Internship Module

NGOs and International Politics: Theory and Practice:
Our connections with NGOs working in peace-building, human rights and conflict resolution have allowed us to be at the forefront in in developing a new and innovative internship module. This module is assessed (10 ECTS) and will run from semester 2, 2013. The overarching theme of this module is to examine the relevance of NGOs to key international politics areas and to evaluate the role of NGOs in the light of academic literature and work placement experience. NGOs currently providing internships to our students are Frontline Defenders, Brussels and Dublin, AIFRI, Dublin, Debt Coalition of Ireland, Dublin, Healing Through Remembering, Belfast, Geneva Forum, Geneva, UN Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit, Geneva,  Churches Commission on Migration Issues, Brussels).

NB: Internships are un-paid and students must bear all associated costs (for example, travel, accommodation) of internships themselves.
Intake will be capped at 10 for this module and intake may be smaller depending on the number of NGOs participating each year.

Assessment
3000 word field report based on internship project and experience. This report will be based on students' fieldwork and will cover a specific pre-agreed project, as described above.

Student Testimonial

"I have thoroughly enjoyed my internship at Front Line Defenders, arranged by International Peace Studies, during my MPhil. Front Line is a fantastic organization that does vital work for the security and protection of Human Rights Defenders. Apart from this it is a very welcoming office with brilliant staff. I have particularly enjoyed it because I was not treated just as an intern but as a member of staff. All the projects I have worked on while being there have been been very interesting and I have at no time been expected to carryout menial tasks often associated with internships. 

I began my internship writing reports on some of the security grants from  2011 and 2012, this was part of a campaigns project to highlight the work of Front Line Defenders.

Secondly I did some work for the EU office updating the database on some of the EU advocacy work. 

Finally I started working in the events department. This included working on a project called Cycle for Protection, which was an advocacy and promotions cycle around Ireland. This took place alongside a national speakers tour. Speakers events took place in each cycle stop town with Front Line Executive Director Mary Lawlor and human rights defenders from Zimbabwe and the Russian Federation.

I am now working on 'Voices from the Front Line' a music and theatre and event at Vicar Street Theatre. I began by working on booking acts and have now been kept on as technical coordinator for the event."