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Trade for Development Internship |
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Internship Opportunities
An internship at the Trade for Development Programme (TDP) of the South Centre offers young professionals an opportunity to undertake autonomous, concrete and critical work on the interfaces of trade and development. It also opens a window into the dynamic world of international trade negotiations. It gives young professionals an opportunity to gain access to high level negotiations that shape the future structure of the multilateral trading system and the way trade affects the development objectives of countries in the Global South. Interns are based in Geneva (Switzerland) and fully integrated to the every-day work of the South Centre.
The South Centre and the Trade for Development Programme
The South Centre is an inter-governmental organisation open exclusively to governments of developing countries, i.e. members of the Group of 77 and China. It aims at achieving a fair, equitable and rule-based global order through the promotion of perspectives which are specific to developing countries. In undertaking its mission, the South Centre strives to promote and enhance South-South collaboration and solidarity.
The Trade for Development Programme of the South Centre aims ultimately at empowering developing country policy makers to formulate trade policies and trade negotiations in a way that trade operates as an effective tool to serve people-centred development. In so doing, the TDP undertakes policy-oriented research to build the capacity of developing country negotiators and policy-makers. The TDP always highlights the interests of developing countries in particular issues, bearing in mind that poor countries have a specific need to put trade rules at the service of poverty reduction.
A Mutually Enriching Collaboration
Since the strategic objective of the Trade for Development Programme is to empower developing countries, the TDP also envisions its internship scheme as a tool to build the capacity of young developing country professionals. Internships are seen as a mutually enriching experience, both for the Programme and for students.
As such, young professionals are expected to contribute substantively to the work programme of the TDP, particularly through concrete research, data collection, and the organisation of events. Research undertaken by interns always feeds into the work of the TDP in a direct and concrete manner. Interns are frequently encouraged to draft final papers under the supervision of TDP staff and may often author papers. As far as possible, specific tasks are also linked to each intern’s own research interests or academic requirements.
Through this internship, young professionals gain exposure to the various perspectives that exist on a large gamut of trade issues and are able to witness, first-hand, the contending and often competing priorities that are instrumental to the formulation of international trade rules. Interns are encouraged to develop critical and analytical capacity, and should be able to identify the specific interests and concerns of poor countries in any of the topics being analysed.
Interns have access and are actually encouraged to attend meetings at, for instance, the United Nations office in Geneva (UNOG), at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This real-life insight constitutes an invaluable complement to young professionals’ education.
Duration
Internships typically last four months but its duration may extend for three to six months depending on the availability and interests of interns. While the TDP is very flexible regarding the start and end dates of any internship, there are three main starting periods:
Conditions
Internships at the TDP are not remunerated. Except where otherwise indicated to the intern in writing, travel expenses, including visa fees, to and from Geneva will be the responsibility of the intern. In addition, interns shall also be responsible for their own insurance for illness and accidents.
Where necessary, and as appropriate, the South Centre will provide assistance to interns in obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland.
Eligibility
Applicants for an internship at the TDP should ideally be nationals of a developing country (defined as members of the Group of 77 and China). Alternatively, applicants should be able to demonstrate a capacity to identify and understand the interests and concerns proper to developing countries in any specific issue.
Due to the multidisciplinary nature of the research carried out by the TDP, students from different educational backgrounds will find the internship an enriching experience. Most commonly, the educational background of students who have collaborated with the TDP in the past include: Economics, International Political Economy, International Relations, Trade and Development, Legal studies, and Public Administration. The Programme accepts applications from all educational backgrounds unless otherwise stated in the internship announcement. Students should be either in the course of or finishing a graduate degree.
How to Apply
When positions open, a call for applications is made through the website of the South Centre. However, applications are welcome year-round with an indication of the fields of interest and periods of availability. Interested candidates should fill in an application form and curriculum vitae to internships@southcentre.org . Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for an interview.
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| Intellectual Property Internship | |
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© 2006, South Centre, Geneva, Switzerland |
