The Institute for Justice and
Reconciliation (IJR) is pleased to announce the convening of a three week
intensive Transitional Justice in Africa Fellowship Programme. Applicants from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo,
Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Somalia and Zimbabwe will be given preference.
We are now inviting qualified individuals to apply to this esteemed programme.
Background
to IJR
The Institute for Justice and
Reconciliation was established in 2000 in the wake of the South African Truth
and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to promote reconciliation, transitional
justice and democratic nation-building in Africa by means of research, analysis
and selective intervention. Located at the interface between civil society and
academia, it contributes to the building of fair, democratic and inclusive
societies in countries undergoing political transition including Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The Fellowship Programme will be
organised by and hosted within the Justice and Reconciliation in Africa
Programme (JRA) which is one of three IJR programmes. The other two programmes
are the Building an Inclusive Society Programme (BIS) and the Policy and
Analysis Programme (PA). The JRA works at three complimentary and mutually
supportive levels with African societies in transition, namely: engaged
research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political
intervention. The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice
and reconciliation, development and human security, as well as contributing to
the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war and oppression.
For
more information on the IJR and its’ work, please visit www.ijr.org.za.
The
Fellowship Programme
The IJR has been hosting Fellows from
countries in political transition in Africa since 2000. The programme was
designed to attract and bring together scholars and practitioners in the field
of transitional justice to compare, reflect, research and write about their
experiences and lessons learned from activities, projects and programmes in
their respective countries.
The Institute for Justice and
Reconciliation was established in 2000 in the wake of the South African Truth
and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to promote reconciliation, transitional
justice and democratic nation-building in Africa by means of research, analysis
and selective intervention. Located at the interface between civil society and
academia, it contributes to the building of fair, democratic and inclusive
societies in countries undergoing political transition including: Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
The Fellowship Programme will be
organised by and hosted within the Justice and Reconciliation in Africa
Programme (JRA) which is one of three IJR programmes. The other two programmes
are the Building an Inclusive Society Programme (BIS) and the Policy and
Analysis Programme (PA). The JRA works at three complimentary and mutually
supportive levels with African societies in transition, namely: engaged
research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political
intervention. The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice
and reconciliation, development and human security, as well as contributing to
the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war and oppression.
For more information on the IJR and
its’ work, please visit www.ijr.org.za.
The Fellowship Programme
The IJR has been hosting Fellows from
countries in political transition in Africa since 2000. The programme was
designed to attract and bring together scholars and practitioners in the field
of transitional justice to compare, reflect, research and write about their
experiences and lessons learned from activities, projects and programmes in
their respective countries.
A rigorous selection process will
ensure the targeting of mid-career professionals working with affected
communities in the field of transitional justice in sub-Saharan Africa and who
are in positions to influence policy processes and disseminate their Fellowship
Programme experience through practical activities when they return home.
Fellows will be appointed based on their positions as opinion leaders
and/or policy makers in their respective home countries and are required to
convincingly show their ability to develop initiatives and interventions in
their home countries to advance the transitional justice and reconciliation
agenda. In addition, they must submit an institutional endorsement of their
participation and commitment to implement at least one follow-up activity
in-country.
The programmes’ purpose is to enhance
participants’ skills and knowledge, with a particular focus on issues related
to the development of tools and processes aimed at furthering reconciliation
and social cohesion within the context of transitional justice.
Accordingly, the Fellowship Programme will engage with some of the key
literature, themes, and mechanisms and will supplement teachings with practical
experiences, interaction with local organisations working in related fields and
guided visits to historically significant sites and institutions dealing with
reconciliation and justice.
Elements of the Fellowship Programme
The Fellowship Programme aims to effectively
equip participants to address challenges specific to democratic transitions by
exposing them to various transitional justice tools. It encompasses the
following elements:
- Interactive presentations and dialogue sessions on transitional justice by leading practitioners and academics in the field
- Visits to relevant museums and memorials in Cape Town and Johannesburg
- Joint project development for in-country follow-up transitional justice programming
- A public debate on justice and reconciliation in Africa at IJR, featuring presentations by the fellows
- Diaspora dialogues (optional)
- Ample time to engage IJR staff, its work and its in-house library.
- Networking with relevant organisations, institutions and individuals.
It is hoped that participants will
deepen their familiarity with the growing field of transitional justice theory
and then apply this theoretical framework to the practical challenges currently
facing their respective country context.
Fellows’ are strongly encouraged to
document their reflections in the form of newspaper articles, policy briefs
and/or working papers during and after the fellowship.
The IJR will cover all travel and
accommodation costs for the duration of the fellowship and will provide a
modest stipend for daily expenses.
To read the quarterly Fellows Alumni
Network Newsletter as well as see a list of all IJR Fellows, visit
http://www.ijr.org.za/justice-and-reconciliation-in-africa-fellowship.php.
Elements of the Fellowship Programme
Application requirements
To be considered eligible for this
fellowship, you should meet the following criteria:
- A post-graduate degree in a discipline broadly related to Transitional Justice
- 4 to 5 years of relevant work experience in the realm of justice, reconciliation and/or social cohesion, social justice
- Good written and spoken English. This will be necessary to participate in group discussions.
If you are interested in applying for
admission to this programme, please submit to us the following documents in
English:
- A detailed resume or Curriculum Vitae of no more than 3 pages
- The full contact details of 2 contactable references
- A 1-2 page letter of motivation indicating why you wish to participate in this programme
- A 1-2 page writing sample (you may include news or academic articles you have submitted or published)
- A letter of institutional endorsement of your suitability to participate in the Fellowship Programme from your employer/affiliated institution.
The closing date for applications is
the 31st of July 2016. Telephonic interviews will be conducted in the
week commencing 8 August 2016 and successful candidates will be notified no
later than by the 15th of August 2016.
Only complete applications will
be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be notified of the status of
their application.
