Friday, February 29, 2008

Film Festival on campus THIS WEEKEND

ARTIVIST FILM FESTIVAL VISITS AMERICAN UNIVERSITY

"Exploring Global Issues & The Role of Authority"

Presented By SIS Graduate Student Council



Feb. 29 and March 1, 2008

Location: Ward, Open to all!



"ARTIVIST" is the 1st international film festival dedicated to addressing Human Rights, Children's Advocacy, Animal Rights and Environmental Preservation. WWW.ARTIVISTS.ORG

:: American University Program ::

Fri, Feb 29th - 7:00PM: Iraq: A Tale of Censorship ● Occupation 101

Iraq: A Tale of Censorship ● Director: Ryan Poland

Short Film: This film shares one Soldier's experience in Iraq and the media censorship that he saw … and was a part of.

Occupation 101 ● Director: Sufyan and Abdullah Omeish ● ARTIVIST AWARD WINNER

Feature Film: A comprehensive analysis of the facts and hidden truths surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.



Fri, Feb 29th - 9:00PM: American Drug War: The Last White Hope

AMERICAN DRUG WAR: THE LAST WHITE HOPE ● Director: Kevin Booth ● ARTIVIST AWARD WINNER

Feature Film: American Drug War shows how money, power and greed have corrupted not just dope fiends but the government.



Sat, Mar 1st - 6:00PM: Producing Just Garments ● Out of Balance:Exxonmobil's Impact on Climate Change

PRODUCING JUST GARMENTS ● Director: Javier Armas

Short Film: Watch as a factory becomes a worker owned cooperative, and struggles to survive financial crisis and anti-union repression

OUT OF BALANCE: EXXONMOBIL's impact on climate change ● Director: Tom Jackson ● ARTIVIST AWARD WINNER

Feature Film: Explore the disconnect between the scientists and media in presenting the end of the debate about climate change.



Sat, Mar 1st - 9:00PM: Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist ● Director: Peter Joseph ● ARTIVIST AWARD WINNER

Feature Film: "Zeitgeist" was created to inspire people to look at the world realize that things are often not what we think they are.




For more information please contact the Graduate Student Council at sisgsc@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Hayekian Insights on Economic Development: March 18, 2008

The Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity invites you to a Policy Forum

Hayekian Insights on Economic Development

Featuring
William Easterly
Professor of Economics, New York University

With comments by
Arvind Subramanian
Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics

Moderator
Ian Vásquez
Cato Institute

Economic success—among individuals, firms, products and countries—is often unexpected and unpredicted. William Easterly will draw on insights from Nobel laureate Friedrich Hayek to explain why prediction is difficult, success is rare and failure is common; the advantages of decentralized decision making to discover what works best in the market and in public policy; and the need to rely on dispersed and local knowledge, rather than government planning, for poor countries to achieve growth. Arvind Subramanian will draw on his experience working at multilateral institutions to comment on the relevance of Hayek’s insights to developing countries and the current foreign aid debate.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008
noon
(Luncheon to follow)

Cato Forums and luncheons are free of charge.
To register, visit www.cato.org, e-mail events@cato.org,
fax (202) 371-0841, or call (202) 789-5229 by 12:00 p.m., Monday, March 17.
News media inquiries only (no registrations), please call (202) 789-5200.
If you can’t make it to the Cato Institute, watch this Forum live online at www.cato.org.
Soon we will be sending invitations by e-mail only. If you are not already receiving these invitations via e-mail, please send your address to events@cato.org.

What to do about Climate Change: Feb. 29, 2008

February 29, 2008
What to Do about Climate Change
12:00 pm
Cato Capitol Hill Briefing
B-338 Rayburn House Office Building

Featuring Indur Goklany, author of The Improving State of the World and a new Cato study, “What to Do about Climate Change,” and delegate to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and Patrick J. Michaels, Senior Fellow in Environmental Studies, Cato Institute, and contributing author and reviewer of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Climate Change and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit: March 3, 2008

Climate Change and the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit
Monday, March 3, 2008, 2:00 pm — 3:30 pm

The Brookings Institution, Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave, NW, Washington, DC

As the international community continues to seek a sensible and a workable multilateral architecture for addressing climate change, the Japanese government has declared climate change a top priority as it prepares to host the G8 Summit in Hokkaido in July.

On March 3, the Brookings Institution will host the top Japanese and U.S. climate change advisors for a discussion on their governments' respective policy initiatives. The speakers will explore options for a new international framework on climate change and discuss the role of the Hokkaido Summit as a critical milestone in ongoing climate policy negotiations. Speakers include Mutsuyoshi Nishimura, special advisor to the Japanese Cabinet on Climate Change; James Connaughton, chairman, White House Council on Environmental Quality; and Warwick McKibbin, nonresident senior fellow, The Brookings Institution.

Vice President and Director of Foreign Policy Carlos Pascual will provide introductory remarks and moderate the panel discussion. After the program, the panelists will take audience questions.

Introduction and Moderator
Carlos Pascual Vice President and Director, Foreign Policy

The Brookings Institution Speakers
Mutsuyoshi Nishimura Special Advisor Cabinet on Climate Change, Japan
James Connaughton Chairman White House Council on Environmental Quality
Warwick McKibbin Nonresident Senior Fellow The Brookings Institution

To RSVP, please call the Brookings Office of Communications at 202.797.6105, or visit http://onlinepressroom.net/brookings/new

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Environmental Change and Human Impact: March 4, 2008

Please join the Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, in collaboration with the Embassy of Liechtenstein and the Environmental Change and Security Program, for a discussion of

Future Shock: How Environmental Change and Human Impact Are Changing the Global Map

featuring

P.H. Liotta
Executive Director, The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy, Salve Regina University “How Demographics and Migration Are Changing the Global Map”

Geoffrey D. Dabelko Director, Environmental Change and Security Program; Coordinator, Global Health Initiative, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars “Water ‘Wars’ or Water “Woes’?: Water Management As Conflict Management”

David Smith
Team Leader, UNDP-UNEP Poverty and Environment Initiative, Division of Regional Co-operation, UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Nairobi, Kenya "The Poverty and Environment Link: Examples from Africa”

Kent Butts
Director, National Security Issues Group, Center for Strategic Leadership, U.S. Army War College “Environmental Security and Military Implications”

Tuesday, March 4, 2008
10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
6th Floor Moynihan Board Room
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholar
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Please RSVP to pellcenter@salve.edu or 401-341-2927 with your name and affiliation.

This symposium on environmental change and human impact highlights substantive concerns and programs of great importance to The Pell Center for International Relations and Public Policy at Salve Regina University. With a focus on real-world strategic issues with global consequence, this session will consider how complex environmental issues affect human lives. Offering both strategic and policy implication perspectives, the speakers will analyze increasing vulnerabilities of populations in specific regions to environmental change as well as offer new approaches to solving these emerging dilemmas.

Dr. Geoffrey Dabelko, Dr. Kent Butts, and David Smith are all Pell Center international advisory board members and have worked with The Pell Center Executive Director in various capacities and on various projects involving the> environment and security.

Location: Woodrow Wilson Center at the Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW ("Federal Triangle" stop on Blue/Orange Line), 6th Floor Moynihan Board Room.

A map to the Center is available at www.wilsoncenter.org/directions. Note: Due to heightened security, entrance to the building will be restricted and photo identification is required. Please allow additional time to pass through security.

Monday, February 25, 2008

The Energy Independence and Security Act: Feb. 28, 2008

The Energy Independence and Security Act:
What Are the (Substantial) Environmental Implications?
What will the United States do with regard to CO2 regulation?

This is still up in the air, but this month, our speaker, John Shanahan, Senior Counsel for the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, will discuss the energy bill passed in December, as well as its environmental impacts. CAFE standards, advance bio-fuels, smart grid, and higher efficiency light bulbs could make a meaningful reduction in emissions, but how far will that take us towards the goals? Mr. Shanahan will assess the estimated changes in greenhouse emissions and how this will influence the widely anticipated climate floor debate that the Senate will hold later this year. He will also preview the themes, amendments, and positions taken by various sectors in the upcoming debate. Mr. Shanahan will also discuss important issues often overlooked in the public discourse and will handicap the most likely outcomes as this bill moves forward.

Thursday, February 28, 2008 from 8:00am - 9:30am
Farragut Center Bldg., 1725 Eye St., NW
Washington, DC 20006

About the Speaker: John Shanahan, Senior Counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public WorksJohn Shanahan leads the Committee Minority's efforts on air quality and emissions issues. In that capacity, Mr. Shanahan assists the Committee Minority Members in conducting oversight of EPA's Office of Air and Radiation. He is also lead staffer for the Committee Minority in all air quality and climate change related legislative initiatives. Since joining the Committee, he has been staff-lead for more than 50 hearings. Mr. Shanahan was featured by National Journal as one of the 109th Congress's 100 most influential staffers on Capitol Hill. Mr. Shanahan's diverse background includes private, public, and non-profit sector experience. He has spent the last 16 years in the field of environmental and energy policy. Shanahan's last position prior to joining the committee was with the National Mining Association, where he directed the association's legal, regulatory and policy efforts on air quality, particularly pertaining to coal-fired emissions. He has testified numerous times before federal and state legislatures. Mr. Shanahan also has done extensive public speaking and writing: among others, appearing on CNN, CSPAN and National Public Radio and publishing in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and the Chicago Tribune.

R.S.V.P today at www.icfi.com/litigation or call 1.703.934.3637

Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Americas: Feb. 25-29, 2008

The National Zoo’s Center for Conservation, Education and Sustainability (CCES), Environment Canada and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) in partnership with The Convention on Biological Diversity, The Inter American Institute for Climate Change, The International Union for Forestry Research Organizations and the Heinz Foundation present the International Science Symposium on

CLIMATE CHANGE AND BIODIVERSITY IN THE AMERICAS

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ActivitiesAndEvents/Lectures/STRI_climate_change.cfm

The focus of the Symposium is to provide a forum for leading scientists to present the results from research and monitoring activities relating to climate change and forest biodiversity throughout the Americas. The goal is to establish a co-operative science, research and monitoring network that links biodiversity conservation, sustainability, policy responses, and ecological adaptation to climate change. The CCES and Environment Canada will offer two short courses immediately after the Symposium on Forest Biodiversity Monitoring Plots, Tools for Measuring Forest Change, and Climate Change Modeling, respectively.

Venue: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama
Dates: 25-29 of February, 2008

For additional Information please visit www.climatechangeandbiodiversity.ca

For further information on this message contact Francisco Dallmeier, CCES at 202-633-4782 (Non-VoIP Users) x-34782 (VoIP Users) or dallmeierf@si.edu

Friday, February 22, 2008

Water Expert Talk: Feb. 28, 2008

Maude Barlow is one of the most important experts on water.

Join us THIS THURSDAY, February 28th, 7pm for An Evening with Council of Canadians National Chairperson and Water Rights Activist
Maude Barlow

Blue Covenant: The Global Water Crisis and the Coming Battle for the Right to Water Maude Barlow is the national chairperson of The Council of Canadians, Canada's largest citizens' advocacy organization with members and chapters across Canada. Maude Barlow is also the co-founder of the Blue Planet Project which works to stop commodification of the world's water. She serves on the boards of the International Forum on Globalization and Food and Water Watch and is a councilor with the Hamburg-based World Future Council. In addition to being nominated for the "1000 Women for the Nobel Peace Prize 2005" she is a recipient of the "2005/2006 Lannan Cultural Freedom Fellowship" and the "2005 Right Livelihood Award". She is the best selling author or co-author of 16 books, including Too Close For Comfort: Canada's Future Within Fortress North America; and Blue Gold: The Fight to Stop Corporate Theft of the World's Water (with Tony Clarke), now published in 47 countries.

This event is free.
Ward Circle Building, Room 1, American University's Main Campus in Tenleytown, NW. Sponsored by the Global Environmental Politics Program (SIS), Food & Water Watch's Take Back the Tap Campaign, and the Student Movement for Real Change.

directions at www.american.edu/maps
Contact Annie Weinberg, 202-683-2483, aweinberg@fwwatch.org for info and questions.

DC Environmental Film Festival: March 11-22, 2008

The DC Environmental Film Festival is coming up--March 11-22. It is a major environmental event in DC. Check out the schedule:

http://www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org/films.php?FilmID=111

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

CDM in Charts

The Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Japan, is pleased to announce that "CDM in Charts" is now upgraded to Ver. 5.0 reflecting the results of the EB37 in a timely manner.

"CDM in Charts" is a booklet with a good reputation for providing astraightforward and easy-to-understand description of the CDM.

To download: http://www.iges.or.jp/en/cdm/report.html

Contact: Yuji Mizuno,
Senior Expert / CDM Programme Leader
Climate Policy Project, IGES
cdm-info@iges.or.jp

For more information on IGES CDM Programme, please visit our website. http://www.iges.or.jp/en/cdm/

Greenpeace Organizing Term: Deadline March 7, 2008

Students,

I am writing to alert you about an exciting opportunity: the Greenpeace Organizing Term, which is an action-packed semester of travel and training.

It's a hands-on training program designed to give you the skills to be an environmental leader.
You'll learn about current environmental issues and solutions while being trained by experts in grassroots organizing, leadership, media, and campaign strategy.

You'll travel internationally with Greenpeace to work with activists abroad.

Also, you'll learn how to engage in peaceful direct action, climb, and drive Greenpeace boats

On top of all of that, many students are able to receive class credit for the semester.

ACTION * TRAVEL * TRAINING
Spend a Semester with Greenpeace http://www.greenpeace.org/got

Summer and Fall 2008 programs are filling up, and early applications are due March 7th.

Apply at http://www.greenpeace.org/got.

The semester is offered in the Washington D.C. and San Francisco Greenpeace offices.

Contact program staff with questions at got@wdc.greenpeace.org or 877-450-3517 ext. 320.

For a green and peaceful future,
Linda Capato
Greenpeace USA
Got@wdc.greenpeace.orghttp://www.greenpeace.org/got

Graduating soon? Exciting jobs for college grads to stop global warming! Apply today at: http://members.greenpeace.org/survey/start/41/

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

The Impact of Agriculture on Biodiversity: March 13, 2008

“The Impact of Agriculture on Biodiversity: Lessons and Lies from Kenya and Borneo.”
By: David S. Wilcove
Professor of ecology, evolutionary biology and public affairs, Princeton University.

Date: March 13th, 2008Time: 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. (lecture); 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (reception)
Admission: FREE
Where: World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street NW, Washington DC 20037

David S. Wilcove’s research focuses on the conservation of biodiversity and, in particular, the development of innovative approaches to protect endangered species, migratory species, and wilderness. He has undertaken a number of studies pertaining to imperiled wildlife and the U.S. Endangered Species Act and assessed efforts to preserve the endemic plants and animals of the Florida scrub ecosystem, among many others.

Prior to joining the faculty of Princeton University, Wilcove was senior ecologist at the Environmental Defense Fund in Washington, DC, where he developed science-based strategies to protect endangered species. He is the author of two books and numerous technical and popular articles in the fields of conservation biology, ornithology, and endangered species protection.

For the full announcement, click here.

Environmental Consultant Position Opening

Booz Allen Hamilton ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT EXCELLENT OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH AN ENVIRONMENTAL/ PROFESSIONAL CONSULTING CAREER

Booz Allen Hamilton is currently hiring entry level consultants to serve as regulatory analysts in a call center setting for a government contract concerning environmental regulations and programs. This position includes a comprehensive training program in the applicable regulations including Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, risk management planning, oil pollution prevention, the Superfund program, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the ENERGY STAR Program. The position offers an excellent opportunity to work directly with clients and experience multiple aspects of the consulting world.

The ideal candidate has an outstanding academic background including coursework in environmental science/environmental policy, chemistry, biology, or engineering; research experience; outstanding oral communication and writing skills; and an ability to quickly learn complex information. A BA or BS with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0) is required. The candidate should also possess at least six months of environmental and/or customer service work experience, including internships or volunteer work. Fluency in Spanish and/or experience with information management systems a plus.

EOE. Professional, friendly work environment; metro-accessible location. Send resumes to Robert Benedict at e-mail benedict_robert@bah.com.

Direct Action & Research Training Event: March 3, 2008

Representatives from the Direct Action & Research Training (DART) Center will be on the American campus on Monday, Mar 03 @ 5:30 pm in the Gianni Lounge -MGC 200 to discuss careers in the field of community organizing, and to schedule interviews with students interested in empowering their communities and working for social change.

Please RSVP if you are interested by contacting Sunil Joy at sunil@thedartcenter.org or calling 785.841.2680 with your name, phone # and email address.

DART is now accepting applications for the 2008 DART Organizers Institute, the paid, four-month field school for people interested in launching a career in community organizing.

Participants will undergo a combined classroom and field training covering such topics as:
· Entering a community · Identifying and training local leaders · Strategic planning and issue cutting · Relationship and community building · Direct Action on community issues · Fundraising

The DART Center, has built coalitions throughout the country that have won important victories on a broad set of justice issues including:
· Education reform in low-performing public schools · Job Training · Drugs and Violence · Criminal Recidivism · Living Wage · Neighborhood Revitalization, etc.

The DART Organizers Institute combines a 7-day classroom orientation with 15 weeks of infield training at a DART host organization. This is a paid training program that includes: a $6,500 living stipend, transportation to the classroom orientation and host city, and mileage reimbursement during the infield training. Room, board, and tuition will also be paid by DART during the 7-day classroom training. After>successful completion of the program, DART will work to place graduates into permanent full time salaried positions ranging from ($27-30,000/year for Associate Organizers and $30-34,000 for Lead Organizers). Graduates from the four month DART Organizers Institute have gone onto accept Executive Director and Associate Community Organizing positions> throughout the country.

The 7-day classroom orientation and 15 week infield training starts June 15, 2008 and runs through October 3, 2008. Training locations will include placements in several states around the country.

Although it may be helpful, no direct experience is necessary. Organizer Trainees (OTs) hired to participate in the DART Organizers Institute must demonstrate a desire to pursue community organizing as a long-term professional career. A master's degree or similar life experience is preferred though unnecessary. Candidates must have a college degree or be graduating prior to June 1, 2008. Also, candidates must display a workmanlike diligence, be driven to produce sustained results, have proven capacity to build relationships of trust, create and execute a plan, act professionally, feel comfortable working with religious institutions, be accountable and willing to hold others accountable, demonstrate disciplined thought and action, and work in a team setting. OTs must also have access to a car during their training and be flexible regarding relocation. Fluency in Spanish/English is a plus and people of color are encouraged to apply.

To find out more about DART or to apply, we encourage you to send your> resume to: Sunil Joy, DART Network, 820 New York Street Lawrence, KS 66044 or by email: sunil@thedartcenter.org. If you have any questions, please call: (785) 841-2680. Also, you can download applications or view profiles from previous OTs at the DART website: www.thedartcenter.org.

Wildfires "man vs. wild" : March 5, 2008

Wildfires: Private Landowners, Nature, and Public Policy

Forest wildfires imperil the public, damage property, and blacken hundreds of thousands of acres each year. Our panelists will consider management of and responses to wildfires, from the perspectives of private landholders and federal, state, and local decisionmakers.

Among issues to be explored: How should policymakers balance "man versus wild"? How should fire protection be provided, while at the same time acknowledging the role of some fires as part of a natural ecological cycle? What are the differences in the responsibilities of federal, state, and local policymakers? What is the appropriate mix of prevention and suppression activities? What is the role played by private landowners, whose actions affect a common fire risk? And finally, who should bear the financial cost of preventing and suppressing wildfires and providing compensation for fire-related property damage?

Who:
Moderator: Roger Sedjo, Senior Fellow, Resources for the Future
Panelists: Arun S. Malik, Associate Professor of Economics, George Washington University Robert H. Nelson, Professor of Environmental Policy, School of Public Policy, University of MarylandRoss Gorte, Specialist in Natural Resources Policy, Congressional Research Service

What: First Wednesday Seminar

When: Wednesday, March 5, 12:45 - 2 p.m.
A light buffet lunch will be available at 12:30 p.m.

Where: Resources for the Future, 1616 P Street NW, Washington, DC
First Floor Conference Center

Please RSVP by sending your contact details in an email to rffseminars@rff.org.

At RFF's monthly First Wednesday Seminar Series, scholars and experts exchange ideas and views with the RFF community on important energy, environmental, and natural resource topics.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Local Natural Resource Governance: Feb. 28, 2008

Please join the Environmental Change and Security Program for a discussion of :

The Power of Local Natural Resource Governance in Conflict Contexts
featuring

Kent Glenzer, Director of Program Impact, Knowledge, and Learning, CARE USA; Research Associate, Center for the Study of Public Scholarship, Emory University

Masego Madzwamuse, Country Programme Coordinator, World Conservation Union (IUCN) Botswana

Thursday, February 28, 2008
12:00 noon – 2:00 p.m.
5th Floor Conference Room
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Webcast live at www.wilsoncenter.org.

Please RSVP to ecsp@wilsoncenter.org with your name and affiliation.

Recent field work has shown that natural resource-based governance structures such as community forest user groups and wildlife conservancies can not only improve sustainable ecosystem management and livelihoods, but also provide stability during violent conflict and offer a basis for improved governance, especially at the local level.

This event will explore how natural resource management (NRM) and conservation interventions can contribute to conflict prevention and mitigation. Presentations will analyze what has and has not worked in the past; how NRM and conservation programs can be designed and implemented to best leverage their potential governance benefits; and how to demonstrate that NRM interventions indeed contribute to improved governance.

Kent Glenzer of CARE will present the Strengthened Actions for Governance in Utilization of Natural Resources (SAGUN) project in Nepal. He will be joined via telephone by SAGUN Program Director Maksha Maharjan. Masego Madzwamuse of the World Conservation Union (IUCN) will describe the Community-Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) Support Programme in Botswana. A third speaker will provide an overview of the issues, including a look at how the theory and practice have changed over time.

This is the second event in ECSP’s “New Horizons at the Nexus of Conflict, Natural Resources, and Health” series, which examines new thinking and research at the intersection of these areas. This series is funded jointly by USAID’s Office of Natural Resources Management, its Office of Population and Reproductive Health, and its Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation, with technical support from USAID’s Asia and Near East and Africa bureaus. For more information on this series, please visit www.wilsoncenter.org/newhorizons.

If you are interested, but unable to attend the event, please tune into the live or archived webcast at www.wilsoncenter.org. The webcast will begin approximately 10 minutes after the posted meeting time. You will need Windows Media Player to watch the webcast. To download the free player, visit: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download.

Location: Woodrow Wilson Center at the Ronald Reagan Building: 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., NW ("Federal Triangle" stop on Blue/Orange Line), 5th Floor Conference Room. A map to the Center is available at www.wilsoncenter.org/directions. Note: Due to heightened security, entrance to the building will be restricted and photo identification is required. Please allow additional time to pass through security.

Kyoto's Civil Society Critics: Feb. 22, 2008

The Center for Democracy and Civil Society at Georgetown University Presents
Kyoto's Civil Society Critics: The Debate over Market Solutions to Climate Change
Patrick Bond

Director of the Centre for Civil Society Durban, South Africa

Friday, February 22
10:30 am - 12 pm
Mortara Center
36th and N Streets, NW

Please RSVP to mhb26@georgetown.edu

Patrick Bond is a political economist with long standing research interests and NGO work in urban communities and with global justice movements in several countries. He teaches political economy and eco-social policy at SDS, directs the Centre for Civil Society and is involved in research on economic justice, energy and water. In service to the new South African government, Patrick authored/edited more than a dozen policy papers from 1994-2002, including the Reconstruction and Development Programme and the RDP White Paper, and he taught at the University of the Witwatersr and Graduate School of Public and Development Management from 1997-2004. Patrick currently also serves as an adjunct professor at York University Department of Political Science, Canada and visiting professor at Gyeongsang National University Institute of Social Sciences, South Korea and the Stellenbosch University Sustainability Institute. He is an external examiner at the University of Mauritius, and was also visiting professor in 2004 at the Africa University Institute for Peace, Leadership and Governance, Zimbabwe; in 2005 at the Central European University Summer School on Transnational Flows, Structures, Agents and the Idea of Development, Hungary; and in 2006 at Chulalongkorn University's Focus on the Global South Course on Globalisation and Civil Society, Thailand.

For more information on the Georgetown University Center for Democracy and Civil Society please visit http://cdacs.georgetown.edu

Friday, February 15, 2008

SustainAbility internship: Deadline Feb. 28, 2008

Sustain Ability internship
www.sustainability.com
Summer Associate – Washington, DC
About Sustain Ability
Established in 1987, SustainAbility advises clients on the risks and opportunities associated with corporate responsibility and sustainable development. Working at the interface between market forces and societal expectations, we seek solutions to social and environmental challenges that deliver long term value. We understand business and what society expects of it.

With offices in Europe and the United States and team members representing more than ten nationalities, we work with leading companies, NGOs and influencers around the world. Our mission and rules of engagement put a challenging frame around our client work, helping ensure tangible progress. A global network of experts and partners helps us to track emerging agendas, evaluate the market implications and engage business and its main stakeholders worldwide.
SustainAbility believes that diversity adds value to our business. We hire team members who reflect the rich array of diverse cultures, ideologies, and values that are part of the broad global workforce. SustainAbility does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious beliefs, gender, age, national origin, sexual orientation, citizenship status, marital status, political beliefs/affiliation, disability, or social or cultural background.

Internship Overview
As a hybrid think tank and consultancy, our research and client work have a symbiotic relationship. Our client work informs our research (e.g., unearthing questions that are in need of exploration), and our research informs our client work (e.g., bringing cutting edge thinking to our clients). This relationship is a key point of differentiation from other consultancies, and allows us to explore critical corporate responsibility and sustainability issues (e.g., What is the business case for sustainability in emerging economies? How might corporations engage social entrepreneurs? What’s next for the SRI field?). Our entrepreneurial approach to business encourages continuous creation. Over the last two decades this has resulted in the development of numerous powerful tools and frameworks used by our clients and many others to assess, analyze, challenge and re-think. These tools and frameworks have not been sufficiently leveraged internally; consequently we have valuable, untapped intellectual capital that could be more effectively employed to help us better serve our clients and society (see, for example, our “gearbox” framework here and here).

Our summer associate will be responsible for capturing the latent value of our existing tools and frameworks. Primary responsibilities will include: - Reviewing SustainAbility’s past research and client work to identify and compile tools and frameworks - Engaging SustainAbility consultants and possibly clients to select the tools and frameworks that are most valuable (and needed) - Analyzing and refining the most promising tools and frameworks. - Providing recommendations on how to improve these tools and frameworks. - Designing a process for institutionalizing such tools and frameworks, incorporating how consultants can utilize them most effectively - Assisting in the creation of a knowledge framework around SustainAbility’s research products, with emphasis on identification, classification, and re-use - Assisting in the creation of an evolving Research and Knowledge Management Infrastructure - Presenting results of the work to SustainAbility’s CEO and leadership team In addition to the above responsibilities, it is likely that the intern will be involved in other projects during the summer, including client projects, research and other internal improvement initiatives.

Key Requirements
The successful candidate will be enrolled in an MBA or other relevant graduate degree program, and: – Have a solid understanding of the sustainability / corporate responsibility agenda, including coursework, internships or work experience – Have a passion for sustainability issues and for effecting change in organizations – Have experience working with corporations, either in-house or as a consultant – Are proven self-starters who can manage projects in an entrepreneurial setting – Have experience in managing projects to deadlines – Possess strong analytical and communications skills – Demonstrate a strong commitment to quality – Will be comfortable in a small and dynamic office environment This position will be located in Washington, DC.

Contact and Deadline
Please submit a cover letter and resume to washington@sustainability.com by February 28, 2008. Interviews will be conducted in early March.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet - Art Design Deadline March 1, 2008

"Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet" is an innovative project that uses the medium of public art to inspire individuals and organizations to take action against global warming.

Cool Globes was developed in 2006 by environmental activist and concerned mother of four, Wendy Abrams.

Cool Globes is a partnership between the non-profit, government and public sectors of society to increase awareness about and provide individuals and organizations with potential solutions that they can implement in their day-to-day lives and business operations to help combat global warming.
http://www.coolglobes.com/aboutcg.htm
http://www.coolglobes.com/globes_gallery2.htm

March 1, 2008 • Deadline to submit individual artist’s design

Public Art Exhibit
United States Botanic Garden
Washington D.C.
May 24 – October 13, 2008

Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Info Session Feb. 20, 2008

See the World Differently

Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Info Session Wednesday, February 20, 2008 5:00- 6:00 PM, MGC 200

The goal of Freeman Awards for Study in Asia is to increase the number of U.S. undergraduates who study in East and Southeast Asia, by providing them with financial assistance. To apply for this scholarship you need to have a FASFA that demonstrates some financial need. You can receive up to $3,000 for the summer, $5,000 per semester, or $7,000 for the academic year on this scholarship.

Elizabeth Light will be the presenter. She spent a semester abroad studying at Beijing University through the AU Abroad Enclave Program as a Freeman-ASIA Scholar.

RSVP http://eagleeye.american.edu/careercenter/details.cfm?event_ID=4015

UN Summer Program: Deadline May 1, 2008

The United Nations Intensive Summer Study Program will be offered from Monday, July 21 to Friday, July 25, 2008, by the John C. Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University and theUnited Nations Association of the USA.

Designed for advanced undergraduateand graduate students, this unique program immerses participants in thepolitical dynamics of the United Nations.

Students will attend official sessions at United Nations headquarters as well as briefings at UNA-USA. Directed by Dr. Courtney Smith, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at the Whitehead School, and offered incooperation with UNA-USA, the course is designed to familiarize students with the inner workings of the United Nations by bringing them togetherwith distinguished practitioners working in the field of multilateral diplomacy. The program is structured around a series of seminars led byU.N. officials and representatives of governments and civil society on awide range of global issues currently on the U.N. agenda.

Logistics:
Participants can expect to be immersed in activities 12 hours a day for the full week of the program. Each day commences with breakfast at Seton Hall, followed by a chartered bus to the U.N. Program sessions continue throughout the day at U.N. plaza, with dinners provided on campus in the evenings. Students will also have time for cultural activities in New YorkCity. On-campus single rooms with an adjoining bath are available from July 20th to July 26th. Participants may also choose to commute to SetonHall for the duration of the program.

Requirements:
The program offers two enrollment options: credit and non-credit. Successful completion of either option results in a certificate from the Whitehead School of Diplomacy. In addition, the credit option allows students to earn three semester credit hours from Seton Hall University.
Prior to the beginning of the course, participants will be responsible for preliminary course readings and a short paper. All sessions of the program are mandatory and students are required to actively participate in dialogue and discussion with guest speakers and peers.
Students attending for credit must also keep a journal documenting their reactions to the briefings and submit a research paper one month after the program ends. Graduate students will complete extra readings and anadditional writing assignment.

Tuition & Fees:
1. Credit Option: a. Undergraduate: $2300 b. Graduate: $2400 Both include expected tuition fee for three credits plus a non-refundable deposit covering transportation between campus and the U.N., most meals, U.N. tour, and briefing materials.

2. Noncredit Option: $1000 Includes a non-refundable deposit covering transportation between campus and the U.N., most meals, U.N. tour, and briefing materials.

3. Optional Housing: $400 Six nights included. Sunday to Saturday.

How to Apply:
The application materials can be downloaded from the Whitehead School of Diplomacy website (diplomacy.shu.edu) under the link for UN Connections. For additional information, contact Dr. Courtney Smith at (973) 313-6203 orsmithcou@shu.edu. The application deadline is May 1, 2008. Students willbe notified of their status by May 15, 2008.

SIS Summer Abroad: India : info session Feb. 22, 2008

Get a rare glimpse into the politics, policies, and people of India.

SIS Summer Abroad: India as an Emerging Great Power Seminar, site visits, independent studies, and more!

Open to Graduate and Advanced Undergraduate Students Scholarships available for SIS graduate students.

May 18 – June 4
INFO SESSION WITH PROF. SHARON WEINER And free Indian treats!
Friday, February 22
5:15 pm
MGC 247

Visit the program website at: http://www.american.edu/sis/sisabroad/summer/india.html

Contact rbellinger@american.edu with any questions.

River Action Day Internships: March-June 2008

American Rivers seeks two River Action Day Interns to assist the Government Affairs and Outreach department in organizing River Action Day. River Action Day is an opportunity for river activists from around the country to come to Washington DC to discuss their local river issues with their Members of Congress. These positions are based in Washington DC.

About American Rivers: American Rivers is the only national non-profit conservation organization standing up for healthy rivers so communities can thrive. The organization is based in Washington, D.C., with offices in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Washington. For an overview of the organization, please visit www.AmericanRivers.org.

JOB SUMMARY: The Government Affairs and Outreach department seeks two interns to work with our staff to plan and execute our River Action Day (RAD) event on June 16-18. The ideal candidate is one who wants to increase his or her general knowledge of environmental issues, develop strong project management and grassroots communications skills, gain lobbying experience by taking part in a national advocacy event, and work in a positive, professional, and collaborative environment. Dates of internship: March 2008 through June 2008.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
¨ Recruit participants for RAD;
¨ Assist participants in arranging their trip to Washington DC;
¨ Assist in planning lobby training;
¨ Procure materials for use on RAD
¨ Prepare training and lobbying materials;
¨ Request and schedule meetings for RAD participants with their Members of Congress;
¨ Assist in planning and execution of gala event celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act and the 35th Anniversary of American Rivers on June 19th.

QUALIFICATIONS:
¨ Possession or anticipated completion of a degree in public policy or natural resources;
¨ Superior written and oral communication skills;
¨ Creative and strategic thinking;
¨ Ability to work independently;
¨ Ability to perform multiple tasks effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced environment;
¨ Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office products including Word, Excel, and Access.

TIME COMMITMENT AND PAY: American Rivers’ internships are 25 hours per week and are unpaid.

Applications should include a resume, references, and cover letter addressed to: Eileen Fretz, Government Affairs Assistant; Attn: Intern Search; American Rivers; 1101 14th st. NW, Suite 1400; Washington, DC 20005; Email: efretz@americanrivers.org.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Environmental Talks and Congressional Hearings: Feb. 13 and 14, 2008

Wednesday, February 13

"The 2008 Presidential Election & The Environment"
When: 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Where: WCL 6th Floor Student Lounge

Please join us for a presentation by special guest, John Passacantando, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA. Mr. Passacantando will discuss the implications of this year's election on U.S. Environmental policy and his organization's strategies to make climate change a key issue. Empanadas will be served. Interested on where the 2008 Presidential Candidates stand on climate and energy issues? Visit http://www.grist.org/candidate_chart_08.html?source=weekly.

"Emerging and Expanding Ocean Uses: Scientific and Regulatory Uncertainty"
When: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Where: Environmental Law Institute, 2000 L Street, NW Suite 620

As we look to the oceans to sequester carbon, provide alternative energy, and as a place to expand existing activities, questions about ocean ecosystem impacts and the legal and regulatory framework under which one can operate abound. The chemical and biological ramifications of emerging and expanding technologies could be enormous, and the regulatory landscape under which such approaches would operate is not altogether clear. For example, three competing authorities may complicate alternative energy development and regulation: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 gives Minerals Management Service the authority to lease offshore for alternative energy development. The Federal Power Act gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority over hydropower. This means that in federal waters, both MMS and FERC have some claim over regulation of wave, current, and tidal energy. States have authority under the Coastal Zone Management Act to ensure that federal agency actions are consistent with the enforceable policies of their coastal zones. What does this mean for new uses? What precedent is there for state authority over federal energy actions in federal waters? Who regulates emerging uses on the high seas?

CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS

Thursday, February 14
10:00am
Senate Environment and Public Works Committee: S.1499 to amend the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution from marine vessels
Where: Dirksen Building Room 406

10:00am
Senate Finance Committee: "International Aspects of a Carbon Cap and Trade Program"
Where: Dirksen Building Room 215

2:00pm - 3:30 pm
"Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: Reviewing FY 2009 Budget Request and Key Tax Incentives"
Where: 1334 Longworth House Office Building

Job with the Fund for Public Interest Research: March 20, 2008

**Fall 2008 Job Opportunities Making Social Change**

We're looking for smart, socially conscious students who work well in a team and are eager to make a real impact on some of the most critical issues facing our society.

The Fund for Public Interest Research (aka "the Fund") helps some of the top progressive organizations in the country to fight global warming, promote wind & solar power, protect human rights, and challenge corporate political power. And we're hiring!

Specifically, we're hiring CanvassDirectors to run our grassroots campaign offices across the country next fall -- working on behalf of groups like the Sierra Club, the State Environment Groups (e.g. Environment America & Environment Maryland), and the Human Rights Campaign.

We are looking for smart, motivated students who want to get their hands dirty and make a real impact on some of the most critical issues facing our society.

On Wednesday, March 20th, I'll be conducting individual interviews. You can sign for interviews through the Career Services Website (Look for jobs posted by The Fund for Public Interest Research for Canvass Director).

Visit our website at www.fundcareers.org, or contact me for more information – 224-623-1491, breynolds@ffpir.org.

I'm looking forward to speaking with you more about our positions!
_____________________________
Rebecca Reynolds
Citizen Outreach Director
The Fund for Public Interest Research

Job with DAI's Agriculture and Natural Resources Group

DAI’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Group is seeking a well-organized, self-motivated individual to serve as Project Associate for several overseas projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Associate will report to the Group Business Manager. The ideal candidate will be able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment. The Associate will help project managers support overseas development projects.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support up to five overseas or Washington-based development projects;
• Serve as headquarters point-of-contact for administrative issues for overseas project managers (Chiefs of Party);
• Coordinate provision of services from headquarters support offices (Finance, Contracts, and Human Resources);
• Work with home office Technical Backstop to monitor and facilitate compliance of contract actions (reports, contract modifications, extensions, add-ons);
• Develop project activity budgets, subcontractor budgets, and project pipelines;
• Troubleshoot contract billing issues and review monthly client invoices;
• Recruit, mobilize, and demobilize short-term consultants and long-term project staff;
• Assist in tracking project expenditures and profitability through Oracle;
• Make travel arrangements, process travel vouchers, and audit subcontractor invoices;
• Process internal DAI project administrative backstopping documents (independent consultant agreements, travel vouchers, check requests, etc.);
• Assist in project start-up and close-down as assigned;
• Assist in technical research for proposals or projects;
• Troubleshoot problems and propose creative solutions to project management problems; and
• Other duties as assigned; some international travel may be required.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of one year of administrative experience in a professional services environment, with relevant USAID project administration experience preferred;
• Demonstrated ability to develop and monitor activity budgets;
• Excellent administrative and organizational skills;
• A team player who can work independently and with minimal guidance, but who also excels at consulting and coordinating with the project management team;
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks under tight deadlines;
• Keen attention to detail;
• Ability to provide effective follow-up on individual activities in a fast-paced, multitasking environment;
• Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills;
• International experience desirable;
• B.A./B.S. degree required;
• Fluency in foreign language, Spanish or French preferred; and
• Working knowledge of MSWord, Excel, and Lotus Notes database software.

Level of responsibility and salary commensurate with background and experience. Interested candidates should send resume and cover letter to: Brendan_mcgurk@dai.com.

Future of Coral Reefs: Feb. 20, 2008

Date: Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Location: Koshland Science Museum
Time: 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free with museum admission ($5/$3 for students)
Age Range: 13+

Coral reefs – sometimes called the rainforests of the ocean – are dying around the world, and their disappearance threatens not only the incredibly diverse ecosystem that depends on them, but also human health and welfare.

During this interactive panel discussion, moderated by Chad Cohen, explore reasons for the problem and examine potential solutions. Kiho Kim will discuss how fungal disease affects Caribbean sea fan corals. Ove Hoegh-Guldberg will discuss climate change and ocean acidification, and Tundi Agardy will explore the impact of humans on coral.

Kiho Kim, Ph.D. is the director of the environmental studies program and a biology professor at American University, where his research focuses on the role of diseases in coral reefs. He has conducted research on marine disease at NOAA’s National Undersea Research Center, the National Science Foundation, and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. He is a member of the Ocean Studies Board of the National Research Council.

Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Ph.D. is chair of marine studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where he studies the impact of climate change on coral reefs. He is the founder and past director of the Coral Reef Research Institute at Sydney University. He is the recipient of the Eureka Prize for scientific research and the American Natural History Museum’s Lerner-Grey research award. Dr. Hoegh- Guldberg serves as a regular contributor for a number of Australian newspapers and television and radio stations.

Tundi Agardy, Ph.D. is the founder and executive director of Sound Seas, Bethesda, MD, which works to promote effective marine conservation through science and sociology and serves as an interface
between public policy and community-based conservation efforts. She has worked for Conservation International, the World Wildlife Fund, and the World Bank. She currently serves as a member of a committee examining international capacity and sustainability for the Ocean Studies Board of the National Research Council.

Chad Cohen is a producer and writer for National Geographic Television and a correspondent for PBS’ NOVA scienceNOW. He has a Masters in Science and Environmental Reporting from New York University and was a journalist-fellow with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.

Event Link:
http://www.koshland-science-museum.org/events/upcomingevent.jsp?id=287

Environmental Filmmaking: Tuesdays

AU’s Center for Environmental Filmmaking
And Filmmakers for Conservation
Present the 3rd Annual Spring Film Series

All events are held in the Wechsler Theater at 7 pm on Tuesdays, except where indicated
3rd floor, Mary Graydon Center, American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20016

All events are FREE except for the two IMAX films at the Smithsonian

How PETA Uses Film and Stars to Promote Its Cause
Dan Mathews, PETA
Tuesday, February 12 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater
PETA has long used undercover video to document cruelty to animals in slaughterhouses, laboratories, fur farms and circuses. But who wants to watch that stuff? By enlisting personalities as diverse as Pam Anderson, Trent Reznor and Martha Stewart to host gruesome video shorts and carefully marketing them on the web, Dan Mathews will reveal how PETA is reaching millions worldwide.

From Viral Videos to Creative Campaigns: Environmental Activism and New Media
McArthur, Free Range Studios
Tuesday, February 26 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater
Free Range Studios is the creative genius behind viral videos The Meatrix and Grocery Store Wars, and a leader in social action communications. From websites and campaigns to print media and strategic planning, McArthur will present some of Free Range’s productions and will explain the creative process behind viral marketing.

Conservation Entertainment
David Mizejewski, Animal Planet and the National Wildlife Federation
Tuesday, March 4 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater
The world of entertainment can be a great tool for conservation -- but only if you play by a certain set of rules. Join Animal Planet host David Mizejewski as he shares his experience adapting conservation messages for television and radio, and exposes some of the challenges and common pitfalls of the passionate environmentalist.

NOTE: ALL EVENTS BETWEEN MARCH 11-21 ARE PART OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL

Scarred Lands and Wounded Lives: The Environmental Footprint of War
Directed and produced by Alice and Lincoln Day and VideoTakes, Inc.
Tuesday, March 11 at 7 pm at the Carnegie Institution

THE ALPS (AN IMAX FILM)
Tickets required
Wednesday, March 12 at 7 pm in the National Museum of Natural History, Johnson IMAX Theater (10th and Constitution)

Lunch for filmmakers attending the Environmental Film Festival
Hosted by Chris Palmer and Pat Aufderheide.
By invitation only. Sponsored by CEF and CSM
Monday, March 17 at noon in the Mary Graydon Center at AU

Student Environmental Short Film Festival
Hosted by Chris Palmer and Philippe Cousteau.
Panel discussion at 7 pm followed by screenings of the winning films at 8pm.
Tuesday, March 18 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater

World Premiere of American Prairie Reserve
Produced by VideoTakes, Inc. Discussion with CEF Associate Producers Sandy Cannon-Brown (Producer) and Larry Engel (Director), and representatives of the American Prairie Foundation.
Wednesday, March 19 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater (and again at 8:30 pm)

GRAND CANYON ADVENTURE: RIVER AT RISK (AN IMAX FILM)
Introduced by Executive Producer Chris Palmer. Tickets required.
Thursday, March 20 at 7 pm in the National Museum of Natural History, Johnson IMAX Theater (10th and Constitution)

Discussion with the Filmmaker
Visiting filmmaker/lecturer, Liz Miller, will discuss her latest film, The Water Front, with Professor Pat Aufderheide.
Thursday, March 20 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater

Battle to Save the Tiger
Film and panel discussion with experts on tiger conservation
Friday, March 21 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater

New Ways to Produce and Distribute Non-fiction Films
Steve Michelson, Lobitos Creek Ranch
Tuesday, March 25 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater
Steve Michelson will explain how to harness the power of social responsibility and community networking to produce and distribute films.

Environmental Truth is Easily Marketed
Brent Blackwelder and Josh Hilgart, Friends of the Earth
Tuesday, April 1 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater
Friends of the Earth, which for years has enjoyed an inside-the-beltway reputation for "telling it like it is," has shown in the last year that this approach resonates with a core component of the general public.

A Natural Obsession
Keenan Smart, National Geographic’s Natural History Unit
Tuesday, April 8 at 7 pm in the Wechsler Theater
Keenan Smart will talk about his career in wildlife filmmaking and will showcase film clips from over 30 years of filming nature in many of the world’s wildest places.


For more information, please call Chris Palmer (202-885-3408) or Justine Schmidt (703-852-9050), or visit www.soc.american.edu/cef or www.environmentalfilm.org.

Monday, February 11, 2008

Greenpeace at the Law School: Feb. 13, 2008

WCL has invited John Passacantando, Ex. Dir of Greenpeace USA to talk about the Presidential campaigns, the environment and Greenpeace, during lunch on this Wednesday, February 13th from 12:30-1:30 in the Sixth Floor student lounge. Empanadas will be served.

Energy: WSJ focuses on energy in a special report (Feb. 11, 2008)

In a section dedicated to the different facets of energy production and consumption, the Wall Street Journal today put together a package that looks at global energy use.

Cities around the world are implementing strategies aimed at reducing energy consumption in an effort to tamp down rising costs and decrease harmful emissions. In its energy section, the Wall Street Journal looks at innovative techniques by nine cities world-wide.

CHICAGO: Starting about 8 years ago, the city began using rooftop gardens on municipal buildings to lower their power usage. Gardens can keep a roof as much as 70 degrees cooler, city officials say, because the greenery reflects heat and provides shade. Since then, nearly 4 million square feet of municipal and private rooftops either have a roof garden or are in the process of getting one, according to Suzanne Malec-McKenna, Chicago's commissioner of the environment. The City Hall garden lowered the annual power bill by 11 percent, or almost $10,000, city officials estimate.

ANN ARBOR, MICH.: Officials swapped standard street lights for light-emitting diodes, which are cooler and last fives times longer than the traditional bulbs, while using about half as much energy, city officials say. The city estimates that replacing the downtown street lights alone will save more than $100,000 in power costs annually and eliminate 294 tons of carbon-dioxide emissions.

PALM DESERT, CALIF.: Edison International's Southern California Edison Co. and Sempra Energy's Southern California Gas Co. together with the city and a nonprofit, formed a partnership called the Energy Coalition, to help cities and utilities work together by creating one of the nation's most aggressive incentive programs for homes and businesses to replace outmoded, energy-guzzling gadgets with energy-saving ones. After one full year, the city saved 27 million kilowatt-hours of power and removed about 3,475 tons of carbon from the air.

AMSTERDAM: The Zuidas section of the city, south of the central city, replaced conventional cooling systems for buildings by harnessing a local man-made lake, the Nieuwe Meer. The project, which provides air conditioning for about 700,000 people, saves $292,000 per year in electricity costs and uses just one-tenth the power of traditional cooling systems.

BEIJING: As part of the city's plan to improve the environment before the Olympics, some big polluters are closing down. Cement kilns, coal mines and chemical plants were earmarked for relocation or closure. Production at Shougang Group's steelworks, a major employer in the city, is being wound down for the Games, with annual output to halve to 4.2 million metric tons of steel during 2008. Operations will cease in 2010 and move to a new, more energy-efficient facility 137 miles away. A result of these efforts is that Beijing has dropped behind Shanghai for energy consumption.

LONDON: Mayor Ken Livingstone has begun moving a quarter of the city's power supply to small, local energy sources and away from the national electric grid, reducing the amount of energy needed to deliver power to customers, as well as electricity lost in transit. The company working with the city estimates that projects already under way will be able to meet about 2 percent of London's energy needs.

ASPEN, COLO.: The Canary Initiative, a project launched to meet the city's goal to use more alternative energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, retrofitted the town's Recreation Center to cut its hefty power use. The city's recreation director said the annual energy bill for the center dropped by nearly 40 percent, or $130,000. The overhaul also will save 713,207 kilowatt-hours of power annually and keep about 640 tons of carbon dioxide out of the air every year.

NEW YORK: Mayor Michael Bloomberg is working with a company to harness the power of waves in New York's East River to generate electricity. Five turbines submerged in 30 feet of water have been producing enough power to meet nearly a third of the electricity needs of a supermarket and parking garage. City officials say as many as 300 turbines could eventually be installed in the East River, providing 10 megawatts of renewable power, which could replace the equivalent of 68,000 barrels of oil per year.

THANE, INDIA: A suburb of Mumbai, Thane is using solar water heaters to deal with huge electricity bills. The approximately $40,500 investment in a project at the main hospital saves about $23,500 per year in electricity costs, meets all of its hot-water needs and is enough to power about 45 homes. The city is encouraging residents to get involved as well (Wall Street Journal online [subscription required]).

The special energy section also looks to the Arctic, reporting in another article that interest in oil and gas reserves in the far north is heating up as summers lengthen and the permanent ice cover decreases, opening the way for potential development.

Energy companies already are seeing a "dramatic difference" in the amount of time they can work in the far north, according to Mike Watts, exploration director at Scotland-based Cairn Energy PLC.

Despite the promise -- one study puts reserves there at roughly 400 billion barrels, or 30 percent of the world's remaining supplies -- there are still technological and political hurdles to overcome. To work in cold temperatures and rough, ice-clogged seas, rigs would need an overhaul to their hulls, heating systems and engines, and diplomats from five nations would still need to work out who owns the Arctic resources. Most of the Arctic's development will not be unlocked until the middle of the next decade at the earliest (Brian Baskin, Wall Street Journal online [subscription required]).

Venture capitalists have been pouring billions of dollars into "clean-energy" start-ups -- producers of solar panels, biodiesel fuel and even eco-friendly drywall.
Many of these investments are capital-intensive long-term bets, meaning it could take years before the companies profit.

Despite this, many venture capitalists continue to look at this sector as the wave of the future. Clean energy represents "the biggest set of new market opportunities to come along in a long time," said Ken Lawler, a partner at Battery Ventures in Menlo Calif., which is devoting 20 percent of its investments to clean-tech companies. "It's something you have to be a part of."

In the first nine months of last year, U.S. venture investors poured $2.6 billion into clean-energy start-ups, more than the $1.8 billion invested in such firms in all of 2006, according to the National Venture Capital Association and Thomson Financial.

Electricity "demand response" has been one part of the movement that has profited early. Companies in this sector sell technology and services aimed at improving the efficiency of the U.S. power-distribution grid. Because they do not have to build expensive manufacturing or refining plants, demand-response companies generally require less money to get off the ground than solar and biofuel concerns.

The biofuels sector, meanwhile, has faced challenges as prices for raw materials have soared and critics say the farmland used to grow crops such as corn or soybean could be used to grow food instead (Rebecca Buckman, Wall Street Journal online [subscription required]). -- SG

Hear from NRDC: Feb. 21, 2008

Environmental Forum

Speaker: Jacob Scherr, Director, International Program
Natural Resources Defense Council

Hear Jacob talk about his experiences working for one of the nation's most effective environmental action groups!

Free Organic Pizza!

Thursday, Feb. 21, 7pm @ MGC 247

Sponsored by Global Environmental Politics, Environmental StudiesProgram, & Coppi's Organic Restaurant

Friday, February 8, 2008

Pulitzer Center Liason Internship

Pulitzer Center Liaison description:
A Pulitzer Center Liaison is a well-connected student leader with an interest in journalism, international affairs, the online world, and educational outreach. The Liaison promotes Pulitzer Center’s sponsored reporting, plans Pulitzer Center events, identifies teachers covering related subject matters, and coordinates interaction between relevant classes and Pulitzer Center journalists via their weblogs and reports.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Duties:
· Promote Pulitzer Center reporting initiatives within your institution and to the broader community
o Examples: Outreach to the blogosphere, websites, Facebook, YouTube, Wikipedia, student groups, related courses, getting students to sign up for Pulitzer Center’s newsletter, engaging students in Pulitzer Center blogs, etc.
· Coordinate efforts between Pulitzer Center staff and your institution
· Coordinate logistics of a Pulitzer Center event at your institution
· Collect feedback from participating teachers and students

Time Commitment:
One semester to one year

Compensation:
Compensation could be in the form of internship credits or a small stipend.

About the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting:
The Pulitzer Center's primary objective is to raise the standard of international reporting in a way that engages both policy-makers and the broad public, especially high school and university students.

Our model targets the supply of international reporting in the U.S. mainstream press by providing travel grants to journalists. We then extend this effort, targeting demand through educational outreach efforts. Stimulating broad public engagement is the driving principle of our website, with a “project page” for each reporting initiative that contains a variety of points of entry: print articles, photographs, video, blogs from the field, related web links, and opportunities to engage with the journalists while they are reporting and once the material is publicly released.

Rather than gate-keeping, our objective is to encourage “bridge-building” -- to bridge the gaps between new and traditional media, between citizen and news provider, and between the American public and the international issues that affect us all. We see the Pulitzer Center Liaisons as a way to help bridge this gap.

Visit our website www.pulitzercenter.org for more information and to get a sense of our work.

Pulitzer Center’s current reach:
Pulitzer Center-funded projects have appeared in over 20 mainstream newspapers, magazines and broadcast outlets. Platforms include The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Newsweek International, Boston Globe, Smithsonian, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, San Francisco Chronicle, NPR, PBS, and LinkTV. Over 20 Pulitzer Center-funded video documentaries have appeared as “In Focus” segments on the public-television program Foreign Exchange. We have also worked closely with YouTube where a number of our short documentaries have already been featured as “editor’s picks.” In September 2007 one Pulitzer Center video featured on YouTube drew a quarter of a million views! Since January 2007, nearly 50,000 visitors have come to the Pulitzer Center website and another 12,000 visitors to our blog sites. Millions more have had access to Pulitzer Center projects via our media partners. We want to expand our reach even further.

What’s in it for you:
Pulitzer Center Liaisons will have the opportunity to work directly with the Pulitzer Center staff and with some of the best international journalists in the world, helping to promote their work and in the process getting first-hand exposure to print and broadcast journalism, video documentaries, and the cutting-edge tools of interactive multi-media presentations on the Web. Liaisons will be encouraged to submit their own reports for Pulitzer Center website forums and to make proposals for Pulitzer Center travel grants. Most important of all, these Liaisons will be part of an exciting new social network aimed at reinvigorating not just journalism but debate on issues crucial to the maintenance of America’s core democratic values.

To apply:

Please send us a one-page cover letter explaining why you would be a good fit for this role. Be sure to specify at least three ideas you would hope to implement as Pulitzer Center Liaison to promote our work. Be as specific as possible when referring to your past experiences, current responsibilities and related skills.

We are appointing qualified students as Pulitzer Center Liaisons on a rolling basis.

Send your letters to Ann Peters, Director of Development and Outreach, at apeters@pulitzercenter.org


Thank you for your interest in the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting!

Volunteers needed for Washington International Renewable Energy Conference: March 3-7, 20008

Interested in volunteering for the Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, WIREC 2008?

WIREC 2008 Official Side Events and Official Side Event Workshops offer a unique chance for the world community to discuss the opportunities and challenges of a major, rapid, global scale-up of renewable energy and advance the goals of energy security, climate change mitigation, and sustainable development.

The Washington International Renewable Energy Conference consists of three co-located events: WIREC 2008 Ministerial-Level Meeting, Business Conference & Trade Show at WIREC 2008, and WIREC 2008 Official Side Events.

WIREC 2008 Official Side Events and Official Side Event Workshops are a forum for non-governmental, governmental, and/or inter-governmental partners to showcase their projects and programs in front of a high level public and private sector audience.

WIREC 2008 is the follow up conference to Bonn and Beijing and will bring together international leaders in government, the private sector, and civil society.

WIREC 2008 consists of 3 co-located events: Ministerial Level meeting, Official Side Events, and the Global Business Conference and Tradeshow, taking place from March 3-7, 2008 at the Washington Convention Center.

With over 80 Official Side Events, 90+ countries represented in the Ministerial Level meeting, Business conference and Tradeshow, volunteering represents a great opportunity to participate in this major global event.

To volunteer in the Official Side Events, please contact maria@energyandsecurity.com with the subject line OSE volunteer.

Looking forward to your contribution in making this a great event

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Internship Opportunities

INTERNSHIP POSITION: ASSISTANT TO THE FUNDRAISING & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR

This intern gains invaluable skills in the area of nonprofit development as well as an understanding of the influence nonprofit research organizations can have on foreign-policy decisions.

Duties: - Assisting the director of development with fundraising duties including mailings, publications, and media relations- Maintaining and improving the CIP web site in regard to fundraising and effective marketing- Maintaining and updating CIP’s online data base- Assisting with the design of public relations and communications materials - Tracking foreign policy changes pertaining to CIP projects - Assisting the development staff in the proposal-writing and grant-reporting process as well as researching foundations- Taking minutes at weekly staff meetings and distributing an office newsletter - Attending regular classes at the DC-based Foundation Center- Assisting with the planning and execution of events and conferences- General office procedures Requirements: - Organizational skills and self-motivation - Attention to detail- Experience using (or ability and willingness to learn) Dreamweaver, Microsoft Word and Excel - Strong interest in learning how a non profit organization is managed and funded

INTERNSHIP POSITION: GLOBAL FINANCIAL INTEGRITY PROGRAM

The Global Financial Integrity (GFI) program at the Center for International Policy, Washington DC, is looking for an undergraduate or graduate degree student intern majoring in Economics for an unpaid internship. The length of assignment and hours of work are flexible within a minimum commitment period of one semester. The intern will benefit significantly from professional interactions with experts in the field who, in overseeing the project, will guide data and literature research. The groundbreaking GFI study calls for quantitative skills in statistics and economics such as regression analysis, creating statistical tables and charts, and the retrieval, update, and manipulation of large data sets. Some knowledge of macroeconomics and international economics would be useful.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and resume to:
Alex Sánchez
Internship Coordinator
Center for International Policy
1717 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20036-4000
fax: (202) 232-3440
email: alex@ciponline.org

Preference will be given to applicants who can intern full time and who can begin immediately. The positions will remain open until suitable candidates have been accepted. More information about CIP internships can be found in the internship handbook.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Current Challenges to Environment and Public Health in Armenia: Feb. 6, 2008

Current Challenges to Environment and Public Health in Armenia: A Policy Discussion
Date: Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Location: World Bank, Building J (across 18th Street from the main building) Room J-1-050 (Info Shop)
Time: 6:30-8:00 p.m.
RSVP requested by February 5 to serda.ozbenian@gmail.com.

Discussion Agenda
6:30 p.m. Introduction and Welcoming Remarks
6:40 p.m. Recent Student Research on Emerging Environmental Health Threats in Armenia
George Jakab, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health.
7:10 p.m. Threats to Public Health in Armenia from Lead Pollution and Pathogens in Public Swimming Waters
Charles Dunlap, Ph.D., Senior Program Manager, U.S. Civilian Research & Development Foundation
7:30 p.m. Q & A, open to the floor

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:
Dr. George Jakab is a respiratory toxicologist who teaches and researches environmental health at Johns Hopkins University as well in Armenia and Pakistan. He is experienced in environmental health problems in transitional societies and will present data from recent research by his public health masters students in Yerevan.

Dr. Charles Dunlap was an assistant professor at the American University of Armenia from 1999-2004 and the Director of the AUA’s Environmental Conservation and Research Center. His research includes the use of lead isotope analysis to trace the origin and movement of lead contamination in the environment.

Call for Presenters on Human Rights: Deadline Feb. 29, 2008

Call for Presenters: Human Rights and Social Justice
Location: Florida, United States
Call for Papers Date: 2008-02-29 (in 24 days)

Innovative and enthusiastic presenters are welcomed for the first Human Rights and Social Justice: 2008 and Beyond Conference, to be held at Florida Atlantic University's Davie campus in sunny Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. This one day conference on Friday, April 4, 2008 will bring together activists,educators, students, and professionals in an effort to assess the state ofhuman rights and social justice in the U.S. and to offer visions andrecommendations for change.

Each presenter will have 30 minutes to share their knowledge on some facet of human rights and social justice. Possible topics include domestic violence, privacy rights, death penalty, equity in education, and living wages, although innovative ideas are welcome! Consistent with the theme of the conference, those selected to present will be required to do so in a non-traditional format. Small amounts of traditional lecture are acceptable,but presentations must include another mode of presentation, such as aperformance, interactive activity, reenactments, or role play. Creativity isstrongly encouraged!

Please submit abstracts no longer than one page to Dr. Laura Finley,Director of the Center for Living and Teaching Peace. Abstracts should include a description of the topic, how it fits the theme of Human Rightsand Social Justice: 2008 and Beyond, and the methods of presentation to beused, including any audiovisual needs. Abstracts must also include complete contact information, including full name, affiliation (if any), mailing address and email address, and telephone number. A resume or c.v. should beincluded as well. Please all materials to lauraleefinley@hotmail.com by February 29, 2008.

Internship Opportunities in Education: Deadline Feb. 27,2008

Internship title: Research Assistant, Education in the Developing World
Application deadline: February 27, 2008
Hiring organization: Investing in Education Foundation (www.investingineducation.org)

Investing in Education (IEF) is a nonprofit organization aimed at improving the quality of education in disadvantaged communities in Latin America. To reach this goal, IEF conducts impact evaluations of local or regional educational programs for replication on a national scale.

Description: In this assignment you will be involved in a whole range of research work related to business development. A core part of the assignment will be the provision of research in support of the fund-raising strategy for Investing in Education. This activity will involve conducting research from a variety of internet sources and effectively identifying funding partners and assisting in the organization of fund-raising activities. You will provide assistance with other aspects of the preparation of the grant proposals and interaction with partners and donors as needed. You will also provide assistance with preparing communication materials (leaflets, newsletters) on the mission, objectives and operations of the NGO.

Outputs: Bi-weekly progress reports on the agreed workplan and targets.

Qualifications: Strong quantitative and writing skills, particularly in the area of the social sciences· Ability to speak and write in both Spanish and English· Interest in significantly contributing to the work of a team dedicated to educational advances in the developing world

The internship is unpaid.
Application procedure and contact information: Submit a cover letter and résumé to Manuel Felix at mfelix@iefmail.org.

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Summer internship title: Analyst, Education in the Developing World
Application deadline: February 27, 2008
Hiring organizations: Investing in Education Foundation (www.investingineducation.org) and Empresarios por la Educación Básica (www.exeb.org.mx) Investing in Education (IEF) is a nonprofit organization aimed at improving the quality of education in disadvantaged communities in Latin America. To reach this goal, IEF conducts impact evaluations of local or regional educational programs for replication on a national scale.

Internship dates: Approximately 10 weeks between June 2 and September 5, 2008 (exact dates are flexible) Location: México, D.F. Description: (1) During the first part of the internship (roughly 7 weeks), the intern will research and write a comprehensive analysis of the Mexican basic education system—primary and secondary levels—using several databases, including household surveys. Subsequently, the intern will present the research findings to Investing in Education, the World Bank and Mexican Ministry of Education officials. (2) During the latter part of the internship (roughly 3 weeks), the intern will formulate detailed project proposals based on the research findings.

Research topics will include the following, among others: Student achievement (indigenous v. non-indigenous and rural v. urban populations)·Teacher absenteeism·Use of technology in the classroom·Teacher training· Curriculum development (particularly inter-cultural, bilingual education curriculum)· Best practices currently in place (government and NGO programs)

Qualifications:Strong quantitative and writing skills, particularly in the area of the social sciences·Ability to speak and write in both Spanish and English· Interest in significantly contributing to the work of a team dedicated to educational advances in the developing world

The internship is unpaid; however some travel costs may be covered.
Application procedure and contact information: Submit a cover letter and résumé to Manuel Felix at mfelix@iefmail.org.

Future of Kosovo: Feb. 6, 2008

The SAIS International Law and Organizations Program
invites you to a
Coffee and Conversation on the Future of Kosovo

with Bishop Dr. Artemjie of the Serbian Orthodox Diocese of Ras and Prizrenin Kosovo and Metohija
Wednesday, February 6, 4:30-6 p.m..
Room 812, Rome Building 1619 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W.

Please r.s.v.p. to Isabelle Talpain-Long, at <itlong@jhu.edu> . Coffee will be served.

Bishop Artemije was a brave and outspoken critic of the nationalist policies, human rights violations, and war crimes of former Serbian president Slobodan Milosevic.
At the same time, he has called attention to the human rights volations of the post-war period, including by the Kosovo Liberation Army. He has served as the archpastor of the Serbian Orthodox community in Kosovo.
This session should be of interest to people interested conflict resolution, human rights, European politics, and American foreign policy.

Open to the Members of the SAIS community, as well as the public and the press.

Monday, February 4, 2008

NATO Parliamentary Assembly Research Assistant Programme: Deadline April 15, 2008

NATO Parliamentary Assembly Research Assistant Programme

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly usually employs eight paid Research Assistants from NATO nations each year. In general, four of these start in late January and finish in June. The second group starts in August and finishes in late November or early-December. In addition, the Assembly employs two Research Assistants from Associate Delegate countries.
All applications from candidates with the appropriate qualifications are placed on a list for consideration. Their names remain on the list for consideration for about twelve months. Candidates are requested to inform the Assembly by e-mail if they cease to be available to take up a position during that time.

The Assembly receives well over two hundred applications per year from very well qualified candidates.

Every effort is made to assess applications objectively, but many factors must be taken into account. These include the need for a regional balance among participants in the programme. Consequently, it is rare to select two candidates from the same nation for the same intake. Due to the large number of applicants, only candidates selected to participate will be contacted. The names of those selected will be published on the web site (www.nato-pa.int). See below for further details regarding candidates from NATO Member Countries and from Associate Delegation Nations.

Information for Candidates from NATO Member Nations

The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the parliamentary consultative organisation of the Atlantic Alliance, comprising about 200 members of the national parliaments of the 26 NATO member countries, as well as legislators from 13 Associate Member Nations.
The Assembly is divided into five committees: the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security, the Defence and Security Committee, the Economics and Security Committee, the Political Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. The full Assembly meets twice a year in different member countries at the invitation of national parliaments. Sub-committees and Special Groups examine specific issues and conduct fact-finding missions throughout the year.
The International Secretariat of the Assembly is based in Brussels and is staffed by some 30 people from the various NATO member countries. The main task of research assistants is to contribute, at the request of Committee Directors or Senior Management, to the research necessary for the drafting of the Assembly reports and other documents. The job occasionally entails some administrative work, but most tasks are research oriented.

Research assistants from NATO member nations are typically recruited for a three-month period, which can be renewed for up to two additional months. Due to the Assembly's work schedule, research assistants are usually requested to commence work either in late January or late August. The stipend is EURO 700 net per month. The Assembly provides a small furnished and equipped flat free of charge, which the researchers are expected to keep in good condition, and provides a basic health insurance policy for the duration of the internship.

Qualifications

Candidates must possess a first degree and a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations, History, International Economics or related subjects. Preference will be given to candidates who have recently completed their Masters degree. Ph.D. candidates are also welcome to apply but should recognise that during their tenure with the NATO PA, their workday will be dedicated to Assembly defined projects.

Candidates should be completely fluent in oral and written English and/or French. If neither is mother tongue, certified evidence of proficiency level will be required. Knowledge of other European languages is a further asset.

Applicants should apply by typewritten or word-processed letter, indicating their areas of interest and competence, nationality, and period of availability. A curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation from referees well acquainted with the applicant's recent work or professional experience should also be forwarded to the International Secretariat.
Please note that the Assembly receives a very large number of applications for only a few places.
Applications for positions commencing in August 2008 should be received by 15 April 2008. The names of those selected will be posted on the website (www.nato-pa.int).
Applications or requests for information should be sent to:

Director of the Research Assistant Programme

E-mail: RA-Programme@nato-pa.int
NATO Parliamentary Assembly 3 place du Petit Sablon B 1000 BRUSSELS
Fax: 0032 2 514 1847

Information for Candidates from Associate Delegation Nations
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly is the parliamentary consultative organisation of the Atlantic Alliance, comprising about 200 members of the national parliaments of the 26 NATO member countries, as well as legislators from 13 associate member nations.
The Assembly is divided into five committees: the Committee on the Civil Dimension of Security, the Defence and Security Committee, the Economics and Security Committee, the Political Committee and the Science and Technology Committee. The full Assembly meets twice a year in different member countries at the invitation of national parliaments. Sub-committees and Special Groups examine specific issues and conduct fact-finding missions throughout the year.
The International Secretariat of the Assembly is based in Brussels and is staffed by some 30 people from the various NATO member countries. The main task of research assistants is to contribute, at the request of Committee Directors, to the research necessary for the drafting of the Assembly reports and other documents. The job occasionally entails some administrative work, but most tasks are research oriented.

Research assistants from associate delegation nations are typically recruited for a period of one to three months. Due to the Assembly's work schedule, research assistants are usually requested to commence work in either January or August. The stipend is EURO 700 net per month. The Assembly provides a small furnished and equipped flat free of charge, which the researchers are expected to keep in good condition, and provides a basic health insurance policy for the duration of the internship.

Qualifications
Preference is given to candidates who are employed in their national parliaments in a capacity relevant to international relations and/or security. Candidates with backgrounds in academia, government, policy research institutions or journalism are also considered. In general, candidates should have a Master's degree (or equivalent) in Political Science, International Relations or related subjects. In some cases, candidates who do not possess such a degree will be considered if they have relevant professional experience.
Candidates should be completely fluent in oral and written English and/or French. If neither is mother tongue, certified evidence of proficiency level will be required. Knowledge of other European languages is a further asset.

Applicants should apply by typewritten or word-processed letter, indicating their areas of interest and competence, nationality, and period of availability. A curriculum vitae and two letters of recommendation from referees well acquainted with the applicants recent work or professional experience should also be forwarded to the International Secretariat.

Please note that the Assembly receives a very large number of applications for only a few places.
Applications for positions commencing in August 2008 should be received by 15 April 2008. The names of those selected will be posted on the website (www.nato-pa.int).

Applications or requests for information should be sent to:
Director of the Research Assistant Programme
E-mail: RA-Programme@nato-pa.int NATO Parliamentary Assembly 3 place du Petit Sablon B 1000 BRUSSELS Fax: 0032 2 514 1847

War Crimes Law Internship: Deadline Feb. 10, 2008

The Youth Initiative for Human Rights (YIHR) is pleased to announce an open competition for the War Crimes Law Internship Programme (WCLI).
The WCLI programme grants graduate students, and undergraduate students who are in their final stages of education, an opportunity to partake in an internship in the unique environment at the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, at the Office of the War Crimes Prosecutor or to the War Crimes Chamber in Belgrade and at the documentation centres and victims associations in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina or Croatia, offering the chance to enhance their knowledge and expertise in a professional setting.

The WCLI programme will give young people an opportunity both to learn about international humanitarian law and the ICTY’s practice and jurisprudence, and to transfer that knowledge to the Office of the War Crimes Prosecutor or to the War Crimes Chamber in Belgrade and to documentation centres and victims associations.

The programme is open to those candidates with an educational background in law or the social sciences.

Candidates must sincerely believe in transitional justice and dealing with the past as a mechanism to restore dignity to victims, establishing the truth and justice in the region of the former Yugoslavia.

Applicants must be proficient in English and/or French, both written and oral.

Candidates should be aged between 20 and 35 years old.

The YIHR will provide participants in the WCLI programme with financial support, which will cover travel expenses and a living/housing stipend in The Hague, Belgrade, or other cities where internship will take place.

The duration of the WCLI programme at the ICTY in The Hague can range from a minimum of three months to a maximum of six months; preference will be given to those who are available for a six month period.
The duration of the WCLI programme within the War Crimes Chamber or the Prosecutions office in Belgrade, however is two months. The placements at the documentation centres and victims associations in Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina or Croatia will last up to two months.

The full application is consisted of:
1. Application Form
2. A covering letter stating the reasons for applying;
3. Two written references;
4. A sample (maximum 1500 words) of your written work in a field relevant to the work of the Tribunal or the War Crimes Chamber/Prosecutions office.
5. Copies of University degrees and/or diplomas or a list of courses taken.
6. Certification indicating foreign language capacity (if applicable)

The full application, written in English, should be mailed to the address:
Kondina 26/II, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia – with remark for WCLIP 2008.

Please note that only complete applications will be considered. Mailing date should not be later than February the 10th, 2007 For more information on the program please visit our website (www.yihr.org), where you can download a copy of the application form.

Additional information and clarification can be requested by contacting Rasa Nedeljkov.
Tel/fax: 011/3370747, 3370757, rasa@yihr.org, Kondina 26/II, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia