Humanity in Action (HiA) is an international organization that brings
together European (Danish, Dutch, German and for the first time Central and Eastern European) and American students with an active interest in human and minority rights and the exchange of experiences in defending and enhancing them. The organization is devoted to the study and betterment of human rights and specifically the relationship between majority and minority populations. We invite applications from students with not only an eager interest in analysis and discussion but also in grass roots project work.
The summer program is designed to provide a starting point with regard to issues of human and minority rights. The three summer programs are run simultaneously in Berlin, Copenhagen, and
Amsterdam with a joint opening and closing session of all 68 fellows. Ten Americans and eight Central and Eastern European students are distributed among the three summer programs, with an additional ten German students in Berlin, ten Danes in Copenhagen and ten Dutch students in Amsterdam. The summer programs will be followed by a 10-day seminar in the United States at the end of September 2005, bringing together the Fellows from all European
participating countries (see schedule below).
During the Summer Programs in Amsterdam, Berlin and Copenhagen, the participants will be offered two weeks of lectures and site visits on the topic of how societies deal with their various minorities, e.g. religious, ethnic, etc. The focus will be historic as well as contemporary. For another two weeks, the Fellows are expected to work in teams on specific issues within the framework of the summer school (oral and written reports) and make substantial contributions to the success of the program. To get a detailed insight into the programs of recent years, see personal testimonials by Senior Fellows and read the papers of the Fellows, please check our website: www.humanityinaction.org.
HIA does NOT provide "how-to" training for human rights activists. It does provide input so that people's volunteer work and professional careers can be directed by a well-informed awareness of minority issues. Previous Fellows have used the knowledge and experiences gained on the HIA program in their community work, their further education and their career paths in government, the non-profit sector, media and the private sector.
For our program in June 2005 (June 3rd to July 6th 2005) we invite
university students from Belarus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Romania and Ukraine to submit their applications. You either need to be permanently based in one of these countries or hold its citizenship. Good active and passive command of English is mandatory.
Humanity in Action looks for students who are flexible, mature and
self-reliant. At the same time students need to be at ease with intense, constant group activities and interaction. Students in their first semester as well as post-graduates or Ph.D. candidates cannot be considered.
Participation of students from Central and Eastern Europe is made possible by support from the Stiftung Erinnerung, Verantwortung und Zukunft (www.zukunftsfonds.de). Costs and expenses for accommodation, food and travel will be covered.