Description

Togo is among the world's poorest countries and has received its fair share of criticism over its human rights record. Today, many local and international organizations are working to improve the situation of the poor, repressed, and vulnerable within the country. Since trouble free parliamentary elections took place in October 2007, many people are confident that during the next few years Togo will make further progress in human rights and democratic governance. You can play a part in this progress by interning abroad on a Human Rights Law internship in Togo.

The international work experience you will gain while interning abroad on the Human Rights internship in Togo will undoubtedly improve your resume. This applies whether you are a gap year student looking to study law at university or a law graduate looking to gain some practical work experience abroad in human rights. Your precise role will be determined by your knowledge of law and level of interest in specific areas. International law experience is certainly something that all law firms will be pleased to see when recruiting trainees and new partners.

The main language of communication in Togo is French and speaking intermediate French is necessary to be able to participate on this internship.

Volunteers in Togo work with either WiLDAF (Women in Law and Development in Africa) or La Ligue Togolaise de Droit de l'Homme (LTDH), a member of the international organization FIDH.

WiLDAF is a Pan-African non-governmental organization (NGO) focusing on women's rights. It forms the basis of a network of local women's NGOs and organizations with the aim of bringing together research and material to further promote their cause.

WiLDAF -Togo undertakes a variety of work, including raising awareness, formulating pleas, and representing the cause for women's rights at national meetings and seminars. They also train committees of local women in rural areas and help resolve individual abuses by collaborating with partner organizations.

LTDH is an office based in Lome which deals with complaints of human rights violations, as well as formulating pleas, implementing the constitution, and revising legal protocols. They represent their cause at regional, national, and international meetings.

Your role as an intern is to assist either team with the treatment of individual cases, awareness projects, and/or conducting research. Your responsibilities will depend on your previous experience as well as your interests and performance.

Highlights

There are many areas of Human Rights that need proper attention in Togo. You may join initiatives dealing with the following issues:

* Children's rights
* Women's rights
* Prison conditions
* Police accountability
* Electoral transparency

One of the main aims is to help raise awareness so that ordinary Togolese people understand their rights and what protection they are legally entitled to in certain situations. Your role in this might involve various activities such as:

* Raising awareness in rural communities
* Preparing leaflets, posters or educational tools
* Running training programs
* Planning promotional campaigns

WiLDAF and LIDH are serious professional organizations. You may sometimes have deadlines or you may be asked to represent the organization at meetings and other events. Your work will be important for the growth of human rights in West Africa.

These projects are available for two weeks if you don't have time to join us for a month or more. The projects have been selected by our local colleagues as being suitable for short term volunteering for both the host community and the volunteer. Although you will gain a valuable cultural insight and work intensely within the organization please be aware that you may not be able to make the same impact as someone volunteering for a longer period.

Qualifications

none

Intern Types

• Human Rights
• Law

Languages

• English
• French

Cost in US$:

please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Human Rights
• Law

Typical Volunteer

Open-minded with a willingness to travel.

Age Range

16-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-5

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992