Amnesty International USA
Reebok Human Rights
Summer Fellowship 2008
Deadline: 4 March 2008

“The Reebok Human Rights Fellowship offers students a unique opportunity to gain practical experience in the field of human rights alongside international human rights leaders. Participating fellows will have the opportunity to develop skills in human rights work with either an organization connected to a Reebok Human Rights Award winner or Amnesty International USA (AIUSA). Fellowships will be awarded to 8-12 outstanding students.

Students must be 18-25 year old students of any nationality attending school in the U.S. or U.S. citizens aged 18-25 studying abroad.

Fellowship projects typically last from four to six weeks during the months of June-August 2008.

AIUSA will cover the cost of air travel, accommodation and, for overseas fellowships, appropriate insurance up to a maximum of $2,500. Fellows will need to fund other costs incurred such as domestic travel, food and telephone calls.

Host organizations are based in the United States and abroad and include organizations which are connected to Reebok Human Rights Award winners and AIUSA. All organizations share AIUSA’s human rights goals. Successful applicants will be informed of the organization they will work for and its location by the end of April 2008.

Applicants have the opportunity to state whether they would participate in a fellowship posting overseas or a domestic fellowship posting.

The fellowship will not fund internships or projects students arrange for themselves.

Doing human rights work can occasionally be challenging, both physically and mentally, and may, in some circumstances, require fellows to perform their duties in difficult situations. Applicants must not only be in good health, but must also be able to work in such circumstances and be willing to accept the risks associated with them.

Fellows will not be posted to areas of countries where there are ongoing conflicts and fellows posted internationally will be helped with identifying suitable accommodation. AIUSA will assist all fellows with preparing for their fellowship so that they have a safe and rewarding experience.

Applicants can express a preference for the particular issue they would like to work on from the choices given on the application form. However, it is not guaranteed that successful applicants will be invited to work on their first choice human rights issue.

The fellowship will not fund internships or projects students arrange for themselves.

The projects fellows work on vary but all share a focus on promoting human rights. A typical project will include research and opportunities to develop activist skills. All of the host organizations have goals which are in line with AIUSA?s campaigns. Find out more about AIUSA’s campaigns to denounce torture, abolish the death penalty, stop violence against women, stop the violence in Darfur, release prisoners of conscience and secure economic, social and cultural rights for all.

In some instances more than one fellow will be posted to a host organization.

A panel of human rights experts will consider a variety of factors when reviewing applications, including:

* Relevant skills, knowledge and experience that applicants can offer to host organizations promoting human rights.
* Examples are the ability to work and effectively communicate in diverse settings, problem solving skills and the ability to cope with challenges and use initiative.
* It is recommended that applicants provide examples from their experience which demonstrate these competencies.
* A demonstrated commitment to human rights activism and upholding human rights.
* An imaginative and effective post fellowship human rights education project outline (see more below).
* Skills outlined in applicant’s resume including academic performance.
* References.

Reebok fellows will be required to share their fellowship experience through human rights education work during the semester following the fellowship. Applicants are asked to provide an outline of a creative human rights education project which they would like to organize at their schools, in their communities or online and explain why they believe it would persuade young people to respect, promote and defend human rights. Examples include speaking engagements, activities for students in school (e.g. middle and high school), publications and online activities. Find out more about AIUSA’s human rights education work at www.aiusa.org/education

Your reference letter should be written and signed by a teacher, professor or work supervisor (including the supervisor of relevant voluntary work). They should provide a recommendation detailing why you are a strong candidate for the fellowship.

Successful applicants are notified by the end of April 2008.

Students may download the application available at: www.aiusa.org/reebok

For more information, email reebok@aiusa.org

Or contact

Reebok Fellowship Coordinator
AIUSA National Student and Youth Program
600 Pennsylvania Ave, SE, 5th Floor
Washington, DC 20003

Telephone: 202/544-0200 x 526

In your request please include your name, address, phone number and e-mail address.”