In July 2005, members of the Class of 2006 began internships with non-governmental organizations in the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the United States. The six-month field experiences are part of the newly expanded M.A. program in peace studies. The organizations, and the students who work with them, are as follows:

Wi’am, in Bethlehem
Elizabeth Serafin of Mexico
Wi’am is a grassroots organization that advocates for peace. It teaches techniques that build relationships between local residents of diverse backgrounds. Current projects include conflict resolution, healing trauma, and service projects for youth.

Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information, in Jerusalem
Damon Lynch of New Zealand
The center was launched in 1998 to promote dialogue between civil societies in Israel and Palestine. Initiatives include peace education through programs in Jewish and Palestinian schools, environmental mediation, and research on public affairs that culminates in policy proposals.

Africa Peace Forum, Nairobi, Kenya
Isaac Lappia of Sierra Leone
The forum, with its staff of former diplomats, academicians, researchers and practitioners, seeks to contribute to sustainable peace and security in Africa, primarily in the Greater Horn. Projects include a study on the impact of livestock rustling in East Africa, and the sustainability of the Nairobi Declaration on Small Arms and Light Weapons.

Nairobi Peace Initiative, Nairobi, Kenya
Tom Arendshorst of the United States
NPI was founded in 1984 to address the underlying issues of the East African famine. It has broadened its mission, and serves as model and liaison to newer organizations in the region. Activities include peacebuilding in war-torn countries; organizing seminars at which workers of peace-centered organizations can exchange ideas; and publishing articles and monographs.

Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, Cape Town, South Africa Diana Batchelor of the United Kingdom
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation is committed to the promotion of sustainable reconciliation, transitional justice and democratic nation-building in South Africa and other African countries through research, analysis and targeted interventions. The IJR seeks to understand situations of conflict, while promoting viable ways of transcending these conflicts.

Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Parliamentary Liaison Office, Cape Town
Jonathan Smith of the United States
The liaison office was founded with a commitment to strengthening the voices of marginalized groups as they seek non-contentious participation in the public policy process. Interest areas include building democratic institutions, securing justice for the poor, protecting children and nurturing families, and strengthening peace and security.

Catholic Relief Services
In Cambodia, Burcu Munyas of Turkey; in Indonesia, Sana Farid of Pakistan; in the Philippines; Mwiti Mbuthia of Kenya
Founded in 1943 to assist the poor and disadvantaged, CRS is the official international relief and development agency of the U.S. Catholic community. It serves the poor in 94 countries through programs in emergency relief, HIV/AIDS, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.

Foundation for Human Rights Initiative, Kampala, Uganda
Mica Cayton of the Philippines
Founded in 1991, FHRI seeks to enhance the knowledge, respect and observance of human rights in Uganda. It undertakes research and advocacy work on issues of human rights, contributes to the body of literature on human rights, advocates for penal reform, and advocates for displaced persons.

Refugee Law Project, Kampala, Uganda
Sarah Park of the United States
At once an advocacy group, research institute, legal aid clinic, trainer and educational facility, the Refugee Law Project seeks to ensure fundamental human rights for Uganda’s refugees and internally displaced persons. Nearly 200,000 officially registered refugees now live in the country, which is located at the center of a region characterized by war and instability.

The Asia Society, New York City, USA
Min Xiaomao of China
The Asia Society is dedicated to strengthening relationships and deepening understanding among the peoples of Asia and the United States. As economics and cultures become more interconnected, the society’s programs have expanded beyond the cultural to address Asian-American issues, the effects of globalization, and social concerns such as human rights, women’s issues, the environment, and HIV/AIDS.

Refugee and Immigration Services, South Bend, Indiana, USA
Nicho Mambule Bibase of Uganda
Refugee and Immigration Services resettles refugees who have been forced to flee their countries to escape persecution. The goal of the organization is to aid refugees in achieving economic and cultural self-sufficiency. It also provides low-cost legal assistance to the immigrant and refugee community.

Carter Center, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Zamira Yusufjonova of Tajikistan
The Carter Center seeks to advance human rights and to alleviate suffering. The intern will be hosted at the Program in International Conflict Resolution, which monitors armed conflicts in an attempt to better understand their histories, the primary actors involved, disputed issues, and efforts being made to resolve them.

US-Ukraine Foundation, Washington D.C., USA
Taras Mazyar of the Ukraine
The U.S.-Ukraine Foundation was established in 1991 to facilitate democratic development, encourage free market reform, and enhance human rights in Ukraine. The foundation creates and sustains channels of communication between the United States and Ukraine for the purpose of building peace and prosperity through shared democratic values.

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