Intern or Volunteer with a Grassroots Human Rights Organization in Argentina

  Argentina

• All Other Regions of Argentina: 
La Plata

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Trimester, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: See FSD Website

Description: How you can support Human Rights initiatives in Argentina:

* Give counsel to individuals whose rights were violated following judgments during the era of the dictatorship. Support legal action against ex-leaders with impunity.

* Provide legal counseling to vulnerable families whose children work in the streets and for people who've suffered intra-familial violence and sexual abuse.

* Offer workshops on human rights issues at schools; promote rights through community activities such as lectures and concerts; and/or participate in a weekly radio program discussing related issues.

* Develop content for an organization's newspaper, radio program and/or webpage to further the protection of human rights in the local region.

* Teach children and adolescents about citizen rights, the constitution, and principles of living in a democracy. Provide a forum for the students to express their ideas, opinions, and concerns related to pressing social issues.

* Assist programs that provide for the special needs of handicapped and underserved individuals. These include a national campaign for societal awareness regarding marginalization and disabilities. The campaign also assigns adapted wheelchairs and other needed articles that assist the daily lives of disabled persons.

For more human rights opportunities in Argentina, visit our website or contact us directly.

About FSD

The Foundation for Sustainable Development (FSD) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1995 to support underserved, international communities in a collaborative and sustainable manner. Our model incorporates three overlapping programs:

1. Sustainable Development Training Programs for Interns and Volunteers
FSD provides comprehensive training and immersion programs for interns and volunteers seeking hands-on experience in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Program participants come from countless professions and more than 300 universities worldwide to collaborate with our partner organizations on community-driven projects that reflect sustainable practices.

2. Grantmaking to Projects and Initiatives Led By Our Partner Organizations
Donations and grants given to FSD are used to support projects and initiatives implemented by our partner organizations, site teams, interns, and volunteers.

3. Sustainable Development of Community-Based Organizations
Our professional field staff, consultants, and program participants provide on-site technical training and capacity building to more than 200 community-based organizations.

Highlights: Development Issues Addressed by FSD in Argentina
The subject of human rights is without a doubt one of most important and debated topics in Argentina today. In 2006, Argentina will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the 1976 military coup which lasted until 1983. This seven year period saw an estimated 30,000 civilians 'disappear' and many thousands more subjected to atrocious human rights violations notably kidnap and torture. During the time that this all took place, few dared to speak out with the exception of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo. Until very recently this group held vigils to demand recognition of the crimes.

Currently, both the Argentine government is beginning to show sympathy for the human rights violations of the seventies and eighties. President Kirchner recently promised to bring the perpetrators to justice. In 2003 the congress rolled back measures taken in the late eighties and nineties by previous Argentine administrations to pardon former military officials that were guilty of human rights abuses during the dictatorship. In 2005 these were overturned by a Supreme Court ruling, opening the way to detention and prosecution of suspects. Until Argentina takes the steps necessary to put to justice those guilty of the kidnappings, tortures, and murders, it's people will not be able to heal the open wounds that they have been suffering from during the last thirty years.

FSD has many partner organizations that work directly towards the accountability and reconciliation of the human rights violations that took place during the dictatorship. It is an ideal place to observe and participate in the implementation of human rights law enforcement and reconciliation.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Depends on Program Selected; See FSD Website

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: FSD supports participants who boldly wish to initiate the change they believe is necessary in the developing world. Interns are passionate about sharing their practical knowledge, heart-felt enthusiasm, and economic resources with communities abroad that suffer unnecessary hardship. They wish to gain hands-on, grassroots development experience because they believe change is most powerfully cultivated on a community level. The aim is to experientially learn how their work can empower the community toward applying sustainable development solutions, rather than increasing reliance on foreign aid. Participants choose FSD because the program structure enables them to design and implement their own sustainable projects in collaboration with their host organization and the FSD Site Team. They are able to test their ideas and theories in the most direct way possible, giving them the experience and knowledge they seek. The flexibility of the host organizations allows for participants at all stages and levels of experience in international development to participate, thus opening the programs to a diverse group of capable applicants.

Age Range: 18-75

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Argentina Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 3-10

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

Foundation for Sustainable Development's Mission Statement: FSD supports the efforts of grassroots organizations in the developing world that are working to better their communities, environments, and the economic opportunities around them. We believe community development is only sustainable if it empowers the people to effectively use and cultivate their own resources in a conscious manner. Through our programs, we aim to raise international awareness of the economic challenges in developing countries and to support cross-cultural communities in finding more effective solutions to development issues.

Year Founded: 1995