Apply to Become an Atlas Corps Fellow

http://www.atlascorps.org/apply.php

The Atlas Corps Fellowship is a 12-18 month professional fellowship offered three times a year for nonprofit leaders from around the world. Fellows serve full-time at Host Organizations located either in the United States or Latin America working on issues that complement their expertise. Fellows develop their leadership skills while sharing best practices and supplement daily knowledge with theoretical topics presented in the Atlas Corps Nonprofit Management Series. To become an Atlas Corps Fellow, please click on the appropriate "apply button" below:

Apply to Serve in the United States Apply to Serve in Latin America Apply for to serve as Think Tank LINKS Fellow in the United States

What is Atlas Corps?

Atlas Corps is an international network of nonprofit leaders and organizations that promotes innovation, cooperation, and solutions to address the world's 21st century challenges. Our mission is to address critical social issues by developing leaders, strengthening organizations, and promoting innovation through an overseas fellowship of skilled nonprofit professionals. Profiled as a "best practice" in international exchange by the Brookings Institution and featured in the Washington Post as a model social entrepreneurship program, Atlas Corps engages leaders committed to the nonprofit sector in 12 to 18 month, professional fellowships at organizations to learn best practices, build organizational capacity, and return home to create a network of global changemakers.

"The Atlas Corps Fellowship assisted me in growing both professionally and personally. The Fellowship allowed me to significantly understand cultures and values from all over the world, which has been very helpful for me to analyze a social problem from various perspectives. I encourage all social sector innovators and entrepreneurs to apply for this unique opportunity with the Atlas Corp Fellowship."

-Shamila Keyani (Pakistan, Class 4)

Google Policy Fellowship

 http://www.google.com/policyfellowship

Google are now accepting applications to the 2013 Google Policy Fellowship in Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America.

“It was a complete privilege to work with such smart, passionate and fun people; to be able to participate in important debates with several organizations, and to do research with full academic freedom. I am proud of being a Google Policy Fellow”
—Marcel Leonardi (EFF)

Program overview

The Google Policy Fellowship program was inspired by Google’s Summer of Code with a public policy twist. The Google Policy Fellowship program offers undergraduate, graduate, and law students interested in Internet and technology policy the opportunity to spend the summer contributing to the public dialogue on these issues, and exploring future academic and professional interests.
Fellows will have the opportunity to work at public interest organizations at the forefront of debates on broadband and access policy, content regulation, copyright and trademark reform, consumer privacy, open government, and more. More information about the host organizations and the areas of focus for the fellows are outlined here.
Fellows will be assigned a lead mentor at their host organizations, but will have the opportunity to work with several senior staff members over the course of the summer. Fellows will be expected to make substantive contributions to the work of their organization, including conducting policy research and analysis; drafting reports and analyses; attending government and industry meetings and conferences; and participating in other advocacy activities.

Who should apply?

We’re looking for students who are passionate about technology, and want to spend the summer diving headfirst into Internet policy. Students from all majors and degree programs who possess the following qualities are encouraged to apply:

• Demonstrated or stated commitment to Internet and technology policy
• Excellent academic record, professional/extracurricular/volunteer activities, subject matter expertise
• First-rate analytical, communications, research, and writing skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and efficiently, and to work smartly and resourcefully in a fast-paced environment

Fellows will receive a stipend of $7,500 for 10 weeks during the summer of 2013(June-August). Exact dates of the fellowship will be worked out by the fellow and host organization.

Apply to join and become a 2013 UK Global Poverty Ambassador!

Become a leading voice in your community

Do you have the passion, energy and drive to be a leader in your community on global issues?

Can you inspire others to take action and join the movement to end extreme poverty within a generation?

Apply to join become a 2013 UK Global Poverty Ambassador!

**Applications close 25 February 2013**

Since the beginning of 2010, we have been taking the story of progress to schools, conferences, communities and universities around the UK. It's an inspiring story and 2012 we searched for selected 150 leaders in their communities to be Global Poverty Ambassadors to tell this story in their communities.
Now, in 2013, we are looking for 150 leaders from across the UK to become Global Poverty Ambassadors.
As an ambassador you will be provided with high level training and exclusive opportunities to engage with some of the world's most prominent leaders in the fight against extreme poverty.
In 2012, the Global Poverty Ambassadors led campaigns to bring an end to Polio, change the face of aid in the Isle of Man, support the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and many more, whilst delivering the ground-breaking 1.4 Billion Reasons. 2013 Ambassadors will focus strongly on three key campaigning areas: food, transparency and gender equality.
In the next twelve months we will see unprecedented opportunities to reduce poverty - April’s Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi, the G8 in Northern Ireland and the announcement of the new Millennium Development Goals will shape the future of the world’s poorest people.
This is your chance to join with us and take a lead in the movement to end extreme poverty within a generation.
We are searching the country for two different types of Ambassadors;

• Presenters; Exceptional public speakers trained to deliver the ground-breaking 1.4 Billion Reasons presentation, and/or
• Campaigners; Specialising in mobilising your businesses, schools, univerisities, faith groups, communities, media and parliamentarians to take action

What we require from you is a 12-month commitment of about 10 hours a month in leading communities in the fight against extreme poverty all of course will be supported by the team at the Global Poverty Project and our partners.    All applicants must be over 16 and currently living in the UK.
All successful applicants will be brought to either London or Belfast for a mandatory full weekend training in March 2013 (Belfast 9-10 March, Manchester, 16-17 March & London, 23-24 March).
To find out more about the programme why not visit our Frequently Asked Questions Page.
Have a question? Email us at 2013ambassadors@globalpovertyproject.com

OMCT Regional Training in Asia: call for applications

 

OMCT COMPLAINTS TRAINING

Call for applications

                                                                       

PLACE: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

8 to 12 April  2013

The World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) cordially invites you to apply to its upcoming regional complaints training, which will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from to 8 to 12 April 2013.

The purpose of the workshop is to train jurists and lawyers working for or with human rights organisations in the Asia-Pacific region on how to prepare and effectively litigate individual complaints involving violations of the prohibition of torture and other forms of ill-treatment before the United Nations Treaty Bodies.

The Workshop will gather 15 participants for an inter-active 5-day litigation training session. Below follows some preliminary information on the training. Participants selected will receive a detailed programme in due course.

Aims of the training

The aim of the complaints training is primarily practical, namely to equip participants with the knowledge, skills and understanding that will enable them to prepare and successfully litigate cases involving violations of the prohibition of torture and other forms of ill-treatment before the Human Rights Committee and the Committee against Torture. To achieve this aim, the 5-day training will focus on a select number of issues which, in the OMCT's experience, pose particular challenges in the context of torture and ill-treatment, including: 1) admissibility rules and their application; 2) evidence and the "establishment of facts" and 3) the writing of effective pleadings. Recent trends in relevant international and regional jurisprudence will also be addressed.

Methodology of the training

The 5-day programme will involve presentations by experienced practitioners and OMCT staff members. The programme will also include interactive group discussions, case studies and skills-development exercises. The latter will focus primarily on the drafting of legal pleadings.

Training Materials

The trainings will primarily be based on Volume 4 of the OMCT Handbook Series: Seeking Remedies for Torture Victims: a Handbook for Victims and Their Advocates[1]. The book is a practical guide covering most of the topics, which will be addressed during the training. Specifically, it provides a step-by-step description of the practice, procedure and jurisprudence of the HCR, CAT and CEDAW. Participants will be expected to be familiar with the book. 

Selection of Participants

The training is intended for lawyers and jurists members or working for NGOs that have limited experience with the individual complaints procedures and who wish to add this type of action to their regular advocacy strategies.

Preference will be given to participants coming from countries that have accepted the competence of the Committee against Torture and/or the Human Rights Committee to receive individual communications through the ratification of the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights[2] or the declaration pursuant to article 22 of the Convention against Torture.[3] These countries notably include Cambodia, Republic of Korea, the Maldives, Nepal, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

OMCT will also seek the participation of jurists and lawyers working with or for NGOs who would be interested in jointly filing complaints with the OMCT Secretariat as a follow-up to the training. The number of participants is limited and OMCT will consider the registrations in the order they are received.

 Practical Information

OMCT will cover participants' travel expenses (return air fare to Kuala Lumpur), accommodation and daily subsistence during the training. OMCT will facilitate the obtaining of a visa for Malaysia through issuance of an official letter of invitation. The language of the training will be English. Participants are required to have a good knowledge of English, since there will be no interpretation.

To Register

Please send your curriculum vitae, a cover letter, a reference letter from the Head of the human rights organisation you represent/support and the attached registration form no later than 28 February 2013 to trainings@omct.org

The cover and reference letters should clearly demonstrate the commitment of the human rights organisation you support /represent to submit complaints to the Committee against Torture and/or the Human Rights Committee.

The application can also be sent by fax to +41 (0) 22 809 49 29 but must be received no later than February 28, 2013.

All documents must be attached ideally in PDF format. You are also required to send your application in a single message. Application sent in different messages will not be considered.

Sisterhood in Kibera and Kawangware

My mentorship project dubbed “Sisterhood” has recently expanded its focal point and is now in more schools and centers within Nairobi and its environs. Walking down this road has not been easy to say the least, but it has been unquestionably worthwhile. I am constantly amazed at how differently my world view is as to that of others. Our life experiences definitely have a lot to do with that, but this reality should neither make us vain or bitter, nor conceited or proud.

My most recent encounter has been with young teenagers and very young mothers living in Kibera and Kawangware both located in Nairobi. The negative publicity that is constantly aired in regard to these areas of course makes one skeptical and to a large degree scared of being in the area. It was a happy surprise to find very clean, orderly and respectable young ladies awaiting us. It would be a fallacy to say that no crime or violence indeed goes on in the area, but a lot of good is equally evident in the area too; and I am keen on focusing on the positive and eliminating the negative not the other way round.

In Kibera, my two mentees are both 18 years old and as any normal young lady, they are curious about boys and dating, freedom and making money to name but a few. Our coordinator Emma has appointed 11 Mentors to mentor 22 mentees in the area. This translates to 2 mentees per mentor and we all commit to have contact of at least two hours per week for the next 6 weeks with the girls. Last week was officially our first week of action and on our menu for the day for my team was on goal setting. The girls certainly had to get homework and I cannot wait to hear from them this Saturday how it felt to set their long term goals without any limitation and not withstanding their current situation.

Kawangware has a lovely football team; “Binti” comprised of 25 young ladies between the ages of 12-24.The coordinators of the project the Young Women Leadership Initiative-Kenya use football as an ice-breaker to engage the young ladies. It was a remarkable feeling just being with these girls especially when they shared the impact football and the mentorship project has influenced their lives and their relations with others in the community especially their parents. I have never been a football fan, but I assured the girls that I will be their self appointed cheerleader from now henceforth!!!Many of these girls are actually in the under 17 National football team…

If you preserve it, if you believe it, you can achieve it is the girls’ mantra and it is working!!!

 

My Crystal Ball.

 

Some of us need palm readers or fortune tellers to tell us what our future beholds. Others just think up their future and visualize it to the minutest detail. Whatever does it for you; we all work and hope towards a better tomorrow. I believe my tomorrow is better than my today and our yesterday. Here’s what I see in my crystal ball…

I feel peaceful within my own person and within my surroundings. I am at ease during election periods and do not fear my brethren from a different community or ethnic group. I am elated that the electorate vote in competent leaders based on their potential and credentials and not based on what their last name is! This is the future of real democracy.

I see an educated world that does not discriminate on race, gender, sex, age or creed. The future facilitates universal free primary school education to all equally. Education they say is the key to all success stories. Education I say is the commencement of understanding ourselves and others and how to live peacefully in this beautiful world. With this education we will undeniably accept that different is good. We will celebrate our different skin tones, shapes and sizes, different religions and cultures as opposed to forcing others to conform to our ‘correct’ standards. 

My future is filled with happy healthy well-nourished people. Good food is in abundance and droughts and famine are fiddles our grandmothers tell us to scare us when we are being naughty. Basic amenities such as food, clothing and shelter and clean water are available to all. Slums and shanties are things of the past. Everybody has access to a decent meal and a proper place to call home after a hard day’s work!

A very near tomorrow has no HIV/AIDS, malaria, cancer, to name but a few deadly diseases that cost us hundreds of lives prematurely. Medical breakthroughs will have resulted in vaccines and cures for most of these lethal maladies. No longer will we have alarming statistics of deaths that can be prevented and cured. The life span of ordinary healthy peoples will consequently increase meaning more productive years which is excellent for our economies to thrive in.

Most of all I see Africa depicted in its prime in the media. Free of disease, bad governance and poverty that have been synonymous with it. I see the cradle of mankind living to its full potential and a food basket to herself and others. I want an Africa that can enjoy her natural resources as much as those who exploit her do! I would love to see Africa and other third world countries being at equal bargaining power with other key players on the international arena.

In the scenes of tomorrow, you and I have embraced to the letter the late Nobel peace Prize Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai’s vision of conserving our environment. She meticulously noted that if we do not take care of our environment, our environment will not take care of us. Tomorrow we are taking these words to heart, we are planting more trees and felling fewer, reducing our gas emissions and are opting for greener and safer means to generate energy.

With clearer structures in place, the youth are not only seeking formal employment but understand the importance of innovation and setting up their own business empirors.With the world now a  global village new opportunities are emerging every day and these must be seized with zeal and passion that the youth all over are already demonstrating.

To get to this mirage of a tomorrow, current issues that today’s world face must be addressed with the urgency it deserves. Terrorism which aims at the destruction of Human Rights whilst attacking democracy the rule of law and the respect for humanity are at the fore burner of issues that need to be dealt with yesterday to get to the future we all envision and deserve. State must all unit to fight this battle and I am sure this battle can and will be won.

Creating the future we want starts at an individual level. What am I doing to make 2013 better for myself and the world? Individuals must take ownership of making a better world first so that when we hit the ground running together, we know we are all doing the mile.

States must continuously review their commitment to attaining the millennium development goals and other individual states objectives and visions.Continous assessment and reviewing of these targets is paramount to help stay on track.

With mist in my eyes while still straining to look through my crystal ball I see a peaceful beautiful green haven with blissful healthy diverse people of all walks of life living life and loving it!