The Student Task Force (“STF”) is a Human Rights Watch (“HRW”) sponsored youth leadership-training program that brings together high school students from all over Los Angeles and empowers them to advocate for the rights of children. HRW interns and STF teachers partner together to mentor students in leadership skills and activism, fostering confidence and maturity among students and enabling them to become effective voices for change and social justice within their communities. For more information on the Human Rights Watch Student Task Force, please visit www.hrwstf.org.
The STF internship offers a substantive learning opportunity for the selected student interns. Ideally, selected candidates will be available from mid-August 2019 until late-May 2020 for a minimum of 12 hours per week. Selected candidates should be available on Mondays from 10:00 am-11:00am for a STF team meeting which may be attended remotely, although in person is preferred. Ideally, interns should be available at least one other weekday (Monday-Thursday) during standard business hours.
Students will also have opportunities to attend lectures, trainings, professional development workshops, and/or special events relating to human rights, as well as network with other HRW interns, volunteers, and employees. As an HRW intern, students will take skills acquired in school and apply them in a professional setting.
- Creating and organizing advocacy opportunities for the STF campaigns that focus on children’s rights issues and human rights education;
- Liaising with local student leaders and faculty advisors;
- Researching and organizing human rights education resources and materials;
- Researching and implementing strategies and tools to equip students to be knowledgeable and effective human rights activists; and
- Contributing to some office-related tasks.
- The ideal STF intern should be well-organized, attentive to detail, self-motivated, and reliable, with a strong interest in children’s human rights and/or human rights education.
- Experience with advocacy and working with volunteers is highly desirable.
- Academic background in political science, international studies, or global studies is a plus.
- Computer skills (i.e. MS Word, MS Excel, and internet applications) are required.
- Experience with graphic design, web design, social media and online communication tools are preferred.
Internships are unpaid. However, students may be able to arrange academic credit, as Human Rights Watch internships often offer direct exposure to the workings of an international human rights organization, close supervision by HRW staff, and interaction with other US and international organizations. Students should check with their individual academic institutions for requirements.
Applicants should be able to provide their own transportation to get to and from the high schools (travel reimbursement will be provided for internship-related travel).