Spring/Summer Internship with International Rivers

Policy Program Intern – Spring/Summer 2013
http://www.internationalrivers.org/node/7809

International Rivers is a non-profit research and advocacy organization headquartered in Berkeley, California, with staff and consultants currently working in Brazil, China, India, South Africa and Thailand. International Rivers supports communities around the world in protecting their rivers and rights. We work to halt destructive dams and encourage better methods of meeting needs for water, energy and protection from floods.

International Rivers' Policy Program works to strengthen the social and environmental policies of dam builders and financiers, and to build the capacity of civil society and dam-affected communities to defend their rights. We are seeking a part-time (16-20 hours/week) intern for 3 months during Spring and Summer 2013 (with possibility of extension) to assist with the creation of a major report on the current state of the world's rivers. The report will include an in-depth research component on indicators of river basin health, and will analyze our experiences and lessons with specific dam projects, developers, and cross-cutting issues over the past decade. The Policy Program Intern will play a critical role in the project team by supporting the research, production, and outreach components of this report.

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Support for research and data collection
• Production of graphics, maps, and other visuals
• Coordination of publication review team
• Support for outreach and communications activities
• Some administrative and logistical tasks

Required qualifications and experiences:

• Commitment to environmental integrity, social justice and the mission of International Rivers
• A background in freshwater ecology, hydrology, fluvial geomorphology, or environmental science
• A background in geographical information science (GIS)
• Strong research skills in English and one other language
• Written and spoken fluency in English
• Strong data management skills
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment

Preferred qualifications:

• Knowledge of global water institutions
• An understanding of the social and environmental impacts of dams and hydropower
• Experience producing infographics and visuals
• Flexible self-starter. Strong ability to set priorities, respond to shifting priorities, and manage a variety of time-sensitive activities simultaneously
• Excellent organizational, planning and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work both independently and within a team

Compensation includes a stipend of USD $2500 for a three-month period; an additional three-month extension is possible. This position is based in our Berkeley, California office.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to send your cover letter, resume, and a 3-page writing sample to the Intern & Volunteer Coordinator, internship@internationalrivers.org, with “Policy Program Intern” in the subject line. NO CALLS PLEASE. This position will be open until filled.

China Internship Program for Spring/Summer 2013

China Program Internship Part-time, Spring/Summer 2013

http://www.internationalrivers.org/node/4602

International Rivers is a non-profit research and advocacy organization headquartered in Berkeley, California, with staff and consultants currently working in Brazil, China, India, South Africa and Thailand. International Rivers supports communities around the world in protecting their rivers and rights. We work to halt destructive dams and encourage better methods of meeting needs for water, energy and protection from floods.

International Rivers’ China Program investigates China’s domestic and global environmental footprint through the lens of dam building. We are seeking a part-time China Program Intern for 16-20 hours per week for six months (with the possibility of extension) starting in March/April to assist with program activities in Beijing, China. The ideal candidate for this position is bilingual, web savvy, possesses solid communication, writing and editing skills, and is committed to our mission. The intern will be an integral part of the China team, will communicate with International Rivers’ global staff and partners, and will contribute to print and web publications. There may be opportunities to travel within China. 

Specific responsibilities may include:

• Program support to our China team around the issues of river protection in China
• Support for Chinese environmental NGOs within the river network
• Monitoring China’s global role in dam-building
• Providing capacity building support at events for civil society actors in China and abroad
• Some administrative and logistical tasks
• Short translation assignments

Required qualifications and experiences:

• Commitment to environmental integrity, social justice and the mission of International Rivers
• Written and spoken fluency in English and Chinese
• Strong research skills in English and Chinese
• Communication skills: experience in Chinese social media communications, written publications and basic website maintenance
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team environment
• Willing to travel to visit partner organizations or conduct site visits

Preferred qualifications:

• A background in hydrology, environmental science, environmental law or engineering
• Completed bachelors degree or on track to complete studies by summer 2013
• Experience interacting with Chinese environmental NGOs
• Experience translating between Chinese and English
• Flexible self-starter. Strong ability to set priorities, respond to shifting priorities, and manage a variety of time-sensitive activities simultaneously
• Excellent organizational, planning and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work both independently and within a team

The level of remuneration for the internship will depend on experience.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to send your cover letter, resume, and a 3-page writing sample to the Intern & Volunteer Coordinator, internship@internationalrivers.org, with “China Program Intern” in the subject line. NO CALLS PLEASE. This position will be open until filled, review of applications will begin on February 18th.

Panel: Risks and Benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing

The School of Public Affairs and Center for Environmental Policy

Invite You to Attend

Risks and Benefits of Hydraulic Fracturing:

Boom or Bane?

Monday, January 28th

4:00-5:30 p.m.

McDowell Formal

Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is being debated across the country with experts disagreeing on the risks and the benefits at stake. Many debates center on differing opinions policymakers have on how best to protect human health and the environment. The panel will discuss issues and challenges faced by the different levels of government (federal, state, local) in setting and implementing environmental policy for “fracking.” It will highlight the complexity of the environmental and health risks that must be addressed, and the difficulty inherent in working out a governance framework that is protective and fits very different environmental/geological as well as economic and social conditions. Panelists will include experts from federal, state and local government organizations who will discuss the governance issues from their differing perspectives.

Kindly rsvp to cep@american.edu.

The Center for Environmental Policy, led by Dan Fiorino, aims to improve the nation's ability to address environmental challenges through effective governance. For more information, please visit http://www.american.edu/spa/cep.

Discussion Question 1

Hi all -- welcome to the SIS-388 blog for Spring 2013.

This week, I'd like to pick up on the tail end of our conversation in class today by having you read and comment on this piece, which appeared in the Washington Post on Thanksgiving Day back in 2007. The article was written by Michael Maniates of Allegheny College. We'll be reading more of his work later in the semester. Simple question this first time around: what do you make of Professor Maniates' argument?

Apply Today to be a Part of Green Corps!

Early Winter Application Deadline January 22, 2013

Click here to find out more about Green Corps' paid training program in environmental organizing

Green Corps is looking for college graduates who are ready to take on the biggest environmental challenges of our day.

In Green Corps’ year-long paid program, you’ll get intensive training in the skills you’ll need to make a difference in the world. You’ll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems — global warming, deforestation, water pollution, factory farming and many others — with groups such as Sierra Club and Food & Water Watch. And, when you graduate from Green Corps, we’ll help you find a career with one of the nation’s leading environmental and social change groups.

For more information, read below or visit our web site: http://www.greencorps.org/findoutmore.

In your year with Green Corps:

You’ll get great training with some of the most experienced organizers in the field: Green Corps organizers take part in trainings with leading figures in the environmental and social change movements: people such as Adam Ruben, political director of MoveOn.org, and Bill McKibben, author and founder of "350.org".

You’ll get amazing experience working on environmental issues across the country: Green Corps sends organizers to jumpstart campaigns for groups such as Rainforest Action Network and Environment America in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston and dozens of other places in between.

You’ll have a real impact on some of the biggest environmental problems we’re facing today: Green Corps organizers have built the campaigns that helped keep the Arctic safe from drilling, that led to new laws that support clean, renewable energy, that convinced major corporations to stop dumping in our oceans and much, much more.

You’ll even get paid: Green Corps Organizers earn a salary of $23,750. Organizers also have a chance to opt into our health care program with a pre-tax monthly salary deferral. We offer paid sick days and holidays, two weeks paid vacation and a student loan repayment program for those who qualify.

And when you graduate from the program, you’ll be ready for what comes next: Green Corps will help connect you to environmental and progressive groups that are looking for full-time staff to build their organizations and help them create social change and protect our environment.

In the next few months, we‘ll invite 35 college graduates to join Green Corps in 2013 -2014. We’re looking for people who are serious about saving the planet, people who have taken initiative on their campus or community, and people who are willing to roll up their sleeves and work for change over the long haul.

If you think you’re one of those people, visit www.greencorps.org to apply to join the 2013-2014 class of Green Corps’ Field School for Environmental Organizing.

Green Corps’ year-long program begins in August 2013 with Introductory Classroom Training in Boston, and continues with field placements in multiple locations across the U.S. Candidates must be willing to relocate.

For more information, visit www.greencorps.org or contact Aaron Myran, Recruitment Director, at jobs@greencorps.org.

The Bard Center for Environmental Policy and the Bard MBA in Sustainability are looking for motivated students who are ready to embark on an exciting educational journey. Our students come from a variety of academic disciplines, and they bring to Bard a passion about their future role as environmental and business leaders. Interdisciplinary course work, faculty-student mentorships, and professional hands-on experiences provide the platform students need to succeed academically and professionally. Both Bard CEP and Bard MBA offer competitive merit fellowships, project assistantships, and campus employment opportunities for qualified candidates.

The Bard MBA in Sustainability focuses on the business case for sustainability. We train students to see how firms can integrate economic, environmental, and social objectives, the triple bottom line, to create successful businesses that build a more sustainable world. Graduates of the Bard MBA Program will transform existing companies, start their own businesses, and pioneer new ways of operating that meet human needs, while protecting and restoring the earth’s natural systems. The Bard MBA is a low-residency program structured around “weekend intensives” with regular online instruction between these residencies. Five of these intensives are held each term: four in the heart of New York City and one in the Hudson Valley. Residencies take place over four days, beginning Friday morning, and ending Monday afternoon.

Website: http://www.bard.edu/mba
Contact: Katie Van Sant MS '07
E-mail: kvansant@bard.edu
Phone: 845-758-7388
Application Due Dates: Early: January 15, 2013; Regular: March 15, 2013; Final: May 15, 2013

The Bard Center for Environmental Policy believes that to solve environmental challenges and achieve sustainability in our institutions and in society, government and business policies must be grounded in the best available science. Bard CEP’s cohort-based program and intensive, campus-based, first-year curriculum require students to synthesize information from a range of disciplines and sources. The emphasis on science-based policy enables students to progress from knowledge of the issues to the formulation of feasible, effective policy responses. Distinctive program features include a modular approach to course work; close student-faculty interaction; professional internships; practical training in geographic information systems (GIS), statistics, leadership, and communication strategies; and research opportunities created to fit student interests.

Website: http://www.bard.edu/cep
Contact: Molly Williams MS '08
E-mail: mwilliam@bard.edu
Phone: 845-758-7071
Application Due Date: Early: January 15, 2013; Regular: March 15, 2013; Final: May 15, 2013

Oxfam Online Discussion: The Future of Agriculture

The Future of Agriculture: debate the experts

Join Oxfam’s global online policy discussion

December 10-21, 2012 at blogs.oxfam.org/future-of-agriculture

The second in Oxfam’s online discussion series will feature essays by leading thinkers from around the world. They will address four provocative questions:

·         What if farmer’s knowledge were the driver of innovations and investments?

·         What if women owned the land they till and the food they produce?

·         What if all food were produced without fossil fuels?

·         What if all farmers could rely on effective systems to manage risk?

New essays will be posted daily, and every day will feature YOU, responding to the experts’ ideas and sharing your own. The discussion will take place simultaneously in English, Spanish and French. All essays and comments will inform an Oxfam discussion paper to be published in 2013.

The Future of Agriculture: debate the experts

·         John Ambler: Vice President, Strategy of Oxfam America

·         Julio Berdegue: Principal Researcher, Latin American Center for Rural Development (RIMISP)

·         Prem Bindraban: Director of ISRIC (World Soil Information)

·         Sonali Bisht: Sustainable development consultant

·         Nicko Debenham: Director Development and Sustainability Armajaro Trading Limited

·         Shenggen Fan: Director General, International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)

·         Susan Godwin, Nigerian farmer

·         José Graziano da Silva: Director-General, UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)

·         Rokeya Kabir: Founder, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha, a Bangladeshi women's organization

·         Anna Lappé: Founding principal, Small Planet Institute

·         Pat Mooney: Co-founder and executive director, ETC Group

·         Sophia Murphy: Senior Advisor, Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy

·         Tarcila Rivera Zea, Executive Director of Chirapaq, Perú

·         Bill McKibben: Founder, 350.org

·         Madiodio Niasse: Secretariat Director, International Land Coalition (ILC)

·         Kanayo F. Nwanze: President, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

·         Michael O'Gorman: Founder, Farmer-Veteran Coalition

·         Harold Poelma: Managing Director, Cargill Refined Oils Europe

·         Kavita Prakash-Mani: Head of Food Security Agenda, Syngenta International

·         Sarojeni Rengam: Executive Director, Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific

·         Roger Thurow: Author of The Last Hunger Season and ENOUGH

·         Florence Wambugu: CEO and Founder, Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International

·         Alexis Nicolás Ibáñez Blancas, Researcher, Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Perú

Please spread the word and join the discussion at

blogs.oxfam.org/future-of-agriculture!

For more information: gine.zwart@oxfamnovib.nl or jfrench@oxfamamerica.org