voice to be heard, and choosing passionate and knowledgeable candidates. On the organization’s job portal, interested candidates can frequently find vacancies that relate to communications and media. In particular, HRC regularly employs several field organizers whose tasks are to mobilize activists and support them in engaging in election work, as well as organizing and participating in campaign events. To apply, candidates typically need to have strong recruitment and organizing skills and to have previously been a part of a campaign. Furthermore, HRC employees need to have a passion for connecting with both local supporters and the more general LGBTQ movement. Such jobs are available throughout the U.S to all candidates regardless of whether they are LGBTQ or not. All applications are submitted online.

Human Rights Watch

Very few human rights organizations have the reputation and impact like Human Rights Watch (HRW) does. For decades, Human Rights Watch supporters and staff have been defending fundamental human rights and freedoms all over the world. One of the main mandates of the organization is to investigate human rights abuses, which is why it employs hundreds of academics, researchers, journalists, and lawyers. Nevertheless, HRW is also an organization that is vocal among local populations, one that mobilizes people, helps organize movements, and pressures decision-makers to secure a more human rights-respecting environment for all.

At the moment, HRW runs several human rights campaigns aimed at stopping current discriminatory practices, preventing discriminatory laws from being passed, or showing solidarity with grassroots movements. The organization’s online platform allows all interested people to take action and support one of the campaigns by sharing with their friends, donating, or writing to important decision-makers.

Human Rights Watch regularly advertises both early career and managerial vacancies on its job board. To assist with the campaigns, HRW is frequently looking for development and outreach assistants, interns, and officers, as well as communication and advocacy officers. Employees working in these sectors participate in organizing outreach and cultivation events, monitoring media coverage, or writing press releases. To apply for any position, interested candidates need to create a profile on the online job portal, update it with their qualifications, and attach a cover letter and resume.  Depending on the job description, both local and international professionals can apply.

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Whether you are studying human rights or are building a career in the field, you will inevitably have to be skilled at writing about and for human rights. Human rights-related writing can take a variety of forms – university students embrace more academic articles while advocacy officers might spend more time with writing online campaigns or writing human rights reports. In other situations you might want to write a human rights essay. Essays need to be concise, convincing, well-researched and built on strong arguments. If you can successfully produce a human rights essay, you will be able to make a research article, a call for action, or a campaign out of it.

Learn how to write an essay in a free university course! Click here!

To excel at writing human rights essays, follow these 10 tips:

1. Choose a topic you are passionate about

First and foremost, you need to find a topic you are truly passionate about. Human rights are such a broad field of study and can be linked to nearly any other subject – from history and anthropology to technology and medicine. The best way to ensure that your human rights essay will be readable and convincing is to discuss something you have knowledge of or find it easy to learn about. For example, if you are into criminology, you might want to look into the intersections and relationships between human rights and criminal justice. At the very start of the writing process, you should note down what the broad, general topic you are interested in is.

2. Do research and narrow down your topic

Once you have established the general human rights-related topic you are looking into, you will have to narrow it down in order to write an essay. Choosing to write only about human rights and criminal justice, for instance, will not result in a successful essay because both concepts are so broad. For this reason, you will have to narrow down the scope of your essay. If you are clueless about what you want to discuss more specifically, doing a general Internet search can lead you to some hints. After you have done a preliminary research on the Internet, you should be able to identify a topic that will be the central theme of your essay. By way of example, if you are looking into criminal justice, you might want to discuss the rights of defendants, the rights of victims, or prison conditions.

3. Ask concrete questions you can answer

Now that you have chosen your topic, you will need to start reading a bit more extensively about it unless you already have sufficient knowledge of the literature to start writing immediately. Reading journal articles, reports and book chapters is an essential step to get you thinking because a successful human rights essay should answer concrete questions. In other words, discussing the current literature on the topic is not sufficient to make an excellent essay. What you will need to do is find gaps in these sources, questions that are not fully answered, or under-researched issues and make your own contribution to the field by writing about them in more length. In preparation for writing, note down several questions that you find particularly relevant and important and start building your essay around them.

4. Provide your audience with a brief introduction to the topic

It is entirely up to the author to decide which parts of the essay will be written first. Some writers find it easier to build a central argument and then add an introduction to it, while others like to begin with the paragraphs that lead the reader to the main issue. Whichever order you decide to follow, it is important to skillfully craft an introduction to your topic. Allowing the reader to have a sense of the context in which the issue is placed is essential for them to fully follow your train of thought at a later stage of the essay. Ideally, in the introduction, you should give some historical background to the topic, reference what has been written before in a few sentences, explain some of the major debates on the topic, and guide your reader through the outline of the essay. In any case, your introduction should not be long as you want to leave more space for your arguments.

5. Create sub-headings for the body of your essay

Regardless of the length of your essay, you should divide the body of your essay into paragraphs and/or brief chapters. Each paragraph or chapter should have an overarching theme, something that unites your sentences. It could be a whole argument, a certain issue, or a group of examples aimed at buttressing your argument. If the format of the essay allows you to do so, add sub-headings to each of the chapters based on the issue they are discussing or the point you are trying to make. All of these together will make your essay much more readable and easier to follow for the readers. Furthermore, it will allow you to keep track of your ideas and ensure that you are not spilling the same argument repeatedly in different parts of the essay but that your thoughts are organized and clear.

6. Make the strongest argument your central point

In a human rights essay, you can present several different arguments; nevertheless, it is important to ensure that at least one of them is a truly strong, unique argument that readers have not heard before. If you provide your audience with multiple weak arguments that sound repetitive, there is a risk that the readers will abandon the essay before finishing or will simply not be convinced by the message you want to convene. Consequently, while writing, you need to identify your strongest argument and make it your central point in the essay. Comments, weaker arguments, and examples that will support the argument should all be placed around it. Your main argument should be in a form of a statement that you can paraphrase and repeat a few times towards the end of the essay. Yet, you should also be able to answer questions such as “Why is that?”, “How can you prove it?”, “Is there anyone who disagrees and why are they wrong?” to add to the strength of your argument. At the end of such a writing process, you can also incorporate references to your central argument into the title of your essay so the readers know what to expect from the very beginning.

7. Support your arguments with references

Although human rights essays allow writers to have their own voices heard more than academic articles, they should still aspire to adopt academic style referencing at least to some degree. Needless to say, your essay should be one-of-a-kind; however, that does not mean that your arguments should be entirely invented or have nothing to do what is actually being discussed by other authors. On the contrary, you make your argument more credible if you can provide a link to where you found certain information, particularly when it comes to answering questions such as where, when, or who. Moreover, it is wise to cite other authors who support some of your claims as that proves that your essay is well-researched. You may also decide to refer to articles and books where opposing arguments are presented and then try to refute them in your essay. Essentially, a human rights essay should not be filled with in-text citations and footnotes like an academic paper, but it certainly necessary to provide references to the other people’s work that helped you write it.

8. Write a general, but convincing conclusion

Having written an introduction and several short-chapters with a clear central argument as well as supporting arguments, all you need to do is come up with a brief conclusion. Writers have different styles of writing conclusions – you can phrase it in a form of a short overview of what was written or add the final comment on the topic. What is important is that your conclusion does not introduce any new ideas and arguments you cannot finish due to its length but that it more generally wraps up your entire essay. It would be wise to find a skillful way to reiterate one or more of your main points without sounding too repetitive. Conclusions also provide a perfect space to make a strong finish, show your writing skills and sound confident and convincing.

And a few extra tips:

9. Place your argument within a legal framework

Fulfilling the eight steps listed above is essential to write a human rights essay that is publishable, readable, and can help you get a good mark at school. To ensure that your human rights essay is truly excellent, it is also useful to look into the law. Human rights do not necessarily have to be discussed through a legal sciences lens, but they are inevitably protected and promoted through domestic, regional, and international laws. Therefore, by placing your topic within a legal framework, you truly show that you master several disciplines and that your arguments are based on practice as well as on theory. To do that, find an appropriate framework that fits your context – it could be a combination of domestic and international legal documents, their applications and differences, or only one particular law, depending on what you are writing about. In accordance with your legal knowledge, you might want to discuss the applicable legal frameworks in more detail, or simply use them as a reference to buttress your arguments.

10. Use specific examples

What can truly help your case in a human rights essay is finding a concrete example to demonstrate how theory does or does not work in practice. By doing so, you build a strong support for your argument and you also allow your readers to relate to what you are saying on a more emotional level, helping them visualize a certain human rights issue. For example, if you are making a recommendation on how to improve prison conditions in a particular country to better respect the rights of prisoners, it could be good to find a country or a community where some of the aspects you are suggesting have been implemented in prisons and this has fostered a more human rights-respecting environment. To find such an example, turn into the grassroots, do a research on local initiatives or contact non-governmental organizations working in places you are writing about.

We hope these tips will guide you to create an excellent human rights essay. To see how it all works in practice for some of the most prominent human rights authors, take a look at these inspiring human rights essays.

Learn how to write an essay in a free university course! Click here!

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Obtaining a Master’s degree in Human Rights or a related subject is frequently a necessary qualification for many amazing human rights and humanitarian jobs. In most cases, such programs are expensive and can even have different rates for those who come from abroad. For this reason, interested candidates can feel discouraged to pursue their dreams study.

Still, there are ways to get a high-quality Human Rights degree without any costs. With these five fully-funded programs in Europe and Australia, studying Human Rights and Human Rights Law at a Masters-level is accessible to all.

Human Rights MA and LLM (Central European University, Hungary)

Central European University (CEU) is the pearl of education in Central Europe. Located in the beautiful Budapest, this university offers an array of Master’s and Ph.D. courses. Students from all over the globe study Human Rights at Legal Studies Department at CEU through two courses – a Master’s of Arts degree for those candidates without an undergraduate degree in Law, and an LLM degree for those with a legal background.

MA and LLM students essentially study together with very few different lectures. This means that students who have never studied law have an incredible opportunity to master human rights law and international law as well as human rights advocacy and research, while law students have the opportunity to approach human rights from a multidisciplinary perspective. The programs run for 10 months after which candidates have some extra time to write a Master’s thesis on a relevant, under-researched topic. Students also have an opportunity to complete an internship at one of the national and international human rights organizations in Budapest, such as Terre des hommes.

Perhaps the best thing about CEU is how much funding it offers to its students. Prospective candidates from any country in the world who hold an acceptance letter for Human Rights MA or LLM programs are eligible for financial aid, provided that they have submitted a separate financial aid application. Financial aid packages vary – some, such as CEU Master’s Tuition Award, cover tuition costs (amounting to 13,000 EUR per year) only, while CEU Master’s Scholarship also includes a stipend for living costs, accommodation in CEU Residence Center, and health insurance. Admitted students also qualify for a range of other scholarships and awards, such as the one given by CEU alumni. All scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit without any distinction between different countries of origin.

Other relevant information about how to fund your Human Rights studies at Central European University is available on the website.

European Regional Master’s in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe (University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina and University of Bologna, Italy)

ERMA, the European Regional Master’s Program in Democracy and Human Rights in South East Europe is a part of the Global Campus of Human Rights co-financed by the European Union and managed by the European University Centre for Human Rights and Democratization. It is a year-long, interdisciplinary program after which successful candidates receive diplomas from both University of Sarajevo and University of Bologna.

The program has a mission to combine practical knowledge and field research experience on a variety of human rights issues. Consequently, in addition to completing courses on human rights law, refugee law, transitional justice and other topics, students also do mandatory internships in another country in Southeastern Europe, such as Croatia or Serbia.

In addition to having a unique structure, ERMA studies are also affordable and frequently fully covered by a generous scholarship. Each year, 36 students are admitted to the program. The majority (25) come from Southeast European countries; however, 5 places are reserved for candidates coming from the European Union countries, Russia, Georgia, and Azerbaijan. All admitted students from these countries receive study grants to cover their costs of living (4,500 euros) until July, costs of living for the period they will spend in Italy, and health insurance. Additionally, another 6 places are for citizens of all other countries who have to pay tuition costs amounting to 2,000 euros.

More information about applying for ERMA is available on the official website.

Erasmus Mundus Human Rights Policy and Practice (The UK, Sweden and Spain)

Three European universities have come together to create a unique Master’s program on Human Rights Policy and Practice. The Erasmus Mundus program, run by the University of Roehampton in the UK, the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, and the University of Deusto in Spain, provides a two-year study to candidates who aspire to work in civil society as well as for governments and businesses. Successful candidates receive certificates from all three universities upon completion.

In addition, three partner universities from outside Europe – the University of Balamand in Lebanon, the University of Calcutta in India, and the University of Botswana in Botswana – allow students to get hands-on experience related to the rights of indigenous people and globalization.

During the course, students participate in several modules, learning about politics, ethics and law, ethno-cultural diversity, social structures, as well as gaining more practical knowledge about how to lead and manage in the human rights sphere. Additionally, all Master’s students are required to write a dissertation and take a course on research methods prior to it.

To be a fully-funded student of this joint Human Rights program, candidates will have to apply for a scholarship via the program’s website. In addition to a relevant undergraduate degree and a proof of an appropriate English language level, candidates should demonstrate some human rights-related work experience. The universities are interested in admitting professionals who can show how their interests and ambitions are put into action, so every volunteering engagement and internship counts.

Students from all over the world are encouraged to apply, however, to promote geographical diversity, the European Union allows for up to two applicants per country to be admitted. Those residing in one of the 28 European Union member states, Norway, Iceland, Turkey, Liechtenstein, or the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia qualify for Erasmus+ Program country scholarships, while all others should apply for Erasmus+ Partner country scholarships.

Master’s in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law (Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights)

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights is a leading academic institution which has trained a great number of world-renowned academics and practitioners in the field of human rights.

Qualified international students come to Geneva to complete either the LLM program in International Humanitarian Law and Humanitarian Law or Master of Advances Studies program in Transitional Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law. Both programs combine high-level theoretical education with fieldwork and practice. As a part of their programs, many students do internships for one of the institutions present in Geneva, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and UNICEF. The Geneva Academy has been labeled as having one of the best human rights programs in the world and has served as a gateway to successful and impactful international careers for many.

The Geneva Academy programs are not only famous for their excellence, but also for their funding opportunities. To selected candidates admitted to attend one of these two programs, the Geneva Academy offers partial and full scholarships. While partial scholarships cover only tuition fees (amounting to 18,000 Swiss francs), full scholarships provide students with a tuition waiver and a generous stipend for living expenses. Both programs last for one year.

These limited scholarships are extremely competitive and are awarded both on the basis of merit and the student’s financial need. As a rule, candidates coming from the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Western Europe qualify for partial scholarships only.

More information about these scholarships is available here.

Master of Human Rights Law University of Melbourne, Australia

The University of Melbourne’s Human Rights Law program trains students with both legal and non-legal backgrounds. The program targets future human rights lawyers as well as professionals working in development agencies and human rights organizations. Over the course of nearly one year, students take eight subjects, including International Human Rights Law, which is a core course, and a variety of electives such as Women, Peace and Security and International Refugee Law. Those with a non-legal background will have a chance to attend a course of the Fundamentals of the Common Law at the beginning of their studies. In that way, students gain an advanced knowledge of both international and domestic human rights frameworks. There is also an opportunity to undertake an international legal internship during the study.

There are several ways to fund your human rights study at the University of Melbourne. International students are eligible for the Melbourne Graduate Scholarship which can offer up to 100% tuition waivers. That way, the scholarship fully covers the tuition fees determined for this program, which amount to $41,024. Furthermore, for citizens of selected countries outside Europe and North America, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade administers Australia Awards Scholarships. These scholarships not only fully covers students’ tuition fees, but they also include a stipend for living expenses, health insurance cover, and establishment and travel allowances. In addition, the Endeavour Leadership Program, run by the Australian government, offers successful international candidates funding to cover their tuition fees, travel allowances, establishment allowances, health insurance, and living costs.

Finally, the University of Melbourne also gives Human Rights Scholarship to students who are undertaking graduate research on a human rights topic. The total value of the scholarship can be up to $94,200 and is designed to offer a living allowance, relocation grant, and a student health insurance cover to all successful candidates. This scholarship can be combined with another award listed above.

More information about entry requirements and course subjects is available here.

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Landing a human rights job in an international non-governmental organization (NGO) is not easy. For many, the career path involves years of working for a local NGO before applying for a senior position with a global impact.

Nevertheless, many international human rights organizations offer amazing entry level jobs on a regular basis. This means that these large organizations, too, look forward to hiring early career human rights professionals so that they can use their knowledge, skills, and ambition to make significant changes in our societies.

Here are 10 international human rights organization that regularly look for early career professionals.

International Rescue Committee (IRC)

International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international NGO which respond to some of the gravest human rights crisis in the world, helping countries and societies stabilize, rebuilding communities, and resettling refugees. It offers a range of human rights and humanitarian entry level jobs in more than 40 countries around the world. For example, working as an Officer for IRC usually requires prospective candidates to have only two or more years of relevant work experience.

In addition to these positions, it is also possible to join IRC as an intern or a fellow, both in the U.S. and internationally. Some of these vacancies are advertised on the official job board, while others are reserved for specific institutions such as Princeton and Harvard.

Front Line Defenders

Front Line Defenders is a human rights organization originally established in Dublin, Ireland, with the goal of protecting human rights advocates. Over the years, the organization has opened offices in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Americas, in addition to the EU office in Brussels.

The organization regularly advertises entry level positions as well as fellowships for new human rights professionals on its website. Paid fellowships, which last up to a year, are envisaged as training programs for early career professionals who can have little or no experience working for human rights organizations. Other full-time positions, such as Project Coordinator for instance, typically require a minimum of three years of relevant work experience.

Save the Children

Save the Children is a leading international organization when it comes to child protection and children’s rights, working in dozens of countries across the globe. The organization’s online portals list a variety of job opportunities, including internships and entry level vacancies. Candidates can search for the most suitable positions through Save the Children’s US and international websites.

Positions such as Project Assistant or Human Rights Assistant require merely two years of work experience. Save the Children employs both national and international staff in countries where the organization has a presence. Typically, there are several entry level positions advertised at any given moment.

Occasionally, Save the Children also advertises paid internships, which typically last for 12 months. To be eligible, candidates should possess a relevant Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree, in which case no professional experience is necessary.

Oxfam

One of the organizations leading the movement for worldwide change is Oxfam. This international organization cooperates with thousands of partner organizations to fight world poverty and injustice. Candidates can apply for a job within the International Secretariat, which could place them in Oxford, the US, Brussels, and several other locations. The online job board allows the candidates to choose an appropriate job level and type, such as internships or entry level; however, such vacancies are limited.

On the other hand, candidates are encouraged to search for human rights jobs with Oxfam affiliates – that is, regional and national Oxfam offices – which offer many more entry level positions. For instance, Oxfam affiliates regularly look for new human rights professionals to fill in positions such as Project Assistant, which can require as little as one year of relevant work experience, in a variety of crisis areas in the world.

Human Rights Watch

Another organization known for its inspiring human rights-related work, Human Rights Watch, employs thousands of people in its global offices. The organization broadly defines its vacancies as Professional/Managerial, Early Career, Fellowship, and Internship/Volunteering. That said, on the online job board, early career human rights professionals can easily single out available vacancies suitable for their professional experience. Typically, Human Rights Watch offers several entry level vacancies on a regular basis. For example, the requirements for Associate positions, which employ local or national staff, require a relevant bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one or two years of professional experience.

Each year, Human Rights Watch also offers a number of fellowship programs which aim to train new human rights professionals and provide them with valuable hands-on experience.

Human Rights First

Human Rights First is a US-founded advocacy and action organization dedicated to inspiring meaningful changes for the betterment of human rights. Renowned for its work with refugees and migrants, this non-governmental organization regularly recruits interns and early career professionals to work on Refugee Protection, Refugee Representation, Communications, and other areas. Legal Fellows, required to have some related professional experience, are frequently needed to assist Human Rights First across the United States. These and other exciting positions are posted on the organization’s website.

Amnesty International

Amnesty International has one of the most global and vocal presences of all international human rights organizations, monitoring human rights records and causing effective advances in the sphere of human rights in dozens of countries. This organizations regularly employs human rights professionals to work in one of its multiple international offices. Vacancies are typically categorized as Global Fundraising and Engagement, Global Operations, International Law and Policy, People and Services, and Research. That said, early career human rights professionals can join as Campaigners, Researchers, Communication officers, or Coordinators with as little as a couple of years of related experience. Amnesty International is known for not enlisting a specific number of years of work experience necessary for a particular position, but it is more interested in finding a candidate with the right set of skills to conduct most efficient human rights work. On the job board, human rights practitioners can regularly find a number of entry level positions.

Freedom House

One of the world’s most famous organizations supporting democratic values and change, Freedom House recruits human rights professionals both domestically, in its New York or Washington, DC offices, and internationally, in places such as Ukraine and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Interested candidates can support the work of the organization in various ways, joining as Assistants, Monitoring and Evaluations Specialists, Proposal Coordinators, or Program Associates. Entry level positions such as Project Assistant, for example, require the employee to have a Bachelor’s degree and desirable two years of relevant work experience. Sometimes, Freedom House advertises jobs for which even less work experience is necessary, such as for instance Proposal Coordinator position, for which a minimum of six months of related work experience would be sufficient. Domestic and international early career opportunities are advertised on Freedom House’s job board.

The Association of Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)

AWID is a prominent international women’s rights organization which has worked tirelessly towards achieving gender equality and sustainable development for decades. The organization conducts meaningful human rights work both in North America, in the U.S. and Canada, and internationally. Prospective candidates can apply for different positions which involve working on the field, doing monitoring and evaluation, campaigning, or legal work. While some more advanced positions require a substantial amount of related work experience, AWID also regularly looks for Coordinators and Officers who have some prior work experience in the field and a working understanding of the area they will be working in, which opens doors for many early career professionals. AWID also offers paid internships for candidates who have a minimum of one year professional experience.

These jobs, advertised on AWID’s website, are often a part of joint projects with organizations such as IRC.

Open Society Foundations

For decades, the Open Society Foundations (OSF) have started and supported hundreds of initiatives to create more tolerant societies and accountable, democratic government around the world. Working on nearly all imaginable human rights issues – from minority rights to public health and justice – the OSF has built a strong presence in nearly every region in the world. Known as one of the most giving foundations, the OSF regularly employs early career professionals as Legal Assistants, Communication Officers, Project Assistants and others who can join the foundations after only a couple of years of relevant work experience. In addition to jobs, the OSF also supports early career professionals who share its values through fellowships. Fellowships can include working on an own project or a paid placement in one of the international offices.

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Major international organizations (IOs) working in the field of human rights employ people from all over the world with different levels of experience and education. To ease the process of hiring new staff members, IOs operate within job levels systems which delineate the minimum amount work experience and other relevant qualifications needed for a particular position. Being familiar with these levels will help you as identify vacancies that are the right fit for you and consequently increase your chances for success.

Here is a brief guide to job levels at four major human rights IOs.

United Nations Job Levels

The UN employs a great number of people, not all of whom are human rights professionals. That said, candidates with a variety of skills and degrees can find a way to contribute to the UN goals. Knowing the job levels in the UN will help you decide which category you belong in and what sort of positions you should be seeking to land your perfect UN job.

The UN differentiates among the following staff categories:

• Professional and higher categories – marked with P or D

Professional staff members are recruited internationally. Typically, candidates are expected to have at least an undergraduate degree, combined with work experience. Some positions, however, require an advanced university degree which cannot be replaced by extensive professional experience.

Depending on the work experience needed, professional job vacancies are categorized in seven different job levels:

P-1 No work experience required. These positions are rarely advertised and are normally reserved for candidates who passed the UN Young Professionals Program.

P-2 Minimum 2 years of work experience.

P-3 Minimum 5 years of work experience.

P-4 Minimum 7 years of work experience.

P-5 Minimum 10 years of work experience.

P-6/D-1 Minimum 15 years of work experience.

P-7/D-2 More than 15 years of work experience.

Please note that D-1 and D-2 levels are the highest possible levels in the job level structure at the UN. They are designed to recruit Directors in charge of managing a particular program within the organization.

• General Service – marked with G, TC, S, PIA, LT

The UN also advertises job posts that fall under the broad umbrella of General Service (G) in eight different job networks, including peace and security and legal matters. These vacancies call for administrative, clerical, and technical support to the UN.

Furthermore, building management and printing staff positions are characterized as Trades and Crafts (TC), Public Information Assistants with (PIA), Language Teachers with (LT), and Security with (S).

Candidates typically need to pass the General Service Test to qualify for one of these positions. There is a separate test for Security Officers.

• National Professional Officers – marked with NO

National Professional Officers are recruited locally. The requirements are the same as for internationally-recruited professionals, meaning that all candidates must have completed at least an undergraduate university degree.

National Professional Officers are hired at five different levels:

NO-1 Minimum 1 to 2 years of work experience.

NO-2 Minimum 2 to 3 years of work experience.

NO-3 Minimum 5 years of work experience.

NO-4 Minimum 7 years of work experience.

NO-5 Over 7 years of work experience.

• Field Service (FS)

Field Service staff are usually recruited internationally. The entry requirements are not so strict when it comes to the educational background (High School diploma may suffice); however, extensive field experience and mobility are needed for these positions.

Field Service jobs are advertised at four different levels:

FS-4 Minimum 6 years of work experience.

FS-5 Minimum 8 years of work experience.

FS-6 Minimum 10 years of work experience (decreased to 5 years for candidates with an undergraduate degree).

FS-7 Minimum 12 years of work experience (decreased to 7 years for candidates with an undergraduate degree).

• Senior Appointments (SG, DSG, USG or ASG)

Senior appointments are the highest positions in the UN Secretariat. They are not typically advertised, but qualified candidates are appointed.

Secretary-General (SG) is appointed by the General Assembly, upon the Security Council’s recommendation.

Deputy Secretary-General (DSG) is appointed by the SG in consultation with Member States.

Under-Secretary-General (USG) is appointed by the SG. These positions are designated for Heads of Departments.

Assistant Secretary-General (ASG) is also appointed by the SG. These positions are designated for Heads of Offices.

Job openings at the United Nations are advertised on the Careers webpage.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Although it is not a part of the United Nations system, IOM follows the same job level system. That said, IOM’s compensation system, too, is in accordance with the International Civil Servant Commission’s guidance.

IOM job levels are somewhat more simple than those in the UN, as their vacancies fall under one of the two categories –  Professional or General.

• Professional (P, D)

Staff members who are recruited in this category normally have international expertise in an area relevant to IOM’s work. Positions are offered at levels P-1 (no work experience needed) to P-5 (minimum of 10 years of work experience necessary). In addition, IOM also has available vacancies for Directors at D-1 level (minimum 15 years of work experience needed).

• General Service (G)

Candidates who have the necessary skills and expertise to provide the organization with administrative, financial, or technical support are recruited under the General Service category. IOM advertises General Service positions at the following levels:

G1 No work experience is necessary

G2 Minimum 2 years of work experience is needed.

G3 Minimum 3 years of work experience is needed.

G4 Minimum 4 years of work experience is needed.

G5 Minimum 5 years of work experience is needed.

G6 Minimum 6 years of work experience is needed.

G7 Minimum 7 years of work experience is needed.

An important difference between IOM and UN job levels is that IOM offers only two types of contracts:

• Fixed-term contracts that last for one year and
• Special, short-term contracts that last from 3 to 9 months.

This organization also tries to maintain a geographical balance among its employees, so their positions are not necessarily limited to IOM member states’ nationals.

Candidates coming from certain member states are eligible to apply for the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) program. This is an early-career placement in either the IOM Headquarters in Geneva or one of the country offices. JPO vacancies are advertised at P-2 level.

Available vacancies at IOM can be found on the organization’s Recruitment webpage.

International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)

One of the major international organizations which do human rights-related work, the ICRC, hires both locally and internationally.

Among the myriad of internationally-contracted positions sought by the organization, the main difference is made between Field Staff and Headquarters Staff.

Field positions are “mobile,” meaning that as a field staff worker, you can be sent on any ICRC mission in the world where there is a need for your expertise. Field positions are roughly grouped in twelve thematic categories:

• Armed forces, Police and Weapon contamination
• Communication
• Cooperation with the Movement
• Economic and Food Security
• Field, Protection and Detention
• Forensic science
• Health care
• Human Resources, Finance and Administration
• Information and Communication Technology
• Languages and interpreting
• Logistics
• Water and Habitat

Several professional positions are advertised under each of these categories, depending on the needs on the field.

On the other hand, there is a handful of jobs as well as traineeships which include working from the headquarters in Geneva. Traineeships do not involve fieldwork.

Locally-hired professionals are considered to be “resident” staff. These job opportunities are advertised on specific country pages and such job descriptions do not include missions abroad. It can, however, happen that locally-hired professionals working for one of the National Red Cross Societies can be seconded to the ICRC as “staff on loan” for a mission abroad.

Percentage-wise, most professionals working for the ICRC are considered resident field staff, while headquarters jobs are least frequently available to prospective professionals.

The ICRC does not offer volunteering or unpaid internship positions.

Internationally-contracted ICRC job posts are advertised on the job portal. Resident positions available in 80 countries around the world can be found here.

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE)

OSCE is one of the most prominent international organizations mandated to promote human rights, rule of law, and democracy in Europe and beyond. As such, this organization employs a great number of professionals at several levels.

OSCE advertises vacancies that fall under one of the following categories:

1. Contracted positions

Contracted positions are fixed-term and they include working at the Secretariat, Institutions, and occasionally field operations. Here, the OSCE also follows the United Nations Common System, offering positions in the categories of:

• General Service (GS)
• Junior Professionals:
  • P-1 No experience needed.
  • P-2 Two years of work experience needed.
• Middle-ranking Professionals
  • P-3 Five years of work experience.
  • P-4 Seven years of work experience.
• Management Professionals
  • P-5 Ten years of work experience.
  • D Fifteen years of work experience.

2. Seconded positions

These positions involve working in one of OSCE’s field operations. Staff members are typically nominated by an OSCE member state. Such job vacancies are available in a number of fields of expertise, including Human Rights, Rule of Law, and Political Affairs.

3. Junior Professional Officer Program

Junior Professional Officer Program is designed to offer young graduates an opportunity to gain experience in the both the Secretariat and field missions. The total length of the program is one year, with equal periods of time being spent in the institution and on the field.

4. Internships

Internship opportunities are available in the Secretariat in Vienna and Institutions as well as in OSCE missions in Europe and Central Asia. OSCE Internships are unpaid and last between two and six months.

5. Consultants

OSCE occasionally recruits experienced professionals for short-term consulting and advisory services.

6. Experts/Young Diplomats Program

Nationals of the OSCE Asian and Mediterranean Partner States are eligible to apply for the Young Diplomats Program. Placements are four-months long.

All vacancies are advertised on the OSCE Employment page.

The post Job Levels at International Human Rights Organizations (UN, OSCE, IOM, ICRC) appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

In recent years, the United Nations has been greatly criticized for its unfair internship policy based on which this prestigious institution continues to employ thousands of unpaid interns in its multiple agencies. Prospective interns are required to fulfill a demanding set of criteria and work full-time for six months without even having their basic costs covered by the UN. This has led students and early-career professionals who cannot afford to work for free to seek work experience in other organizations.

Nevertheless, not many internship-seekers know that there are several UN agencies which decided to award compensations to all of their interns, contributing towards their living costs. Most recently, UNICEF announced that it has changed its internship policy independently from the rest of the UN to introduce paid internships.

Here are the top 5 paid internships at the UN.

1. UNICEF Internships

Location: worldwide.
Compensation: varies.
Duration: 6-26 weeks with the possibility of extension.
Application deadline: depending on the vacancy.

UNICEF is one of the few UN agencies to change its internship policy from unpaid to paid internships. Interested students and graduates can apply for a variety of intern positions in multiple areas within the mandate of UNICEF, including Operations, Program and Policy, and External Relations. Different UNICEF offices around the world offer internships based on their need and capacity, so it is difficult to predict what kind of internships will be available in near future.

Interns’ duties and responsibilities will depend on the office they will be assigned to; however, interns can expect to take part in research projects, databases management or communications.

To apply for an internship with UNICEF, you must complete an online application and submit it through UNICEF e-recruitment system. Once you are registered in the system, you can submit multiple applications.

The core eligibility requirements include:

• A university degree (at least undergraduate, enrolled or graduated in the past two years) with demonstrated strong academic performance.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Fluency in English, French or Spanish. Knowledge of another UNICEF working language is desirable.
• Having no immediate relatives in any UNICEF office and no relatives in the line of the authority to which the intern will report to.

Other requirements such as relevant professional experience and skills are vacancy-specific. Not all internships offered by different UNICEF agencies are paid. When they are, the stipend amount will depend on the office and their capacities. For instance, the standard stipend given to interns at the UNICEF Headquarters in Geneva amounts to USD 1,500.

Please note that a UNICEF internship is not a guarantee of any future employment at UNICEF.

To see which internships are available at UNICEF at the moment, please visit UNICEF job board.

UNICEF also offers a free online course.

2. United Nations System Staff College

Location: Turin, Italy or Bonn, Germany.
Compensation: 450 EUR.
Duration: 3-6 months.
Application Deadline: depends on the vacancy.

United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) is a UN-founded knowledge management and learning institution based in Turin, Italy. The college offers courses and other learning initiatives such as seminars and strategic exchanges to thousands of people all over the globe, focusing on Leadership and Management, Peace and Security, and Sustainable Development.

Students from around the world are eligible to apply for a limited number of internship vacancies at this institution and take advantage of up to six months-long stay. The objectives of the internship program are to complement students and recent graduates’ formal education through practice, acquaint them with the work of the UNSSC, and allow the institution to benefit from qualified students’ assistance.

Specific duties and responsibilities will depend on the details of the internship but could include administrative duties, learning and training activities, and research.

Requirements:

• University Degree (enrolled or graduated in the past year), including Bachelor’s (only in the final year), Master’s and Ph.D. programs.
• Fluency in the English language.
• Knowledge of another UN working language is desirable.

To apply, find a specific internship opportunity posted on the UNSSC employment page and follow any specific instructions related to that internship.

Besides the modest stipend amounting to 450 EUR/month, UNSSC does not provide any financial assistance towards the costs of travel, visa, accommodation, vaccines, or health insurance.

3. UNOPS Internships

Location: worldwide.
Compensation: possible monthly stipend and USD 500 for travel costs.
Duration: usually up to 6 months with the possibility of extension
Application Deadline: depends on the vacancy.

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) is a UN agency which provides humanitarian and development solutions towards achieving peace and sustainable development. This agency’s activities include Project Management, Procurement, Human Resources, Infrastructure, and Financial Management. By working for this institutions, professionals can help reduce risk, advance speed and quality, and improve the cost-effectiveness in the work of different partners in more than 80 countries in the world, often in the riskiest environments.

Requirements:

• University Degree (enrolled or graduated in the past three years), including Bachelor’s and Master’s programs.
• Fluency in at least one UN working language, depending on the vacancy.

To apply for a UNOPS internship, applicants must create an account on UNOPS job portal. The application includes personal information as well as details about education, professional experience, languages, and other skills.

Provided that interns do not receive stipends from their university or other institutions, they may be eligible for a monthly stipend from UNOPS. In addition, the agency also awards one-time travel lump sums of USD 500 to all interns.

The recruitment process lasts between one and three months on average.

4. United Nations Alliance of Civilizations Internships

Location: New York, the United States.
Compensation: possible monthly stipend if not otherwise sponsored by other institutions.
Duration: up to 6 months with the possibility of extension.
Application Deadline: depends on the vacancy.

The United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) has existed since 2005. It emerged out of Kofi Annan’s initiative and with the support of governments of Spain and Turkey. Based in New York, the Alliance is a global network of states, international organizations, civil society groups as well as the private sector. The main areas of focus are Education, Youth, Migration, Media, all chosen in order to reduce tensions that exist among cultures and to bring cooperation between communities. As its core vision, UNAOC seeks to promote culturally sensitive development policies.

The UNAOC occasionally shares internship opportunities on its job portal.

The requirements depend on the type of internship advertised, however, it is expected from candidates to:

• hold an undergraduate or graduate diploma, obtained within three years before the start of the internship and
• be fluent in English and another UN working language

In the past, UNAOC has offered internships in the field of Communication, Community Engagement, and Education.

In general, interns may be eligible to obtain a monthly stipend, provided that they are not sponsored by any other institutions. Nevertheless, interns are responsible for their own visa, travel, and accommodation arrangements.

5. UK Mission to the United Nations

Location: Geneva, Switzerland.
Compensation: CHF 1,250/month.
Duration: up to 6 months.
Application Deadline: depends on the vacancy.

Another way to get an internship in the United Nations is through your national government. UN member states have their separate missions to the UN, so it is likely that they also offer internship opportunities to early-career professionals. One such country is the United Kingdom which has a well-established internships scheme.

The UK Mission to the UN in Geneva is concerned with UK participation in the UN and other international organizations such as IOM and WTO. The office covers the work of more than 35 international organizations to which the UK provides financial contributions. This mission does not deal with consular or visa services.

The Mission accepts interns on a regular basis. Selected interns work on a variety of issues such as trade, human rights, humanitarian issues, disarmament, and health.

Requirements:

• Graduates with a degree in a relevant field

The UK Mission provides all interns with a training allowance of up to CHF 1,250/month and is not able to offer any further assistance with regards to transport or accommodation.

Internship opportunities can be found at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s job board.

Apply for these amazing and affordable internship opportunities and get a chance to work at the UN without having excess costs!

Take a free course on human rights

On our dedicated page you can explore more paid human rights internships.

The post 5 United Nations Paid Internships appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Having a postgraduate degree is often one of the core requirements for jobs offered by international and national organizations working on humanitarian crises around the world. Master’s programs are generally designed to give professionals academic knowledge and training needed for them to be able to effectively operate in a conflict or disaster-affected environment. These degrees furthermore serve to help students gain or further develop practical experience through an internship at one of the leading humanitarian organizations or an independent research project. However, such humanitarian degrees frequently have high costs and require extensive professional experience, so it might seem impossible to find options which are affordable and suitable for one’s resume.

We have identified five top humanitarian degrees which train professionals to take different roles in humanitarian contexts (such as logisticians, managers, engineers, researchers and similar) and have affordable costs with a range of scholarship opportunities.

1. Humanitarianism and Conflict Response MA

 University of Manchester, the United Kingdom (UK)

The University of Manchester’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute offers one of the best humanitarian degrees that focus on effectively addressing crises caused by conflict or natural disasters. This Master’s program is multidisciplinary and it brings in knowledge and cases from a variety of disciplines such as medicine, law, and political science. One of the main goals is to help students develop superb analytical skills in order to critically assess humanitarianism. The course is directed by Dr Rony Brauman, former President of MSF France and is hosted by a leading research institute in the sphere of conflict response and peacebuilding. That said, the institute also closely cooperates with MSF and gives students an insight into their international operations.

During the year-long study, students will be able to take courses in Epidemiology, Emergency Humanitarian Assistance, Global Health, Conflict Analysis, and Reconstruction and Development.

Admissions Requirements:

• A second-class Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (first or second class honors).
• Proof of English language proficiency for non-native speakers.
• Academic references.

Graduates tend to assume senior positions in governmental and non-governmental organizations, pursue PhD studies, or develop their careers as consultants and researchers.

Tuition costs for a full-time study amount to £9,500 per year for Home/EU students, or £18,000 for Overseas students. Being one of the leading academic institutions, the University of Manchester offers a number of postgraduate scholarships, awards, and subject-specific bursaries.

2. IRIS SUP Diploma Bac+5 Humanitarian Manager Operational Course

IRIS Sup’, France

IRIS Sup’ is a private institution registered within the Rectorate of Paris. It offers one of the most competitive and best humanitarian degrees, designed for world’s future top humanitarian professionals. The program trains humanitarian managers in an array of subjects such as geopolitics and strategic analysis, giving them the essential practical training by international humanitarian actors.  IRIS’ partners on this program include international organizations such as Action against Hunger, MSF, Global Health Action, and Solidarity International.

During their studies, students develop concrete strategies that will allow them to improve the impact of both emergency and post-emergency programming, manage teams in insecure and multicultural environments, and provide aid to the most vulnerable populations.

The program consists of nine different modules, including Methods and Techniques for Strategic Analysis, GCP and Programming, Preparation for Professional Life, and Resource Management.

Admissions Requirements:

• An academic degree such as a Master’s in a relevant discipline (law, political science, management), medical or engineering degree.
• Alternatively, the lack of a master’s degree can be supplemented by relevant professional experience.
• Candidates are also expected to be international-oriented, speak good English, be fluent in French, and have good analytical skills.

The cost of this year-long program is 6,600 EUR for a full-time study. At the moment, this prestigious program is only offered in French.

3. Humanitarian Engineering MSc

University of Warwick, the United Kingdom (UK)

This uniquely-designed group of Master’s programs is offered by the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom. It aims to educate professionals to effectively address global challenges that arise in the context of water, energy, poverty, shelter, and transport. Students who enroll in this program will be trained to work in conflict and disaster-affected areas and equipped to address causes of such disasters, create preventative approaches, and apply suitable responses.

The University of Warwick offers three different humanitarian degrees under the umbrella of Humanitarian Engineering – MSc in Humanitarian Engineering, MSc in Humanitarian Engineering with Management, and MSc Humanitarian Engineering with Sustainability.

All three programs include the same core modules with mandatory courses such as Water and Environmental Management, Renewable Energy, and Disasters, Resilience and Urban Data. Additional modules are program-specific, so those wishing to focus on Management take additional courses on Project Management, while those who specialize in Sustainability will have a course on Sustainable Cities and Infrastructures for Emergencies.

Application requirements:

• Upper-second class (2:1) Bachelor’s degree (first or second class honors) in relevant disciplines such as engineering, science, social sciences, law, health, management, business and economics.
• Relevant professional experience.
• One academic reference.
• A statement of purpose (1-2 pages long)
• Proof of English language fluency for non-native speakers.

Graduates who hold one of these degrees have so far found placements with governments, multilateral development institutions such as World Bank, IMF, and United Nation, NGOs working in conflict and disaster-affected areas around the world, and universities.

Tuition fees currently stand at £8,580 for Home/EU students and £19,300 for Overseas applicants; however, the University of Warwick offers over 250 scholarships for postgraduate students to help decrease the costs and make this great program affordable.

4. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Degree Program in International Humanitarian Action (NOHA+)

Aix-Marseille Université, France; L-Università ta’ Malta, Malta, University of Groningen, the Netherlands, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, Universidad de Deusto, Spain, University College Dublin, Ireland, University of Warsaw, Poland, Uppsala University, Sweden

NOHA+ program, supported by the European Commission since 1993, is a two-year Master’s Degree in International Humanitarian Action offered by eight European universities in Spain, Sweden, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Germany, and Malta. The program is envisaged as multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, aiming to equip students with all necessary skills and knowledge needed to evaluate humanitarian emergencies across different fields of study. These include intervention and reconstruction programs, coping strategies for disasters and conflicts, as well as intercultural communication skills. Some of the courses NOHA+ students take are Legal Dimensions of Humanitarian Action, Public Health, Methodology and Research.

NOHA+ students spend the first semester at their home university, after which they are required to study at a partner university in Europe in the second term. In the third semester, students either follow the research specialization track at one of the global partner universities or complete a professional placement such as internship at a place of their choice.  Global partners include institutions in Jordan, Japan, Thailand, Australia, Nepal and other countries. The final semester is reserved for the completion of a master’s thesis.

Admissions Requirements:

• Completed Bachelor’s thesis.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject (law, health, international relations, sociology, economics, management, anthropology, psychology).
• Relevant professional experience.

Tuition fees amount to 6,000 EUR/year for both EU and non-EU students. The deadline to submit an application is May 1, 2018 for the course which begins on September 1, 2018, or May 1, 2019 for the 2019/2020 cycle.

Numerous scholarships are given to NOHA+ students towards their tuition fees and living expenses. For the 2018/2019 academic year, there will be 25 full Erasmus+ scholarships, while all home universities offer their own scholarship schemes. Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply for these scholarships which cover the costs of participation, travel expenses, and monthly allowances.

So far, over 3,000 professionals graduated from NOHA+ and have sought positions in both international and national organizations, working in the field and at headquarters. NOHA graduates work around the world as field coordinators, MEAL officers, researchers, and directors of organizations such as UNICEF, CARE International, and Danish Refugee Council.

5. International Cooperation and Development, Specializing Master

Universita Cattolica del Sacro Coure, Italy

Universita Cattolica del Sacro Coure in Milan, Italy offers a specializing Master’s program designed to train professionals to create solutions to global issues such as poverty, conflict, and instability. This is another interdisciplinary program where students receive both academic knowledge from various disciplines and specialized technical and managerial skills.

This one-year program consists of four different terms. The first level term includes scientific training where students take courses on Geopolitics, Human Development, and Project Cycle Management. The purpose of the second level term is for students to gain practical skills necessary in emergency contexts such enhanced cooperative skills, crisis prevention, relief and recovery, and development strategies. During the last two modules, students develop a research project on a relevant topic and are given an opportunity to complete an internship with one of the schools’ partner institutions.

Admissions Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree obtained by March 2018, preferably in political science, economics, law, humanities, education, psychology, social science, nursing, engineering, environmental science.
• Strong, experienced-based motivation is preferred.
• Proof of language proficiency (TOEFL, IELTS, or a completed degree in English).

This program is designed to begin in the winter term, so applications are for January 2019. Annual tuition fees amount to 7,500 EUR. Up to seven scholarships which reduce tuition fees by 25% are available.

Graduates work in different international and national institutions around the world, including NGOs dealing with emergency and poverty eradication.

Make sure that you stay updated with application deadlines for these inspiring and affordable master’s humanitarian degrees and prepare to upgrade your humanitarian career with new knowledge and experiences.

The post 5 Humanitarian Degrees in Europe appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Universities and international organizations around the world have created a number of online courses dedicated exclusively to human rights-related issues. The idea behind these courses is that anyone, no matter what educational background they have and regardless of where they are in the world can have access to important new knowledge.

Here are the top five human rights online courses which you can enroll today!

Please note that while it is possible to obtain free course materials for most of these courses, you might be requested to pay a small fee to be issued a certificate upon course completion.

Social Norms, Social Change I

Created jointly by University of Pennsylvania and UNICEF, this course takes students on a 4-week long journey through the concept of social norms.

The course, taught by Cristiana Bicchieri from the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Philosophy, is designed to give very practical skills. Students learn about diagnosing social norms, differentiating between them and other social constructs, creating new, beneficial norms through policy interventions, and making sure any harmful norms are removed.

The human rights-specific character of this course stems from the several lessons on violent behaviors such as child marriage and gender violence which this course offers.

Each week is dedicated to a specific broad topic or module, which will be narrowed down and followed by examples. There is a number of videos and readings that need to be completed so that the student can pass the assignments which are designed for each module.

The first half of the course deals with more theoretical concepts and learning how to measure expectations and preferences. The second half is about putting this knowledge into practice and looking at different tools policy makers can use to trigger and effect change. This material is included in a separate course called Social Norms, Social Change II.

In order to successfully complete the course, students must pass all graded assignments, which usually amount to 2-3 per week. Upon course completion, a certificate will be issued.

Although this is a course with a fee, Coursera awards financial aid to the students who cannot pay for the course tuition.

International Women’s Health and Human Rights

Stanford University offers a unique, all-encompassing course of women’s health and human rights, focusing not only on adult women but girls and infants. The course includes overviews of a range of topics, including discussing women in war and women as refugees, economic empowerment, and aging. The Women’s Health course offers examples of good practice and practice-oriented assignments which human rights practitioners can apply in their work.

This is a beginner’s course designed for undergraduate students as well as high school students. Anyone else who is interested in women’s rights and health is also free to register.

The length of the course depends on student’s pace, but it can typically be completed in 10-11 weeks, considering that there are 10 major modules. Each module deals with a broadly defined topic such as education or reproductive health, and it consists of various videos and readings. Several graded assessments are available for every module and must be passed in order to complete the course.

There are many reasons why this course is so special. First and foremost, the creators of the course made the learning materials available online for free for anyone interested. That said, you may wish to apply for Coursera’s financial aid to help you purchase the certificate, or simply choose to enroll the course without obtaining the certificate, in which case you can attend the entire course at no cost.

What’s more, the creators of the course, including Professor Anne Firth Murray who teaches it, encourage interactive discussions throughout the course, so students, who usually come from all over the world, can learn from each other.

 Children’s Human Rights – An Interdisciplinary Introduction

This fantastic course on children’s human rights is offered by the University of Geneva and taught by three different professors who work at the Center for Children’s Rights Studies.

The course deals with the concept of children’s rights from a variety of perspectives. It adopts an interdisciplinary approach that voices opinions and concerns from law, psychology, sociology, history, economy, and other sciences to present all critical issues which concern children’s rights.

Students are introduced to the history of children’s rights and the evolution of this human rights category. Of course, such knowledge is complemented by many examples from practice and discussing topics such as the role of international organizations. That said, the course also incorporates a presentation of international and regional standards of children’s rights, as well as different bodies which are meant to ensure that these rights are respected.

The knowledge participants can gain through this course is impressive and very holistic, which makes the course great for both students and professionals. Although this is a beginner’s course, more advanced students who are already familiar with some of the topics will have a chance to access additional readings each week. Those who successfully complete class assessments can request to be issued a statement of accomplishment.

Several modules are discussed over the course of 4 weeks. In addition to the issues mentioned above, the instructors will also dedicate separate modules to juvenile justice, violence against children, children’s right to participation, and global health.

Coursera’s financial aid is available for this course.

Human Rights Defenders

No other online course is entirely dedicated to the activists who continuously speak against injustice. Amnesty International offers a free course where participants learn about who human rights defenders they are, what they have achieved so far, and how they overcome struggles. The creators of the course have prepared plenty of materials which give insights into hands-on experiences by both human rights defenders and their families.

Essentially, this course is not only about honoring human rights defenders but also learning how to become one. During the course, students are taught how they can decrease some of the risks human rights defenders expose their lives to, and what their local governments can do to protect the rights of those defending the rights of others. Participants are also shown how they can take action and become vocal defenders of the inalienable human rights and freedoms.

Everyone enrolled in the course is encouraged to join discussions with other students throughout the course duration, and share personal experiences and insights from their own communities. Working together is an integral part of this course and of any successful campaign that seeks to defend human rights, which is why participants will have a chance to join a truly global human rights community.

This is the only course on the list which is available in languages other than English. Spanish, French, and Arabic speakers are also invited to enroll. The course is self-paced so you can enroll whenever is convenient. Once you start, it will take 4 weeks to complete the course. All the materials will be provided for free; however, if you wish to obtain a verified certificate, you must pay a $49 fee.

Human Rights for Open Societies

This course is inspired by the numerous threats human rights face nowadays, such as undemocratic voting and deteriorating rights of minorities. These events occur around the world and are harmful to open societies which foster freedom and equality. To join the struggle to maintain open societies and learn how to act for human rights, enroll this amazing course.

The course is offered by Utrecht University from the Netherlands and is taught by three different professors from Utrecht Law School.

The first and central topic this course deals with is the European Convention on Human Rights. Participants are introduced to the Convention as well as the European Court of Human Rights which serves to protect human rights of individuals living in 48 different states. By the end of the course, participants will be familiar with technical bits related to the work of the court and will understand how an application can be made by someone whose human rights had been violated.

Different individual rights such as freedom of expression, particularly in the context of public protest, and the prohibition of discrimination are discussed throughout the course. Essentially, this will open room for debates about certain vulnerable groups like migrants. Debates about how essential democratic governments are for open societies and the links between human rights and democracy will be essential components of the course.

This is a beginner’s course where no prior knowledge needed, although some legal background could be useful.

It takes 6 weeks to complete the course. Each week, course instructors will deal with a different broad topic which will be explained through videos and readings. In order to qualify for a certificate, participants must receive a passing score on each graded assignment.

Coursera’s financial aid is available for this course.

Join these amazing courses today and equip yourself with useful knowledge and skills! Explore more human rights courses now!

The post Top 5 Free Human Rights Online Courses appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Talking about human rights through the medium of film is one of the most effective ways to point out a specific humanitarian issue or human rights crisis. A short movie is any movie which lasts less than 40 minutes and is, therefore, not long enough to be considered a feature film. Although short movies date a while back, they have become quite popular in recent years due to their compactness and the ability to convey a powerful message in a short period of time. That said, short movies are also a tool many human rights defenders use to raise awareness about a particular human rights issue and inspire social changes.

We have selected five amazing short movies which deal with an array of human rights topics and concerns – from the rights of the disabled to environmental issues. Each of these art pieces lasts for about half an hour or less and is definitely a must-watch.

Angela

Directed by Botand Püsök (2015) Romania | 33 min

“Angela” is directed by a young Romanian director and has won the hearts and minds of the viewers on different documentary film festivals in the past couple of years. This short movie deals with the issue of discrimination towards the Roma people in Southeastern Europe and the everyday struggles they face. The story is set in the Romanian region of Transylvania where the majority of the population is Hungarian speaking. The viewers follow a young Roma girl (Angela) as she is preparing to give birth. She discusses her relationship with God, the gender roles in her communities, and the difficulties that Roma girls encounter during their upbringing.

Along the road, pieces from her disadvantaged past are revealed – the girl was kidnapped to be married, and then taken again by her future husband. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that the movie “Angela” is not only about Angela. It is about all the challenges that Roma people face in Romania and Hungary as well as elsewhere in Europe, as they try to integrate into local communities.

What is so special about this movie is that it contains raw footage of the everyday lives of Transylvanian Roma and it tries to depict how they cope with living on the margin of the society.

E-Wasteland

Directed by David Fedele (2012) The UK | 20 min

For people in the “developed” Western world, buying new electronic appliances and gadgets and discarding the old ones is a common thing. But, do we ever wonder what happens with our old electronics?

In total, humans produce around 50 million tons of electronic waste every year. Some 200,000 tons of these electronic goods are sent to Ghana in West Africa. Percentage-wise, this could be a small figure, but it is still a lot of waste for a not-so-large, developing country. Many of these electronics are sold and used as second-hand goods, while others are simply thrown away at a dump.

E-Wasteland is a movie set in one of the slums in Ghana which were built around a dump site where many of these electronics end up. The directors follow the people who live in the Agbogbloshie slum in Ghana’s capital Accra. Agbogbloshie is, in fact, the largest electronics (or e-waste) dump site in the whole of Africa.

At the time the movie was made, there were over 30,000 settlers from different poorer regions in Ghana who called the slum their home. These people are largely uneducated, ignored by state authorities, and left with no job prospects or marketable skills. That said, they resort to the waste that surrounds them and try to make a living by recycling it.

In “E-Wasteland,” the viewers are taken on a visual tour through the consequences of unregulated e-waste and failed development policies, as they learn about another defeat of the modern economy.

Machine Man

Directed by Alfonso Moral and Roser Corella (2011) Spain | 15 min

This amazing short film is concerned with issues of modernity and global development in the 21^st century. In only 15 minutes, the directors of the film manage to draw our attention to the millions of minimum wage laborers who tirelessly work day and night like machines.

The story follows several workers in Bangladesh, one of the most populous and poorest countries in the world, known for being a supplier of cheap labor. In this small, but crowded country, thousands of people do machine-like repetitive work with their hands. The directors take the viewers on a journey through many different industries. We see women who collect coal and work all day with their bare feet. Young boys who should be in school make bricks. Other children collect and sort plastic bottles for as long as twelve hours a day. Thin, starved men transport heavy sacks.

All of these people destroy their health by working in conditions which must be considered inhumane. Yet, they have no other options as hundreds of employers stay eager to pay the minimum wage for the worst possible conditions.

What this movie shows is that, in spite of the development of modern technologies, producers still hire a large labor force to perform the most difficult of tasks, ignoring their workers’ and human rights.

Girl-Hearted (Mädchenseele)

Directed by Anne Scheschonk (2017) Germany | 37 min

“Girl-Hearted” is one of the few short films which explore the struggles and aspirations of transgender children. The movie, set in Germany, follows 7-year old Nori and her mother as they debate whether Nori is a girl or a boy. In her eyes, Nori was born as a boy, but she has a girl’s heart, which is why it is clear to her she is a girl.

Knowing that her child would be rejected by the community and the society, the mother argued with her son for five years about what he was going to wear to school and how he was going to present himself.

As the story unfolds, the viewers understand it took some time for the mother to understand she never had a son – Nori has always been her daughter. The child’s appearance does not matter anymore – what comes first is that Nori is happy. “Girl-Hearted” rightfully points out the incredibly difficult path of trying to live a life outside the commonly accepted norms. It is already hard enough for adults, yet, this beautiful movie gives us novel insights into how the struggle impacts children.

“Girl-Hearted” came out in 2017 and has already won several international prizes, including the Documentary Feature Film Award at the 3^rd Montevideo World Film Festival.

The Glass Man

Directed by We Ra (2013) Myanmar | 20 min

“The Glass Man” is one of the most inspiring human rights short movies. It deals with a topic of monumental importance – the rights of the disabled. While educating the viewers about all the stigma that comes with a physical or mental disability, the movie also leaves us with great optimism in our hearts, knowing that things can be improved.

This movie is a story about a young disabled boy called Kaung Htet. He grew up in Myanmar in poverty. Kaung Htet suffers from osteoporosis, which has led him to break his bones over 40 times since his birth. Still, he continued to live without proper treatment or medication. Since his childhood, he has been treated as odd and different by the members of his community and hasn’t had a chance to develop up to his potential.

Nevertheless, Kaung Htet perseveres. He volunteers as a teacher in a local school, and he gives support and advice to other disabled children and adults who want to improve their lives. The young man feels empowered and is full of hope that others can be empowered, too. In “The Glass Man,” we see an incredible struggle for the rights of the disabled in a small, local community as well as in the entire country. In only 20 minutes, the movie certainly teaches us lessons which can be taken and applied in different cultural contexts.

These are only some of the many fantastic short films which human rights students and professionals can use to educate themselves on a particular topic or region, share with like-minded friends and family, or even play in the classroom or at a meeting. We hope you will enjoy watching them as much as we did!

The post Five Brilliant Short Movies Which Deal With Human Rights Issues appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Human rights education (HRE) is a concept used for education programs and activities which enhance equality, dignity, and rights for all. Educators around the world have specialized in human rights and embarked on the mission to promote a culture of universal human rights. The international community is also well aware that human rights have to be implemented through education and not only legal fora, which is why several international organizations and universities have begun to publish HRE education to help the educators.

Here are some the most amazing sources for human rights educators.

1.      Amnesty International’s Human Rights Education

Amnesty International is one of the pioneers of Human Rights Education. Their HRE platform is a regularly-updated, endless pool of resources for human rights educators, established with the aim to equip them with the skills that promote human equality and dignity for all with the goal to take action for human rights. The materials are usually available in multiple languages.

There are several different features human rights educators can benefit from through Amnesty International. Firstly, there are Amnesty International’s free online courses. At the moment, everyone who is interested can attend the Human Rights Defenders course on the EdX platform free of charge. The course takes 4 weeks to complete.

Next, Amnesty also creates a number of lesson plans and materials to be used in the classroom. For example, lesson plans for the Write for Rights campaign are available in English, French, and Spanish. Educators can use them to help their students gain the writing and thinking skills which are necessary to this form of human rights advocacy. Furthermore, the organization actively works on human rights-friendly schools, so many sources deal with this topic and assist school employees in making their institution more human rights-friendly.

Finally, educators from all over the world share their experiences and techniques on Amnesty’s Education Blog. On the blog, you can also find out about new online courses before they are launched.

2.      Compass: Manual for Human Rights Education with Young People

Established by the Council of Europe, Compass has been a valuable resource for human rights educators since 2002. On the website, educators can access the Manual for Human Rights Education with Young People, which is divided into five different chapters. These include practical activities and methods to be used in the classroom, as well as a section of taking action for human rights. Furthermore, one of the chapters concerns important background info on an array of human rights themes such as citizenship and participation, gender, migration, and peace and violence. The information given about each topic is quite extensive and complemented by examples, questions, and exercises.

In total, Compass offers over seventy different exercises that human rights educators can use in distinct cultural contexts and with different age groups. These activities are categorized on the basis of the human rights topic they related to, preferred group size, complexity, and time need for their completion. Another useful tool included in this manual is Human Rights Calendar, which notes and describes all important dates for human rights. Links to further readings and sources are also listed.

The Compass Manual is currently available in 30 different languages.

Other HRE sources by the Council of Europe:

Please note that there a special version of Compass called Compasito, designed for children from six to thirteen years old.

In addition, the Council of Europe has prepared a separate manual called Gender Matters with the purpose of educating young people on how gender-based violence affects them.

The Council of Europe’s “All Different – All Equal” campaign also resulted in valuable HRE sources which serve to raise awareness of racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, and intolerance, and how to successfully combat them. This is a particularly great resource for everyone working on intercultural communication and education.

3.      Equitas Tools for Education

Equitas is one of Canada’s most well-known and active human rights education organization. The organization works tirelessly on HRE materials, all of which are accessible online. The tools available aspire to motivate people around the world to educate others about human rights and take action in their communities.

The HRE program of Equitas specializes in four major areas: gender equality, child and youth participation, building the capacity of human rights defenders, and evaluation of human rights education. Under each of these topics, Equitas has published several handbooks and guides. For instance, when it comes to gender equality, there is a comprehensive guide on women’s rights in Muslim communities, and on monitoring and reporting women’s rights in Kazakhstan, with a number of workshop material, exercises, and teaching modules. Children’s rights can be taught via the Human Rights Education Toolkit called “Play It Fair!” which has numerous fun and interactive activities.

The Human Rights Defenders scheme is particularly well-equipped with region or topic-specific materials, written not only for educators but participants as well. Some of these resources are available in languages other than English.

These tools and materials are followed up by the Equitas Shares It HRE blog, and online courses.

4.      Human Rights Resource Center, University of Minnesota

University of Minnesota’s Human Rights Library is a famous resource among human rights students and professionals all around the world. As a part of the library, University of Minnesota has also been publishing HRE sources under the Human Rights Resource Center. The idea behind the project is to help human rights educators in the US and abroad build a culture of human rights in their communities.

The Human Rights Education Series includes several e-books. There is the foundation volume, which is a general introduction to human rights, and another eight manuals for human rights educators, each of them dealing with a different topic. Some of the topics covered so far are economic and social justice, LGBT rights, rights of persons with disabilities, and indigenous rights. Each of these books includes theory and practice, and there are many useful activities for adult students and children.

The Human Rights Resource Center has links to other online materials and human rights-related classroom activities. Additional standout features are human rights presentations on about a dozen different topics. Educators are free to use them in their current form or modify them to better fit the curricula they are following.

Inspired by Close the Gap documentary series on race and class, the Human Rights Resource Center has also created two guides – one for educators and another one for community leaders and members – to help foster dialogue about racial and class issues.

Some of the activities are translated into several different languages.

5.      UN OHCHR’s Human Rights Education Series

Human rights education is among the many activities of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR). The organization’s website has a useful Human Rights Education series among its publications. This series is composed of guides with methodological and reference tools relating to the World Program for Human Rights Education. Most materials are written, but there are also some multimedia resources that educators can explore to enhance their knowledge or discuss them with their students.

“ABC – Teaching Human Rights: Practical Activities for Primary and Secondary Schools” is one of the OHCHR sources human rights educators can particularly benefit from. It contains a great body of case studies, examples, activities, and questions for discussions. Like most other materials, this, too, is available in several languages.

Another category of the OHCHR’s publications is called Professional Training Series. The guidebooks aim to educate professionals who can have an impact on the human rights situation in their country. For example, there is a manual on how to report to the United Nations human rights treaty bodies, or how to approach the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Educators can greatly benefit from these materials as they include effective pedagogical techniques and classroom activities.

6.      HREA, the Global Human Rights Education and Training Centre

HREA is an international non-governmental organization which specializes in HRE and training of human rights defenders. The organization publishes a variety of educational materials in order to foster peaceful, free, and just communities.

Educators and all other interested professionals and students can join one of HREA’s online courses. The courses are either self-directed or tutored, and fall within 13 broad human rights areas, including policy-making, project management, and advocacy. Although the courses are not free of charge, the registration fee is very reasonable in order to make the courses accessible to all. New courses start in February 2018, and take six weeks to complete. Self-directed courses are available all year round and are offered in English and French.

In addition, HREA regularly organizes training workshops to provide human rights professionals with new practical skills. The upcoming workships HREA has prepared in 2018 concern gender responsive budgeting, child rights governance, and human trafficking and smuggling.

Last but not least, HREA’s Resource Center contains thousands of archived HRE material published by the organization in the past 18 years. The center is currently offline for improvement, but you can still explore the archived version of the site.

We hope you will take advantage of these human rights education materials and explore the online portals for more links which can be of help. Spread the word about these free materials, and enjoy gaining new knowledge and skills!

The post Six Amazing Resources for Human Rights Educators appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Human Rights knowledge does not have to cost much. Many universities and international organizations offer some of their publications for free. You can download the pdf versions of these selected books onto your phone or any other device to support your human rights studies or work. Here are descriptions and links to eight human rights study books you can download for free.

1.      Lifting the Spirit: Human Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief (Published by Human Rights Resource Center, University of Minnesota)

University of Minnesota has done all human rights students and professionals a great favor by establishing the Human Rights Library, an incredibly large pool of human rights resources. In addition to human rights treaties, United Nations documents, human rights documents from the United States, and many others, this library also contains a small section on Human Rights Education and Training. Here you will find a series of human rights books published by University of Minnesota with the goal of helping the educators in the US and abroad who wish to build a culture of human rights in their communities. There is a foundation volume to be read as the first step, and another eight books organized by topic. One of the latest topic-based book in the series is called Lifting the Spirit: Human Rights and Freedom of Religion or Belief. This book is a valuable resource for teachers, but also anyone who wishes to understand the concept of freedom of religion or belief. It is designed for secondary classrooms, religious institutions, and youth advocacy organizations, and can be adapted to distinct cultural settings. The book guides the reader through 21 different lessons on freedom of religion and belief, which are followed by a series of human rights documents and a human rights glossary that helps understand the very basic concepts.

2.      Communication & Human Rights (Published by International Association for Media and Communication Research, Mexico, 2012)

This book was published after the International Association for Media and Communication Research (IAMCR) organized a conference on Communication and Human Rights in Mexico City in 2009. The book is a collection of the best papers which were presented at the conference. It is very international in character, and it informs the reader about such a great variety of communication-related topics, including media education and human rights, languages, and censorship. Freedom of expression and right to communicate are of particular interest in this collection of articles. The ways in which information and privacy rights have been eroded become a concern of all after reading this book. In it, you will also find interesting debates about women’s human and communication rights, or the right to identity and communication. It is a useful resource for media and communication students, policy-makers and practitioners, as well as for human rights professionals who wish to explore the relationship between human rights and freedoms and the media. The book is available for a free download in both English and Spanish.

3.      Mainstreaming Politics: Gendering Practices and Feminist Theory (Published by University of Adelaide Press, 2010)

University of Adelaide Press is another publisher that often allows free access to some of its ebooks, several of which concerns human rights. In the spotlight stands this collection of articles edited by Bacchi and Eveline in 2010. This is an advanced book which offers a novel approach to gender equality, the process of social change, and any corresponding policy-making. The book focuses on gender mainstreaming, which is a recent development in gender equality policies all over the world as well as in international organizations such as the World Bank. More precisely, there are a couple of chapters which explain the concept and then further explore different approaches to gender mainstreaming. Furthermore, the idea of diversity mainstreaming is introduced, explained and juxtaposed vis-à-vis gender mainstreaming. The authors treat the process of reducing and eliminating sexism, racism and other inequalities and oppressions as still on-going and long-term, and propose concrete steps forward. For these reasons, this book is a must-read for everyone interested in equality, particularly public policy students and policy-makers.

4.      A Basic Human Right: Meaningful Access to Legal Representation The Human Rights Policy Seminar, University of North Carolina School of Law. (Published by University of North Carolina, 2015)

This book offers a great overview of the legal framework of the right to have access to legal representation. Although it concerns a legal topic, this book is written in a way so that readers of different professional backgrounds can explore what happens or should happen when human rights are defended. At the very beginning, the authors elaborate on the importance of having a meaningful and effective counsel when one’s human rights are endangered. In the US and elsewhere, the access to legal services remains inadequate, and this threatens the basic human rights of us all. Having established that, the authors move on to discuss the international, regional, and domestic US norms which put the right to legal representation to force. Finally, the book is not merely theoretical, but it aspires to teach through examples. For this reason, there is a number of cases from the US such as civil legal claims, immigration cases, and examples from the criminal justice system. With such a diversity of topics and practical explanations, this book can be an excellent resource for law students, young legal professionals, as well as people working or willing to work in the non-governmental organizations.

5.      Transitional Justice Theories (Published by Routledge, 2014)

Transitional justice is a young discipline, which has become increasingly valuable in recent decades in societies emerging from conflict or authoritarian regimes. Transitional Justice Theories is an essential resource for all students and practitioners interested in peace studies, conflict resolution, and post-conflict stability. The editors compiled a number of articles from distinguished scholars and practitioners to create this fundamental piece. The book defines and redefines our understanding of transitional justice, presents novel critiques of the field, and gives guidance about in which direction transitional justice discourse and practice should continue. The chapters tackle the broad topics of reconciliation in divided societies, the power of transitional justice to be transformative, the construction of the past in truth commissions, and a critical theory perspective of the political economy of transitional justice, among others. It is an excellent book to use in human rights and critical theory classes or to explore on your own in order to learn more about the essential work that needs to be done in the field of transitional justice for the betterment of fundamental human rights and freedoms.

6.      Can Human Rights Survive? (Published by Cambridge University Press, 2006)

This human rights book consists of three essays which were originally presented as a part of the 2005 Hamlyn Lectures. The author Conor Gearty, who is a Professor of Human Rights Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science, discusses a particular human rights crisis in each of the essays: the crisis of authority, the crisis of legalism, and the crisis of national security. He then explores whether human rights can truly survive all the present challenges such as terrorism and the degradation of our environment and resources. On a more philosophical note, this book also considers some of the fundamental questions such as the concept of human rights and how we define it. Such a book is a valuable study resource to use in order to understand the other, not so positivist side of the human rights debate. That said, the author’s arguments can help all those interested in human rights, politics and law be more critical of the present-day human rights system.

7.      Understanding Human Rights. Manual on Human Rights Education (Published by European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (ETC), Graz, 2012)

Funded by the Austrian Development Agency, this manual was published with the aim to support and encourage the public to learn about human rights and duties. It is a long and comprehensive piece which aspires to make human rights relevant to each and every person. In this way, human rights can be used as a tool for economic and social progress and people-centered sustainable development. The book includes a brief introduction to the system of human rights where a detailed overview of major developments in human rights law is presented, starting with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This section also includes a great number of human rights quotes which you can use in your writings or speeches. The book also deals with the historical and philosophical elements of human rights in a very simple, easy-to-read language. Furthermore, it contains hundreds of pages where each individual right is discussed in a separate module. Additional resources that come with this book concern human rights education methodology, the chronology of the global struggle for human rights, and a couple of United Nations human rights documents. This book is a fantastic resource for anyone who is getting acquainted with the international human rights framework and contemporary debates such as multinational corporations and human rights or impunity.

We hope you are going to take advantage of these free human rights study books and use them as resources in your work. Stay updated on these publisher’s news for any free human rights resources they may publish in the upcoming months.

The post 7 Human Rights Study Books You Can Download For Free appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Deciding to work in a conflict zone is a tough choice. On the one hand, recent graduates often become frustrated with office jobs, feeling like they are not making any actual changes for the betterment of the lives of those whose human rights are endangered. At the same time, organizations working in particularly unstable countries prone to civil conflict or terrorist attacks are always in need of staff members and highly skilled personell. On the other hand, those considering making such a career move expectedly worry about their safety and whether they will be able to cope with everything that living under constant threat of an attack brings. Essentially, it is a career move that affects not only you, but your family as well.

Taking these concerns into consideration, how do those who do end up doing human rights-related work in a conflict zone make their decision? What does working in a conflict zone really look like? Is it worth it? These are some of the questions we asked Julieta Nikolova, a Young Professional working for the EU Delegation in Russia, in the attempt to better understand this aspect of human rights careers.

Native to Bulgaria, Julieta decided to pursue her interest in Central Asia soon after graduating from her interdisciplinary Master of Laws (LLM) in Germany, having specialized in international security. As a result, she spent two years working in Afghanistan. She started in a law firm, and then moved to a non-governmental organization to work as a research project manager. More specifically, she was working on the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security agenda for Afghanistan. Her work was to follow, analyze and measure how far Afghanistan is progressing with regards to the promises the government made to meet certain targets of the global agenda and women’s and human rights in general.

Living and working in the human rights sector in Afghanistan for so long was both rewarding and challenging, Julieta says. She spoke to us about how she made a decision to go, what her life in Kabul looked like, all the challenges she faces and the rewards she got out of the entire experience.

Getting ready to work in a war zone: books, blogs and emergency manuals

Preparing well for your big move is absolutely necessary, even if you are only at the applications stage. Oftentimes things will move very quickly and you might be in a position to accept an offer within several days. We wanted to know how Julieta went through this entire process.

I: What inspired you to apply for a job in Afghanistan in the first place?

J: Before Afghanistan, I worked for the UN Women in Tajikistan for a couple of months. I wrote my Master Thesis on Central Asia, so I wanted to go and experience the region myself. My experience in Tajikistan was fascinating; I could travel and communicate with the beneficiaries of the projects, women and men, who understood that they could make a change in their society.
I had to go back to Europe and finish my studies but I already knew that I liked the field experience, and I was ready to risk with something bigger, namely going to a war zone. I liked the region, the people and the culture. I started searching and applying for different positions in local and international NGOs in Afghanistan, but in the end I decided to use my legal background and go to work in the legal sector.

I: How did the application process go?

J: Of course I made all applications online. The interview for my first job was via internet as well. When I received the offer, the rest of the administration-related work started. Sometimes, visa processes for Afghanistan can take time, so be ready for that.

I: How did your family react?

J: My family knew from the very beginning that I wanted to go to Afghanistan. They couldn’t understand this decision, and they were not happy about it either. But my family never restricted me in any way. It is true they were not particularly happy that I received a job there, but they didn’t stop me from giving it a try and fulfilling my wishes.

I: How did you prepare for moving to Afghanistan?

J: While I was waiting for the visa, I read a lot of blogs online about the country, written by both locals and by expats. In addition, I read a lot of manuals about what to do in emergency situations and I watched movies about Afghanistan just to get to know the country culture-wise.

Working in a war zone: “No one can prepare you for this”

Packed with book knowledge and the essentials, Julieta flew off to Kabul. Besides the obvious cultural shock, she also had to adapt to distinct conditions applicable to both her work environment and her daily routine.

I: What was your first impression when you came to Afghanistan?

J: My first impression was that in Afghanistan everything was different. I had to change my work habits. I had to adapt myself to the working way of my colleagues, clients and partners. For this, no one can prepare you, no books or blogs. You can either observe carefully and learn, or at some point it will become evident that you don’t fit in the environment.

I: What challenges does being in a conflict zone bring?

J: Well, to be honest, there are many challenges to living and working in a conflict zone. They start from how you do your work, because you are very restricted when it comes to going out for meetings, meeting people, travelling. Of course, at all times, there is a risk that something can happen to, whether you are behind the desk, at home, or going for a meeting.

I: And, are there additional difficulties you experienced simply because you are a woman and a young professional?

J: I would not exaggerate if I said that for a female expat, it is even more uncomfortable. I am a person who likes her freedom, and in a conflict zone, I had to give up a big part of it.

I: Did your education help you prepare for the work you did? What was your work environment like?

J: Education is important. I studied about different schools of politics, war theories, psychology of war and so on. Of course I didn’t need those in Afghanistan. But my degrees were important because they taught me a specific way of thinking, and this helped me a lot in Afghanistan. It helped me cope with both of my jobs.

When it comes to the work I did, the only thing I couldn’t do, was to be among the people, among these very women that need the government, Ministries and President to know about their needs. Nevertheless, thanks to the wonderful colleagues I had, I was able to have access to every piece of information I needed, to research the topics that were important to me and to write extensive reports.

I: In your opinion, how do professionals who live in conflict zones cope with the overwhelming insecurity? Did you experience any stress?

J: I think how one copes with the stress is very personal. There were many stressful moments for me, especially when I knew that I was lucky to pass the street where a blast happened just five minutes before it happened, and that many other people were not that lucky.

After such an event, you need time, time to reflect, to rest, to recover. For me, to maintain my contacts with people was important. I am a very social person, and although in a war zone it is not easy to be social, it is important that one meets people, talks and shares.

Julieta’s advice: “Be ready to realize your limits”

Living in Afghanistan was a real rollercoaster for Julieta but, speaking to her, one realizes she thinks it was totally worth it, despite the insecurity. Why is that?

J: To my mind, Afghanistan is really a special place, with different people, traditions and customs. Indeed, I have studied about war, politics of war, history of war, strategy, but never have I studied the social aspects of war. At the university, it was always just about the numbers. In Afghanistan, I saw the social aspects of war, how war reflects on individual lives, on families, on generations. I can say that it was worth going to the war zone even only for that because I could never get this experience and knowledge in any other way.

I: What advice do you have for human rights professionals who want to relocate to conflict zones to do humanitarian or human rights work?

J: Think about it! I have always believed that if a person wants to achieve something, there is a way. I believed that I can cope with everything. In Afghanistan, I realized my limits. And this was a positive exercise for me. We are not machines, we are human beings. We need to realize when we have reached our limits and then maybe step back. Otherwise, there could be very negative physical and psychological implications.

I: Last but not least, what is the most valuable lesson you learned from your experience?

J: I have learned a lot from my stay in Afghanistan. I learned a lot about my work, about myself and people’s nature. I do not know which is the most valuable. Maybe I have learned about the value of life.

There is no greater motivation to pursue a career path than getting to adopt a whole new perspective on your own life and what it is means to you, while at the same time investing your time and resources to help people who still put their lives at great risk every single day. Julieta’s inspiring story reminds us of that, and encourages us to work in the field. Making a decision to move to Afghanistan or another unstable country to do human rights-related work shouldn’t be too easy. After all, there are all these concerns Julieta mentioned to be taken into consideration. However, it shouldn’t be too difficult either, because it is the best way to put years and years of your human rights education into practice.

The post Human rights work in a conflict zone: Julieta’s insights from Afghanistan appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Recent UNICEF report suggests that nearly 140,000 migrants arrived on European shores from January until September 2017. Many of these migrants choose the Eastern Mediterranean Route, that is, they enter through Turkey or Greece and move north through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Serbia and Bulgaria until they reach Hungary.

In the first nine months of 2017 only, 18,640 children migrants were identified on this particular route, with an increased risk that there might be many more. Both children and adult migrants have reportedly been living in very harsh conditions in all of these countries, some of them stranded in one same place for years with no prospects for a better future.

While human rights professionals are always necessary in such a serious humanitarian crisis like this one, winter is particularly dangerous and is what both the humanitarian workers and the migrants fear the most. In other words, in the next several months, most migrants currently on the Southeastern European route will not have a warm place to stay, access to clean water, nutritious food, or health services. People from any part of the world willing to help are needed more than ever.

For this reason, we have prepared an overview of the ways in which any human rights professional or activist can help provide relief in the current migrant crisis in this particular part of the world. More precisely, we have identified the repeatedly advertised, paid and unpaid, positions that both local and international organizations are in need of for you to consider in case this is your preferred career path.

Volunteer Opportunities

Local and international organizations working on the migrant crisis in Southeastern Europe never have enough hands to help them out. Moreover, although there are large inflows of funding available, the money often goes to the bare necessities that the beneficiaries have – and even those are not enough for everyone. That said, everyone willing to help out for free is above needed and extremely valued.

As a volunteer, you will be asked to make a commitment to stay with the organization at least for 3 weeks – although some organizations ask for the minimum of 3-6 months. Sometimes, you can expect to have any local transportation costs covered, or to be given a warm meal together with the beneficiaries, however this should not be counted on for all open positions. Needless to say, even though it is unpaid work, volunteers have to deal with extremely vulnerable groups of people and, more often than not, with sensitive personal information as well, so organizations will always establish a set of pre-selection criteria to make sure you are the right fit.

The opportunities are plenty, especially considering that the harsher period of the year is coming. You can decide to volunteer in emergency situations – so, for instance, on one of the Greek islands where saving lives actually happens – or to volunteer in one of the numerous camps and shelters for migrants.

It would be impossible to list all of the organizations currently contributing to ameliorating the consequences of the migrant crisis in some capacity, so we have carefully picked a couple of volunteering opportunities worth considering.

1. Lighthouse Relief

Deadline: on-going applications

Lighthouse Relief started out as a small group of independent volunteers working on the island of Lesbos, one of the main target destinations of migrants coming by boat. Two years later, they have become active both on the Greek mainland in the Ritsona Refugee Camp and on the island of Lesbos, and have a number of on-going volunteer opportunities. In the refugee camp, the organization is currently looking for volunteers to engage in Child Friendly Space, Female Friendly Space, Youth Engagement Space and as a videographer. On Lesbos, volunteers are asked to participate in emergency response, mainly in spotting and giving support in overnight transit. Any relevant humanitarian discipline (human rights, political science) will suffice, and it is desirable but not necessary that you speak one of the languages of the migrants, such as Kurdish or Arabic. Another requirement for Lighthouse Relief volunteers is that you are at least 23 years old.

Other similar volunteer opportunities in Greece are regularly updated on the Greece Volunteers Info website.

2. Refugee Aid Serbia (RAS)

Deadline: on-going applications

When it comes to working with migrants, RAS is one of the most active locally-founded organizations in Serbia. RAS started with a Hot Meal Program, through which 1,000 warm meals were provided to migrants in Serbia each day. Nowadays, their mission has expanded to include the distribution of non-food items in different migrant reception centers. RAS also runs an education center together with another Serbian NGO called North Star. This important organization is in constant need of volunteers of different levels of experience and education, mostly to help the daily distribution team, whose role will be of utmost importance in the next few months.

Internship Opportunities

If you are looking for a more long-term engagement but you do not have enough experience to apply for an entry-level position, you might consider getting involved in the migrant crisis as an intern. Unlike volunteering, internships are not necessarily unpaid. Furthermore, they oftentimes involve working for a larger international organization, so the work can be completely office-based. When it comes to the organizations present in the countries of Southeastern Europe, we recommend that you closely follow positions advertised by Terre des hommes, Save the Children, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ office (UNHCR), Medecins Sans Frontiers, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and International Rescue Committee. Most of these organizations will offer some form of compensation for your invaluable work.

Consultancies

Some of the best-paying jobs in the human rights sector are consultancies. In other words, international organizations constantly look for experts on a particular topic to do some background research or an annotated bibliography for them, process particular data from the field, or advise them on how to proceed with regards to a particular issue. These are short-term engagements which can sometimes be done remotely, while other times fieldwork might be necessary.

Due to the scope and length of the current migrant crisis, international organizations which have been long present in the countries of Southeastern Europe have found themselves in a position where they have to constantly reshape their missions and adapt their approach to the thousands of new beneficiaries. For this reason, there are regular calls for consultants with pretty much the same international organizations mentioned above, as well as UNICEF. You should monitor them closely in case you would rather do more scientific and less hands-on work.

Popular jobs: Cultural mediators and Field coordinators

When it comes all other full-time paid positions, the pool of opportunities is truly great. Professionals can get involved in working with migrants and refugees in so many different capacities – as administrators, logisticians, teachers, human resources offices, medical staff etc. Depending on their mission and expertise, international organizations are need of some professionals more than others; for example, if you are medical worker, you should definitely stay well-informed about the work Medecins Sans Frontieres and Medicins du Monde do.

Yet, we have identified two positions that have become more prominent in the current migrant crisis than ever before: cultural mediators and field coordinators.

Cultural mediators

Every organization working with migrants employs several cultural mediators. These are professionals who speak some of the many languages of the migrants found on the Southeastern European route – from less commonly spoken languages such as Pashtu and Urdu, to more popular languages such as French. In addition to the role of an interpreter which is given to them, cultural mediators also have the task to bridge the two cultures – those of the migrant and of the hosting country – so it is preferable that they are well-acquainted with both. Cultural mediators have become invaluable in the migrant crisis because, without them, the basic and crucial services such as food, shelter, and health services would not fully reach those in need.

Field/Camp coordinators

Nearly all major international organizations have undertaken the task of opening shelters, camps or training centers for migrants traveling through Southeastern Europe, which means that they do a lot of field work. Expectedly, a lot of times, these organizations are looking for people with prior experience in the field, professionals who can coordinate volunteers and interns, deal with the logistics as well as advocacy, and be in charge of communication among different stakeholders, and a number of other tasks related to reporting and administration. Essentially, professionals who are not only good at multitasking, but also at coping with all the difficulties that come with everyday work in the field are extremely valued.

If you scroll down the vacancies offered by any major international organization working with migrants, you will almost certainly find at least one open Field or Camp Coordinator position.

There are many ways you can help

In conclusion, these are some of the main ways in which you can get involved and help the migrants currently passing or living in Southeastern Europe, but the list is not exhaustive. If you are ready to assist in one of the gravest humanitarian crises of our times, do explore the opportunities we have mentioned here regularly until you have found a perfect option for yourself.

Before you go, consider taking a free online course on humanitarian aid or refugee rights.

The post The migrant crisis in Southeastern Europe: How can you help? appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

While there is a sound international legal framework for human rights and freedoms, supported by most countries in the world, not all human rights documents can be translated in the exact same way across cultures. Many state officials have come together in an agreement on fundamental human freedoms and the composition of the documents which make these promises legally binding. Yet, these documents are not always written in consultation with local populations or local languages, which can create some confusion about what their provisions actually mean. So, when working with original human rights texts, most of which were written in English and/or French, it is essential to be particularly careful and understand any relevant local concepts that might influence the meaning of the texts.

Indeed, authors like Sally Engel Merry have previously argued that the only way to make human rights effective is to translate them and make them understandable to local populations and contexts. This is why all those who translate human rights content have another two tremendous tasks: bringing universal rights closer to the grassroots, and voicing local realities so that they can be comprehended by all.

We have identified five issues we should all be mindful of when translating human rights.

1.      Finding the right word with the right meaning

In general, translation and interpretation are very difficult tasks not only because perfect fluency in at least two languages is needed, but also because not every word in one language translates to a different language so easily. Oftentimes, you will encounter a word that will not automatically trigger another word that is the exact same equivalent in the other language.

In many cases, this will be because there are two or more words which have similar meaning, and ambiguous differences between them. Consider, for instance, the right to a fair trial. In English, there is a clear difference between “fairness” and “justice”. In other languages, however, these two notions might not translate into two evidently different words. What’s important is to do your research and understand what the closest equivalent to the word “fair” would be in this case, provided there are several options. This is the only way you can really ensure that the meaning of the right is translated right, as we comprehend it and stand by it in English.

That said, whenever you are struggling, you should consider the origin of the word, both in English and in the local language, and not simply resort to a more commonly used word. For example, it is interesting to note that the word “victim”, of great importance in the human rights language, actually in many Western languages is the same as the word “sacrifice”. Yet, it would be wrong to approach it in this manner in every language.  By knowing what your options are and what the etymology of the word suggests, you will on the right track to make certain everybody understands the concept the same way, even when the local word has a different origin than the original word.

2.      Staying gender neutral

Another thing to keep in mind is the ways in which the two languages you are working with differ when it comes to the grammatical gender. More precisely, English verbs and adjectives do not have distinct masculine and feminine forms – saying that he or she or it “does” or “has” something all use the same verb form. Nevertheless, many languages do not function like that, but instead change adjectives and certain verb forms depending on whether the subject noun is feminine, masculine or neutral.

The reason this is important when translating human rights content is because failing to acknowledge different grammatical genders can actually exclude an entire group of people from being entitled to protection. At the same, it can erase any gender sensitivity deliberately included in a clause by, for example, not recognizing the corresponding feminine form in the local language.

Learn more about Gender Equality and Inclusion!

Consider criminal justice, for instance, and the term “accused”. All persons accused of committing a crime are entitled to a certain set of rights. In English, “the accused” refers to men, women and any accused people of any other gender. But in Spanish, and so many other languages, the word “acusado” has a masculine form and can therefore be interpreted as referring only to men who are accused. In that case, it would be fair to always stress the feminine version of the adjective, which in this case would be “acusada”, by writing “accusado/a”.

Similarly, in English, too, certain expressions that were biased towards men only, such as “mankind”, have now been changed to “humankind” to include everyone else. So, while once provisions in legal documents began with “Every man”, they now start with “Every person” or “Everyone”. That said, you should also be particularly careful not to resort to a gender-biased translations that would single out one sex.

3.      Making sure the chosen word resonates with the law

For human rights content in particular, you always want to make sure that what you are saying corresponds with how domestic laws have been framed and what terminology they use. Even the simple word like “law” will have two different words and meanings in languages such as Russian, where prava (права) is the body of law (all law), but zakon (закон) is a law, or the law. In other words, although it is not wrong to say that law means prava in Russian, it would not make any legal sense to talk about a “prava” against domestic violence – yet, saying “prava cheloveka” for human rights does.

Other times, there might be two legally enforceable terms differing from one document to another. By way of example, the term “vulnerable”, used when talking about groups which are in particularly disadvantaged positions and require special care or attention, will in some languages like French be simply translated as “vulnérable”. However, in other languages, such as Serbian, this word will be translated as “endangered” (ugroženi) or “sensitive” (osetljivi) in different legal documents. Again, careful research is needed in order to know that the language you are using in your translations is a legally binding and enforceable language, and something that can be picked up by legal practitioners and policy-makers.

4.      Adopting cultural sensitivity

As we know, it is frequently hard to find common traditions and beliefs between different groups living in the same country, let alone among different countries around the world. Consequently, translations, too, require some cultural sensitivity. Universal rights apply equally to all, so being culturally sensitive in this case does not mean saying that some rights do not apply to some cultures because they live differently. On the contrary, it means knowing whether the concept that needs to be translated exists in this particular culture, and if so, how it is phrased.

For example, the right to a family life is well-established by now, so of course you will want to argue everyone has this right regardless of what their mother tongue is. But even though many languages might have adopted a more westernized word that resembles to “family” by now, local populations could be calling their blood relatives “kinship”, on generally referring to a much broader network of relatives as their family. This of course differs from the Western concept of a nuclear family, but it most definitely does not mean the right to a family life is diminished for these people. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights, in particular, has been careful to expand the notion of “family” and those could who depend on the family’s breadwinner in certain indigenous cultures, such as the Mam in Guatemala. Overall, it is advisable to know what the concepts you are translating encompass in local contexts to assume how what you are translating could be interpreted by the readers.

5.      Knowing that human rights can create new words

Finally, if you are struggling to find the right term for your translation, it might simply be the case that the term does not exist in this particular language. Yet, only because you cannot find the right term, it does not mean that the particular right or obligation you are translating does not apply to the people speaking this language.

A simple example would be the term “non-discrimination”. Coming from Western philosophical ideas of individualism, autonomy and equality, initially this concept was not easy to comprehend for individuals in many non-Western cultures. Yet, the right not to be discriminated has quickly transcended across the globe. Another more sensitive issue would be marital rape. Legally, marital rape is still acceptable and has not been outlawed in countries such as India. Being absent from the law often means that it is absent from the language, or that people find different terms to explain what is happening. But, even if there is no legal translation nor legal framework for it, this human rights violation should still be translated to local populations in the best possible way – because it is still a violation. Essentially, such an effort has a potential to create a new term for the violation in question, and to become legally enforceable in the future.

Because the state of human rights varies greatly around the world, translators should always try to learn how people are addressing a particular issue amongst themselves, even if their societies do not use the human rights language nor any legal means. After all, this is how we can push human rights forward in communities where the respect for them is lacking.

Translators sometimes need to be cultural mediators, too

We hope these tips show that translating human rights is a very difficult, yet important task. Because it is a crucial tool for making human rights more universal, translation requires translators to also be cultural mediators, bridging any gaps and misunderstandings that might exist between international and domestic frameworks. Meticulous work, one that is inclusive, corresponding to the legal realities at the domestic level, and aware of the potential to create new spaces for rights and freedoms, is the way human rights will go forward.

The post Five Issues to be Mindful of When Translating Human Rights Content appeared first on Human Rights Careers.

Starting a career in human rights takes a lot of courage. The work itself requires a genuine belief in humanity and is often emotionally difficult to cope with. At the same time, the international human rights job market is rather competitive, with an increasing number of extraordinary talented and qualified people becoming interested in humanitarian affairs and human rights. The job search might begin with enrolling at an university, but it certainly does not end with a diploma, at least not for most people. In order to decrease the feelings of despair among many current human rights students and recent graduates, we conducted several interviews with successful young professionals who work in a variety of sectors: international organizations, non-governmental organizations and academia. What binds all of them is the fact that they are all under 30, from non-EU countries and they are all women.

Here is what Thaís Penalber, a Reporting Associate (consultant) at the UNHCR in Geneva, Dora Bojanovska-Popovska, a PhD candidate at Central European University in Budapest working on freedom of religion, and Njomza Haxhibeqiri, a project coordinator at the Humanitarian Law Center in Kosovo have to say about education, challenges and motivation.

Choosing the right degree

Very few people study human rights at the Bachelor’s level and not many of those who currently work in the human rights field in different capacities are more narrowly educated in human rights. How decisive is the degree when it comes to carving one’s career path in the direction of human rights?

Thaís, who is the only one of the three who has a Master’s-level LLM degree specifically in Humanitarian Law and Human Rights from the Geneva Academy of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, says that writing her Bachelor’s thesis on Refugee Law under the general Bachelor of Laws (LLB) program “has prepared” her “for the current job”.

Dora, who has consistently pursued degrees in Constitutional Law, says that her studies at home and abroad prepared her immensely for the PhD program. “However, I do believe that a more diverse educational background can also be more of an asset than a disadvantage”, she adds.

Njomza, who holds a degree in Law, disagrees. She believes that public education in Kosovo remains rather weak, and that she had to build her skills in a non-formal way. In fact, she is now coordinating a project on non-formal education on dealing with the past, and works with students of different ages to fill in the gaps that exist in formal education.

While Thaís followed her interest in refugee law in all aspects of her professional life, Dora believes that her diverse work experience of being a legal advisor for the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights in Skopje, as well as in a financial consulting company in fact all equipped her with skills that she can now comfortably use in her PhD studies. “Every work experience has something to bring to the table in terms of professional growth”.

Challenges and obstacles

We wanted to know what these amazing young women think were the biggest challenges they faced as young professionals. While Dora applied for PhD positions two years in a row before being accepted, Thaís sent more than 70 applications during the four months before she became a consultant at the UNHCR, receiving only about four interview invitations. “Entry level positions usually require years of experience”, Thaís reminds us. Years of unpaid work as an intern and volunteer might not suffice for certain international organizations. To this, Dora adds, that “every interim position does not pay at all, or it pays poorly”. Besides the financial aspect, Njomza raises an important concern about not having one’s voice heard as a young professional. “One of the challenges is that sometimes you are not taken seriously even when you have a valid argument”, she adds.

What further complicates things is the fact that these young professionals are non-EU citizens. “As a non-European living in Switzerland, I felt that my chances of getting a job here were close to zero”, Thaís says, explaining how the Swiss law requires organizations to first consider Swiss applications, then EU applications, and only then non-EU applications as the last resort. While she admits that female young professionals “must fight twice as hard to prove they deserve to sit at the table”, Dora also agrees that being a non-EU citizen represents a bigger challenge. “At the end of the day, I think quality, excellence and competence should be the only bases of how we are valued, and if they are not, we should fight fiercely to stand up to that”, she suggests. Njomza, who works at the local level, says the biggest obstacles arise when young professionals from NGOs have to deal with public institutions. “They do not trust young people and young women in particular, especially when it comes to advocacy”. She explains public officials will often only accept invitations or requests from people whose names sound “famous”, which further complicates the work of young professionals who are just beginning to work in the non-governmental sector.

Decisive traits

What made Dora, Thaís and Njomza different from other candidates? Thaís says, for a consultancy in the United Nations, “personal connections” are crucial. This, however, does not mean that knowing the right people will suffice, but that academic and work experience will “nonetheless be assessed”. For academia, educational background and work experiences are key factors, yet “originality, quality and sustainability of the research idea” will also be decisive, Dora claims. On a similar note, Njomza believes that the fact that she had great interest in the very specific topics her NGO deals with and extensive “knowledge about dealing with the past process in the Balkans” got her the job and the opportunity to coordinate an entire project at such young age.

The work itself

Chatting with these three young professionals was also a great opportunity to find out what working at these positions actually feels like. Before becoming a consultant, Thaís worked as an intern for the UNHCR in the USA in 2015, where she was responsible for assessing asylum requests for the Central American region, and had to deal with some urgent cases of people facing deportation. “I was surprised with the impact that my work could have in the lives of so many people and for me that was very rewarding”, she says. Her current position in the Headquarters is more administrative and offers “a great opportunity to learn about the organization as a whole”, but also offers a myriad of networking opportunities. “I do miss working with real cases of refugee status determination”, Thaís concludes. Being involved in a PhD program is “a rather lonely journey”, Dora explains, that is why daily interactions with other PhD students are above valuable. Having volunteered prior to becoming a project coordinator, Njomza says there were no surprises regarding her responsibilities and duties at work. Yet, after two years of such work, she is in fact surprised by the amount of work NGOs do vis-à-vis public institutions. “If public institutions worked just a half of what NGOs do, Kosovo would be a better place”, Njomza concludes.

Motivation

To end on a positive note, we asked our three participants to elaborate on what motivates them to do what they do and what advice they might have for any young human rights professional who aspires to hold similar positions.

“Never think you know everything”, Njomza says in a very straightforward manner. It is important to keep in mind that there is always something new to learn so that “you can be more efficient at what you do”. For Thaís, passion in your specific field is the key, buttressed by concrete relevant experiences in your CV, including your thesis and research papers. “I am passionate about refugee law so my previous academic writings were always about that field, and I have also always pursued professional experiences that could give me practical knowledge in the area, even if it was volunteering”, she explains. For a PhD program, finding a proper mentor who is an expert in your field of interest is a priority. The easiest way to do that is by looking at their previous publications and their CVs. “The decision to focus on human rights in a PhD dissertation is extremely welcome in these uncertain times”, she concludes.

What has kept them engaged despite the above-mentioned obstacles? Thaís says, it is all about setting some higher goals. “Working at the UNHCR is a great way to learn the skills that I would need to pursue a career as a refugee rights advocate”, including having the opportunity to work with some world’s most experienced professionals in the area. The overarching motivation to protect refugees is the resilience they develop “in overcoming so many predicaments and leaving everything behind to rebuild their lives”. For Dora, it is the values she holds dear that she wishes to augment through academia. “Those are the ones that prompted an open, liberal society based on constitutionalism and human rights” that motivate her to continue her work.

If you are looking for motivation to push through your studies and/or job search, or courage to firmly decide that human rights will be your career path, Dora, Thaís and Njomza’s stories show that there is always a way forward, despite any challenge you might face. Hopefully their insights might prepare you a bit better for what is about to come and help you chose in what capacity you would like to contribute to the ever-growing and most effective network of young human rights professionals.

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