The Pluralism Project at Harvard University
2011 Internships and Fellowships
Pluralism Project Internships
Thank you for your interest in internships at The Pluralism Project. We are currently in the process of determining the scope and direction of internship possibilities for summer 2012. Please check back soon for updates. To receive the most up-to-date information about The Pluralism Project, please sign up for our electronic mailing list and follow us on Twitter (@pluralismproj) and on Facebook.
Harvard Divinity School, Center for the Study of World Religions, Summer 2011 Dana McLean Greeley International Internship, Harvard Divinity School Students Only
“The Center for the Study of World Religions (CSWR) and Harvard Divinity School (HDS) are pleased to announce the availability of the Dana McLean Greeley International Internship for an HDS student interested in furthering interreligious understanding. The Greeley International Internship honors the Rev. Dana McLean Greeley, SB 1931, STB '33, who believed that people of all backgrounds and faiths are deeply connected to one another and should work together for positive social change. Applications for one summer internship will be accepted from HDS students who wish to intern with an organization outside of the United States that is dedicated to the promotion of interreligious understanding, peace, and social justice.” The Pluralism Project is a partner in this internship program.
For more information about possible international host organizations, please email abelair@hds.harvard.edu
Application deadline: February 1, 2011
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.hds.harvard.edu/cswr/grants/students.html
American Humanist Association Internships
“The American Humanist Association has internships available year-round for students, recent grads, and volunteers in Washington, DC. Interns will develop a more comprehensive understanding of how a progressive, national nonprofit organization works, while gaining valuable skills for the future.”
“An internship at the AHA will provide an opportunity to support the organization's current work: advancing Humanist values and progressive issue advocacy, focusing on church-state separation, civil liberties, reproductive freedom, human rights, and equality.”
“Internships are available in four areas: Communications and Advocacy, Editorial, Field, and Legal. Applicants should have a background or strong interest in one or more of the four areas. They should be enthusiastic, organized, self-motivated, and reliable, and have an interest in Humanism and progressive issues. Interns' work schedules can range from part-time to full-time. Modest stipends are available.”
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.americanhumanist.org/Who_We_Are/About_the_AHA/Internships
American Jewish Committee Goldman Fellowship
“The American Jewish Committee Goldman Fellowship Program is designed to develop future leaders in the areas of international and domestic politics, diplomacy, public relations, and management. This competitive Fellowship gives students the unique opportunity to work in offices throughout the world - from San Francisco to Geneva, Switzerland, and from New York to Melbourne, Australia.”
“Fellows work closely with supervisors in a mentor relationship to learn about strategy, advocacy, and the development and implementation of programming. Fellows may also spend part of their time developing an independent project with the AJC office to which they are assigned. Research and policy work span the range of AJC's interests - from international affairs and diplomacy to interethnic relations and non-profit management. Applicants are asked to select their preferred field(s) of interest from the following fields: Domestic and Legal Policy, International Policy and Diplomacy, Media Relations, Human Rights Advocacy, Global Jewish Affairs, Interreligious/Interethnic Relations, as well as any location preferences and AJC will seek to match requests with our needs. AJC Goldman Fellows receive $3,000 for the 9-week program plus major travel expenses.”
Application deadline: January 28, 2011
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.ajc.org/site/c.ijITI2PHKoG/b.1144809/k.31E9/AJC_Goldman_Fellowship_Program.htm
American Medical Association: Ethics Group Internship Program
“The Ethics Group recruits undergraduate and graduate student interns to work at the AMA Headquarters in Chicago on an ongoing basis for summer, fall, and winter/spring semesters. Internships are unpaid but participants will receive course credit for their work in accordance with the requirements of their academic program. Past interns have typically been law students, medical students, and undergraduates with an interest in bioethics, philosophy, religion, biology, or other life sciences.”
“Interns provide support for ongoing projects and initiatives in the Ethics Group. Interns are asked to conduct research on a wide variety of medical ethics issues which contribute to the formation of AMA ethics policy and other research projects related to the Code of Medical Ethics. Work may include researching legal, medical, or ethics literature and other resources; organizing and summarizing research material; and handling telephone inquiries or written correspondence. Interns also have the opportunity to attend faculty seminars and interact with a diverse range of professionals working in bioethics at a professional medical association.”
Application deadlines: summer internship: February; fall internship: mid July
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/medical-ethics/about-ethics-group/institute-ethics/internship-opportunities/ethics-group-internship-program.shtml
The Community of Living Traditions: Multi-faith Peace Internship
“Are you passionate about social justice? Interested in activism? Curious about other religious traditions? Muslim, Jewish or Christian? Ready to get your hands dirty - literally?
“Apply now to spend your summer with the Community of Living Traditions at the Stony Point Center. Join other young adults for eight weeks of building multi-faith community while farming, studying nonviolence and community organizing, exploring the roots of nonviolence within Islam, Judaism and Christianity, and deepening and sharing your spiritual practices. All participants will receive a $500 stipend for the summer, as well as free room and board. The Community of Living Traditions is a residential, multifaith community dedicated to the study and practice of nonviolence and activism.”
Application deadline: April 1, 2011
Retrieved March 2011 from this page.
Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries, Interfaith Youth Initiative (IFYI)
“Interfaith Youth Initiative (IFYI) is seeking applications from seminarians and graduate school mentors, and college interns for full-time staff positions at our dynamic eight-day exploration of peacemaking, vocation, interfaith dialogue, spirituality, service, urban immersion, and leadership training. IFYI focuses on 5 Core Values: Building Bridges, Training Leaders, Engaging Faith, Making Peace, and Serving Others.”
Call or email Alexander Levering Kern at 617-455-5323 or akern@coopmet.org for more information.
Hindu American Foundation
“The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) is a human rights group whose purpose is to provide a voice for the 2 million strong Hindu American community. HAF interacts with and educates government, media, think tanks, academia and public fora about Hinduism and issues of concern to Hindus locally and globally. Promoting the Hindu and American ideals of understanding, tolerance and pluralism, HAF stands strong against hate, discrimination, defamation and terror.”
A variety of internships and volunteer positions, including political, marketing, and report writer positions, are available.
No application deadline listed on website. For more information, email volunteer@hafsite.org
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.hinduamericanfoundation.org/about/volunteer_opportunities
Human Rights Campaign: Religion and Faith Program Internship
“As the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender political organization, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) is dedicated to ending discrimination, securing equal rights and protecting the health and safety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Americans. With a 100-person national staff and over 600,000 members throughout the country, HRC lobbies the federal government on LGBT legislative and regulatory matters, advocates before the courts as an amicus curiae, participates in the judicial nominations process, leads and/or actively works on national civil rights coalitions, educates the public, participates in elections, engages communities of faith in a meaningful dialogue on LGBT issues, and works at the grassroots level on civil rights and political matters of national importance.”
“The Human Rights Campaign Religion and Faith Program’s mission is to mobilize people of faith to advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality. HRC is standing alongside religious people who have been speaking out for LGBT equality. Our approach is twofold: (1) to amplify the voices of faith leaders who are willing to speak out for LGBT equality (2) to equip LGBT people of faith and our allies to use faith language in advocacy.”
“While HRC is a political organization, we offer internships in nearly all of our departments and programs,” from Communities and Volunteer Relations, Diversity, Political, Youth & Campus Outreach, Consumer Marketing, among others.
For more information, email intern@hrc.org
Rolling admission.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.hrc.org/intern
Institute for Women’s Policy Research
“The Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR) is a non-profit, scientific research organization that works primarily on issues related to equal opportunity and economic and social justice for women. IWPR works with policymakers, scholars, and advocacy groups around the country to conduct research, disseminate its findings, and build a network of individuals and organizations concerned with policy issues for women.”
For more information email IWPR Internship Coordinator at helmuth@iwpr.org.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.iwpr.org/About/employment.htm#internships
The Interfaith Alliance Intern Program
“The Interfaith Alliance is equally committed to protecting the integrity of both religion and democracy in America. We champion religious freedom by respecting individual rights, promoting policies that protect both religion and democracy and uniting diverse voices to challenge extremism and build common ground.”
“The Interfaith Alliance gives [interns] the unique opportunity to explore the various faith traditions represented in our diverse nation and to see first-hand the religious liberty at work. In addition, interns also work in a specific department, including development, program, or policy to learn about the specific rewards and challenges inherent in non-profit work. As full members of The Interfaith Alliance staff, interns are expected to contribute to the daily tasks and ongoing projects.” The Interfaith Alliance offers internships focused in the following areas: Communication, Development, and Field/Grassroots Organizing.
Application deadline: April 18, 2011
Retrieved January 2011 from http://interfaithalliance.org/about/jobs-and-internships/intern-opportunities
InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington
“Founded in 1978, the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington (IFC) was the first staffed organization in the world to bring together the Islamic, Jewish, Protestant and Roman Catholic faith communities for the purposes of dialogue and social action. The Baha’i, Hindu, Jain, Latter-day Saints, Sikh and Zoroastrian traditions have since joined. The IFC brings together people from different religions, economic levels and races to deepen understanding and respect for our diverse traditions and to collaborate on key issues of the day.”
“If you are interested in volunteering or interning, please contact Mark Hoelter at markh@ifcmw.org or 202-234-6300, x208 "
No application deadline listed on website.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.ifcmw.org/get_involved
Interfaith Worker Justice Summer Internship
“Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) calls upon our religious values in order to educate, organize, and mobilize the religious community in the U.S. on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers, especially low-wage workers.”
“The Interfaith Worker Justice Summer Internship is a 10-week program for undergraduate students who want to be active in the worker justice movement. Through hands-on experiences, interns advocate for the right of all people to be treated with dignity in their work. Interns are placed at interfaith committees or workers' centers across the country, where their responsibilities can include outreach to the religious community on labor issues, interviewing workers' and business leaders, participating in local and national campaigns, and working on public policy.”
For more information contact Keron Blair at keronblair@gmail.com.
Application deadline: March 15, 2011, with applications considered as space allows until April 15.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.iwj.org/index.cfm/iwj-summer-student-internships
Interfaith Worker Justice: Seminary Summer / Islamic Internship for Worker Justice
“Interfaith Worker Justice (IWJ) calls upon our religious values in order to educate, organize, and mobilize the religious community in the U.S. on issues and campaigns that will improve wages, benefits, and working conditions for workers, especially low-wage workers.”
“The Seminary Summer & Islamic Internship for Worker Justice is a 10-week paid internship for seminary, rabbinical, and Muslim graduate students combining education, action, and reflection. Participants are placed at labor unions around the country to support campaigns involving workers in low-wage jobs. Through hands-on experiences, interns help educate and mobilize the religious community to stand with workers on workplace issues. The internship will begin June 6 with a week of training and conclude August 13 after debrief sessions.”
For more information email Keron Blair at keronblair@gmail.com.
Application deadline: March 15, 2011, with applications considered as space allows until April 15.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.iwj.org/index.cfm/iwj-summer-student-internships
Interfaith Youth Core
“We seek interns committed to the vision of the Interfaith Youth Core who will promote religious pluralism around the country and the world. Interns must have a strong interest in interfaith relationship-building, community service, civic engagement and youth empowerment. We also seek individuals with excellent interpersonal skills excited to work in a culturally diverse environment.”
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.ifyc.org/programs/leadership/internships
The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) Internship Program
“ISNA is an association of Muslim organizations and individuals that provides a common platform for presenting Islam, supporting Muslim communities, developing educational, social and outreach programs and fostering good relations with other religious communities, and civic and service organizations.”
“Since 1995, ISNA has been offering internships to students across North America. ISNA continues to offer internship opportunities to Muslims studying diverse subjects from colleges and universities across the United States. …Available positions include Leadership Training and Conflict Resolution, Youth Program Development, Interfaith Relations and Community Outreach, Convention and Conference Planning, Membership and Affiliation Promotion, Fundraising and Endowment Building, and Management Information Systems.”
Application deadline: February 15, 2011
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.isna.net/events/Special-Announcement/ISNA-Internship-Program.aspx
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC) Internship
“MPAC interns are considered an integral component in fulfilling the goals of the organization. As a public policy institution, MPAC focuses on promoting positive and accurate public discourse and Islam and Muslims…Over the years, MPAC has built a reputation as a consistent and reliable resource for government and media, and is trusted by American Muslims as an authentic, experienced voice.”
Year-round opportunities are available.
For more information, email Director of Policy & Programming Edina Lekovic at edina@mpac.org or call (213) 383-3443.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.mpac.org/programs/young-leaders-development/internships-fellowships/internship-program-details.php
People for the American Way
“People For the American Way is a nationwide advocacy organization that mobilizes its members and activists to fight for public policies that reflect the values of freedom, fairness, and equal opportunity; to champion constitutional protections and civil rights; to hold public officials accountable to those standards; and to promote strong democratic institutions, including a federal judiciary that upholds individual rights.”
“People For the American Way and People For the American Way Foundation have a national office in Washington, D.C. and program staff who work in Florida and New York. We have a variety of staff positions, including field organizers, legislative and media representatives, internet strategists, research analysts, writers and administrative positions. Some are suitable for entry-level applicants. We also have internship opportunities for college students in several areas.”
Deadlines vary by internship.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.pfaw.org/about-us/employment-internship-and-volunteer-opportunities
Religions for Peace – USA
“Religions for Peace - USA gathers representatives of religious communities in the U.S.; promotes multi-religious cooperation for peace and justice; builds on the spiritual, human, and institutional resources of its communities; enhances mutual understanding; and acts for the common good.”
“Opportunities to volunteer at Religions for Peace-USA are available to New York City area students and others interested in international affairs, human rights, sustainable development, pluralism and diversity, non-profit management, communications, or religious studies. RFP-USA specifically engages in articulating religious diversity found in the US, and finding ways in which diverse religious communities can be involved in thoughtful and meaningful dialogue. While this may have an international aspect, we strive to examine how certain political and social issues manifest themselves in an American interreligious context. It is important to note that all field education and internship positions are unpaid; however, volunteer service at RFP-USA has many other rewards.”
Application deadline: April 15, 2011
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.rfpusa.org/join/internships.html
SALDEF (Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund)
“Founded as the Sikh Mediawatch and Resource Task Force (SMART) in 1996, SALDEF is the oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization in the country. We empower Sikh Americans through four program areas: legal assistance, educational outreach, legislative advocacy and media relations.”
“The SALDEF Internship Program offers Sikh American youth rare opportunities for political advocacy and leadership development. The program educates students on issues of civil rights, public policy, and the legislative process. Students will gain practical experience in community organizing, research and writing, legal issues, political action, and educational outreach.”
Application deadline is rolling.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.saldef.org/about-us/internships/
Sikh Coalition
“The Sikh Coalition is a community-based organization that defends civil rights and civil liberties in the United States, educates the broader community about Sikhs and diversity, promotes local community empowerment, and fosters civic engagement amongst Sikh Americans. The Coalition serves as a resource for all organizations and individuals as well as a point of contact for Sikh people.”
“The Sikh Coalition Internship Program allows students pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies to gain hands-on experience in promoting the civil and human rights of all individuals. Our Internship Program focuses on giving all interns the opportunity to be involved in projects that they can learn from and enjoy. With New York City's dynamic neighborhood Soho as a backdrop, interns will work to further the mission and vision of the Sikh Coalition by helping to achieve legal victories, as well as educating and empowering the community and contributing to the growth of the organization.” Internships are available in the following concentration areas: legal; community organizing; and marketing and operations.
Application deadline: January 21, 2011
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.sikhcoalition.org/InternshipProgram.asp
Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding: Internships
“The Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding is the leading organization providing practical programs so urgently needed to prevent the growing problem of verbal and physical conflict perpetrated in the name of religion. Our programs address unresolved and often unrecognized tensions in religiously-diverse workplaces, schools and in areas of armed conflict. We are a secular, non-sectarian, not-for-profit group working both nationally and internationally.”
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.tanenbaum.org/careers
U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom
“The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to monitor the status of freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief abroad, as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and related international instruments, and to give independent policy recommendations to the President, Secretary of State, and Congress.”
Application deadline: April 1, 2011
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.uscirf.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=326&Itemid=43
Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics, and Ritual (WATER)
“The Women’s Alliance for Theology, Ethics and Ritual (WATER) began in 1983 in response to the need for theological, ethical, and liturgical development for and by women. We are a feminist educational center, doing work locally, nationally and internationally organizing programs and projects, publications and workshops, counseling, spiritual direction and liturgical planning which help people actualize feminist religious values in the service of social change. WATER helps develop inclusive religious and social communities, and focuses feminist faith on bringing about social justice.”
“Interns engage in the full range of activities at WATER, from office work to program planning. They learn how a small non-profit is run and what it takes to nurture such an Alliance. Interns wishing to do their own research will have a chance to utilize WATER's constantly growing Resource Center as well as consult with our experienced staff through periodic in-house seminars. Interns must commit to a minimum of six weeks and can stay for as many as six months. Internships are unpaid. All participants are encouraged to apply for academic credit from their home institutions for their work at WATER.”
No application deadline listed on website.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.hers.com/~water/09files/programs/interns.html
Religions for Peace
“Religions for Peace is the largest international coalition of representatives from the world’s great religions dedicated to promoting peace. Respecting religious differences while celebrating our common humanity, Religions for Peace is active on every continent and in some of the most troubled areas of the world, creating multi-religious partnerships to confront our most dire issues: stopping war, ending poverty, and protecting the earth.”
“Religions for Peace is always looking for a number of motivated and dedicated interns to join our international headquarters in New York.”
Applications accepted on a rolling basis.
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.religionsforpeace.org/opportunities/employment
World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC)
The World Communion of Reformed Churches (WCRC) has an internship opportunity for a highly qualified person who would like to sharpen her/his skills in communicating a church and/or ecumenical organisation in the 21st Century. The internship will be for 18 months – 12 months in the WCRC offices in Geneva and 6 months in the intern’s home country. The Geneva portion will be from March 1, 2011 to February 29, 2012. The home country portion will be from March 1, 2012 to August 31, 2012.
This opportunity is open to young ministers, seminarians in the Senior years or Christian professionals with interest in working for their churches or the ecumenical movement at any level.
Prospective Interns should apply to the General Secretary of WCRC.
Please forward before a résumé and letter of motivation to:
The General Secretary
World Communion of Reformed Churches
PO Box 2100
150 route de Ferney
1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
Or by email to gs@wcrc.ch
The application should be endorsed by an authority in the intern’s church.
Application due: January 25, 2011
Retrived January 2011 from http://www.wcrc.ch/node/521
World Council of Churches Internships
“The World Council of Churches (WCC) is the broadest and most inclusive among the many organized expressions of the modern ecumenical movement, a movement whose goal is Christian unity.”
“Interns work in a WCC programme for a one-year period. During this time, they gain work experience in an ecumenical field and are given the tools to take this back to the local level.
The second emphasis of the internship programme is on ecumenical formation and community-building: as a group, the interns learn how to work in a multicultural and multiconfessional environment.
Each intern also develops an ecumenical project to be implemented back in their home contexts.
By providing young people with a rich international experience of community-building, team work and ecumenical learning, this activity strengthens both local churches and the ecumenical movement as a whole.”
Retrieved January 2011 from http://www.oikoumene.org/gr/programmes/the-wcc-and-the-ecumenical-movement-in-the-21st-century/youth-in-the-ecumenical-movement/internship-programme.html