21 January 2022.
The Centre for Law and Democracy (CLD), an international human rights organisation based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, will host up to four interns for the summer of 2022. The position will involve a range of substantive legal work in areas such as freedom of expression, media law, digital rights and access to information.
CLD provides expert legal services on foundational rights for democracy for the support and promotion of these rights around the world. Select recent projects include:
-
- Providing training and support to journalists, lawyers, judges and activists in countries around the world on media law and human rights issues.
- Maintaining a comprehensive rating of the strength of access to information laws globally (rti-rating.org).
- Providing training and support to journalists, lawyers, judges and activists in different countries on media law and human rights issues.
- Providing expert input into legal reform processes in different countries, such as in including Vietnam, Samoa and Jordan.
- Supporting strategic litigation on the human rights issues we focus on.
- Supporting the development of networks of media lawyers in several countries globally.
- Maintaining a global ranking of right to information laws (RTI-Rating.org) and a methodology for assessing the quality of implementation of right to information laws (RTI-Evaluation.org).
- Campaigning against global threats to digital rights, such as mass surveillance, Internet shutdowns and efforts to undermine encryption and digital security.
We ask interns to commit to at least three months full-time work during the months of May to August. We normally ask interns to be based in our office in Halifax, since we believe being with us in-person provides a richer all-round experience for interns. However, given the ongoing pandemic, we will accommodate remote internships if necessitated by travel restrictions or other pandemic-related restrictions. These positions are unpaid and we encourage prospective interns to seek funding from their law schools or other sources.
CLD is known for providing its interns with a rich and varied substantive legal experience. As such, interns will have the opportunity to be directly involved in advancing the cause of human rights, normally in a range of countries, over the summer. For more information on CLD’s work, visit our website at www.law-democracy.org.
Those interested in applying should send a copy of their resume, cover letter and unofficial law school transcripts to laura@law-democracy.org by 15 February 2022. Final candidates may be asked to provide a writing sample.
Successful candidates will have a strong academic record, excellent research skills, the ability to multi-task, and a demonstrated commitment to international law and human rights. Languages and international experience are assets. Applicants should be current law students or recent graduates; on an exceptional basis we will consider candidates without a law background.
CLD is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of characteristics such as age, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion or sexual orientation.
