Human rights Internship programmes are so important in boosting the important work of upholding human rights around the world. Whether it’s identifying potential human rights abuses or holding to account those who have already committed them, these programmes are critical to ensuring we don’t live in world where might is right and the strong dominate the weak.

With Which Organisations And Where Can I Take A Human Rights Internship?

Human rights Internship programmes are available all over the world, whether they are with big multilateral international organisations like the UN or if through a non-governmental organisation like Human Rights Watch or Amnesty International. It is usually advisable to build a speciality in a certain regional area and or in a particular thematic focus like human rights law or mine clearing for example.

Choosing a regional focus is entirely down to your personal interests and ambitions. If you already have experience, or a language which makes you particularly suitable for one area, pursue this further and concentrate your efforts on finding something in this region. If you are coming at this with no experience, consider what type of work you most enjoy and where it might be applicable in the future. There is lots of opportunity to take human rights internships in the Middle East, due to the plethora of international organisations which operate there.

Preparing Yourself For An Overseas Post

If you are lucky enough to be selected for human rights internship (bearing in mind how fiercely competitive this field is), your journey has only just begun. If you are going somewhere which is prone to exotic diseases like Africa or South East Asia, make sure you have taken all the necessary vaccinations and other health precautions.

Additionally if there are security difficulties in the place you wish to undertake the programme, you must read all the applicable safety information and travel advice before visiting. Make sure to pack appropriately, whether it is the right clothing for the environment and the culture or things for your own wellbeing like insect spray or medicine for anticipated illnesses.

Finally, you may want to consider learning a bit of the local language so that you can feel comfortable travelling alone in a new and unfamiliar environment (and avoid getting ripped off on transport costs!).

The Human Rights internship at Engage in Palestine

Engage in Palestine runs a Human Rights internship program in the West Bank, Palestine all year round (Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring) , which focuses on building links with the Palestinian community to develop direct and indirect action on Human Rights.

The Human rights Internship programme in the West Bank involves visiting courts and Palestinian refugee camps, speaking with lawyers and activists to develop a nuanced and sophisticated understanding of the Human Rights picture in Hebron (West Bank). Once you have learnt a little more about the local situation, you will run (or assist) Human Rights workshops for school and university students to help develop Human Rights awareness among young people.

Human Rights Summer Internship Program

For students and anyone looking for summer volunteer programs or internships in the field of human rights, legal practices, law and politics in the West Bank, Palestine, Israel or the Middle East, this human rights internship opportunity is perfect to gain experience and make a difference in participants’ lives as well as others. 

Impact On The Palestinian Community

The internship programme is so fulfilling as you get to see the impact you are making in the Palestinian community including Palestinian children, refugees, youth and community members in the West Bank, Palestine. If you are selected for this human rights programme, you will develop the skills needed to succeed in a career in Human Rights around the world.

Applicants who already have experience in law are especially appreciated, but everyone with an interest is welcome to apply. Should you be accepted, programme dates are flexible with the internship lasting from 1-13 weeks.

Furthermore, ​this internship program aims to make a long term difference to the local Palestinian community through the principle of “walking in each other’s shoes.” interning in the West Bank will not only leave an impression on your life, but also on the lives of Palestinian children, refugees and other members of the community.

Interns in the human rights program must meet the following criteria:

Required:

• Between 18 and 75 years
• Ability to communicate in English
• Willing to meet and interact with a diverse range of Palestinian people
• An eagerness to learn

Not required:

• Ability to speak Arabic
• Travel experience
• Teaching experience or equivalent educational degree
• Being a native speaker of English

What Do You Receive During Your Time In Palestine?

Interns in the Human Rights Program in the West Bank are entitled to many benefits which include:

• Three hours of Arabic lessons a week.

• Visit Palestinian refugee camps and organize activities for Palestinian children.

• Gain experience working with non-profits, humanitarian/ human rights law firms, NGOs, as well as other charitable organizations. 

• Visits to human rights organizations in Palestine.

• Meetings with human rights activists, workers, law teachers, students and NGOs.

• Exposure to daily life in Hebron, Palestinian culture and society.

• Accommodation with either a Palestinian host family or in our male apartment

• The opportunity to eat and enjoy local Palestinian foods and desserts.

• Palestinian cultural nights featuring entertainment and activities.

• Opportunities to visit unique tourist attractions with a particular native perspective, including Bethlehem, Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilyah, Jenin and the Dead Sea in Jericho.

• The ability to visit nearby cities as well as in those in Jordan including Akko, Herzliya, Beersheva, Eilat, Tiberias, Netanya, Safed, Haifa, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Masada, Amman, Aqaba, Wadi Rum and Nazareth.

• Well-qualified, attentive Arabic teachers, each with an excellent educational background, ready and happy to help you.

• A participant’s certificate upon completion.

The Current Situation In Palestine

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights’ (OHCHR) report released on the 5 March 2015 and relating to the period of 26 May 2013 to 31 October 2014, there was noted to be, “widespread violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.”

The general pervasiveness of military occupation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and East Jerusalem has meant that adherence to international law is limited, with the independent international NGO, Human Rights Watch, noting “severe and discriminatory restrictions on Palestinians’ human rights.” As part of the Human Rights Volunteer Internship Program and your meetings with local organizations, you will gain a better understanding of the state of human rights in Palestine.

Brief Information About The Human Rights

Based at Engage in Palestine in the city of Hebron, West Bank you will participate in many activities whilst visiting numerous human rights organizations such as the Temporary International Presence in Hebron, Human Rights Defenders, Youth Against the Settlements and Christian Peacemaker Teams Palestine, thereby offering you the ability to practice what you have learned.

Additionally, you will work cooperatively with organizations in Hebron and the surrounding areas to provide workshops to Palestinian students on the subject of human rights, therefore strengthening both your resume and your professional network. As part of these workshops, you will be encouraged to share a combination of what you have learned, your particular knowledge, and your personal experience.

• Community breakfast at the center each morning
• Accommodation
• Pre-departure and in-country support
• Arabic classes (3 hours a week)
• Certificate of completion
• Visits to different institutions in the city of Hebron, e.g. the old city, glass and ceramic factories, local companies, refugee camps, public parks and local universities such as the Palestine Polytechnic University and Hebron University
• Registration fee: 30$, payable at the time of registration.

Who Can Participate?

Our Human Rights Internship programs in the West Bank were developed for graduate and undergraduate students of Middle Eastern studies, Arabic studies, political sciences, professionals, employees of human rights organizations, scholars conducting case studies on Palestine and Israel, human aid workers, social workers, teachers, English native speakers, non-native speakers and anyone interested in engaging in the Palestinian culture and daily life

What Activities Can Be Organized When Interning?

In the Human Rights Internship program, there are many activities suitable for all levels that may be carried out during your stay, including:

• Educating Palestinian school and university students about basic rights
• Visiting UN buildings and relevant Human Rights NGO headquarters
• Visiting Palestinian refugee camps in and around Hebron.
• Writing articles on human rights, with a specific focus on Palestine and Gaza
• Studying International Human Rights laws
• Creating a catalog of NGOs and summarizing and assessing their impact on human rights violations throughout the world

And could involve:

• Collaborating with the journalism project students to release a short documentary
• Other activities (We strongly welcome your suggestions)

Human Rights in Palestine Program Schedule

You will be expected to work approximately 30 hours a week, from around 9am until 5pm and from Saturday to Thursday with two days off. One of your days off will be Friday and another day of your choice.

Every morning, international interns start the day with breakfast at the Excellence Center. Breakfast is shared with Palestinian teachers, volunteers from other programs and the directors of the center, offering you exposure to traditional Palestinian foods such as labneh and the opportunity to further practice your Arabic. From here, you will have the opportunity to go on sightseeing trips in Hebron that are coordinated by the Excellence Center alongside your program’s commitments. Evenings are typically free, although we will organize occasional optional activities as part of our commitment to showcasing Palestine’s culture.

In addition to your work on the Human Rights internship Program, you will also have your own Arabic class schedule and time to prepare lesson plans for the workshops that you oversee. This is alongside your free time, where you are welcome to undertake excursions to other cities.

Internship Program Reviews 

Since 2011, Engage in Palestine’s programs have welcomed individuals from 40 different countries. Whilst we continue to develop our programs to provide the best possible learning experience, the center’s fundamental mission has remained the same for the past 10 years : to connect, teach and advance individuals within the local and international community. In 2019 we received our first “Go Overseas” Community Choice Award, recognizing Engage in Palestine’s meaningful and unforgettable impact on international travelers. 

Engage in Palestine is renowned for its cultural immersion, friendly staff and atmosphere, and is committed to dispelling misconceptions about Palestine and Palestinians. If you are interested in the culture of Palestine and would like to visit the West Bank, take a look at our program reviews and testimonials to see if Engage in Palestine is the right organization for you:

• +500 reviews (94%) on gooverseas.com
• +100 reviews (96%) on goabroad.com
• Intern for the Human Rights video testimonials

Accommodation And Arabic Lessons

Engage in Palestine houses successful applicants with a Palestinian host family or else in an apartment with other interns. All internship programmes offer the opportunity to begin or continue learning Arabic, which is very valuable if you want to build up a focus on the Middle East and continue working in the region. Once you have completed the internship, you will receive a certificate of completion from the Center as well as ongoing support for your future plans (such as the provision of a reference).

Summary

The human rights internship in Palestine provided by the Center is a really good way to increase your credentials in the field of Human Rights working with established professionals in the field, but the most important thing about it is the chance to do real good and provide help for a community which you will soon feel embedded within.

Seeing the difference you can make and making new friends are the highlights for most of our interns. They find that not only do the locals provide ongoing updates as to the lasting impact of the interns’ work, they also help the former interns to continue their Arabic learning journey once they have left the Middle East.

How To Apply

If you are interested in participating in our Human Rights Program, please, write to us at Info@ecpalestine.org. We should be able to respond to your initial inquiry within 1 to 2 business days.

In the subject line of your email write “Human rights Internship programmes.” Upon responding we will attach an application form which you will fill out and return to us to begin the process.

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