The future of human rights
Back row (L-R): Sandra Murray, Amanda Thompson, Alison Cole, Nabila Buhary, Tessa Daws, Kylie Pearce, Giselle Diego; Front row (L-R): Divya Roy, Elisabeth Howard, Jeremy Shelley, Manav Satija
With issues like the treatment of asylum seekers and the 'Occupy' movement proving the continued relevance of human rights to both public debate and policy in Australia, Monash University is helping to develop the human rights champions of the future.
A commitment to equality, social justice and human rights has seen 11 Monash Law students awarded Global Internships, which will see them take up positions with some of the world's leading human rights institutions and forums over the coming months.
The internships are awarded by the University’s Castan Centre for Human Rights Law to students studying law who have shown a strong and continuing interest in the study and practical application of human rights.
Marius Smith, Manager of the Castan Centre said the Global Internship Program was designed to cultivate the next generation of human rights leaders.
“The internships allow the students to gain valuable experience working with world's leading human rights institutions. It is a unique opportunity for them to experience and contribute to international human rights organisations first hand,” Mr Smith said.
“The standard of this year’s applicants was outstanding, making it a difficult decision for the selection committee to choose the final 11.
“Our successful interns are incredibly passionate and knowledgeable. Many of them have already volunteered with international organisations, at local community and refugee legal centres and at the Castan Centre itself.”
Having completed five years of a seven year double degree combining Law and Medicine, successful Global Intern Tessa Daws is excited to have secured an internship with the United National Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health as the organisation brings together her two passions – health and human rights.
“I am very interested in the concept of improving health outcomes by legal means, so am excited to be given this amazing opportunity,” Ms Daws said.
“There are very few opportunities to combine health and human rights so I hope to use the valuable experience I gain from my time at the Special Rapporteur as a stepping stone for my future career in the field.
“I look forward to learning about the health care system in India and further explore health issues, particularly for disadvantaged groups, on a more global scale.”
The successful students, who will take up their positions at the end of November, are:
- Nabila Buhary - Human Rights First, New York City;
- Alison Cole - Center for Constitutional Rights, New York City;
- Tessa Daws - United National Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health, Mumbai;
- Giselle Diego and Jeremy Shelley- International Criminal Law Services, The Hague;
- Elisabeth Howard - Plan International, Haiti;
- Sandra Murray and Divya Roy - Oxfam, South Africa;
- Kylie Pearce - Human Rights Advocacy Centre, Accra;
- Manav Satija - International Commission of Jurists, Geneva; and
- Amanda Thompson - International Women’s Rights Action Watch – Asia Pacific, Kuala Lumpur and Geneva.
Profiles of all the Global Interns can be found on the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law website.
The 2012 Castan Centre Global Interns are generously supported by Daniel and Danielle Besen, Sylvia & Michael Kantor, the Dara Foundation, the Nordia Foundation, the Finkel Foundation, the Monash Faculty of Law's Student Mobility Fund, the Monash University Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) and MyriaD Consultants, which conducts the pre-departure cross-cultural training.
Details about the 2013 Global Internship Program will be released in Semester 1, 2012.