Global Trade Watch Internship
GLOBAL TRADE WATCH: Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch (GTW) is the nation’s leading public interest organization fighting for fair trade. We work simultaneously on the international, national and grassroots levels with a team comprised of organizers, researchers, communications staff and lobbyists. GTW is now a global leader in the campaign against the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a massive proposed deal that would undermine Internet freedom, American jobs, the environment and food safety.
GTW’s mission is to ensure that, in this era of globalization, a majority have the opportunity to enjoy America’s promises: economic security; a clean environment; safe food, medicines and products; access to quality affordable services such as health care and the exercise of democratic decision-making about the matters that affect their lives. Public Citizen started working on globalization and “trade” issues in 1991 when we recognized that we had to do so just to defend the environmental, health and safety and economic justice gains Public Citizen had won over decades. We learned that today’s “trade” agreements, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), were no longer mainly about trade. Rather these far-reaching agreements were backdoor delivery mechanisms for many damaging policies that citizen activism had defeated when attempted in Congress or state legislatures.
Since its inception in 1995, GTW has been a leader in popularizing the trade debate by connecting seemingly arcane “trade” policies to peoples’ everyday experiences – and helping people make a difference in the future of “globalization” by giving them the tools they need to educate their communities, hold Congress accountable, and hit the streets to protest. For more information, please see our website: www.tradewatch.org
DESCRIPTION: Interns are an integral part of the Global Trade Watch team. A Global Trade Watch internship can include research assistance, assisting with grassroots organizing, media outreach, and working with U.S. and international nongovernmental organizations. Interns are also likely to assist lobbying efforts and each week will attend congressional hearings, think tank briefings or other events as the eyes and ears of GTW. All interns are expected to do administrative support work, but they are generally assigned to specific projects according to their interests and qualifications, and often have the opportunity work closely with staff on these projects. Applicants fluent in foreign languages, particularly Spanish, are especially encouraged to apply, as we do a great deal of grassroots work with organizations from other countries.
QUALIFICATIONS: Research, writing and computer skills necessary. Prior study and/or interest in the environment, international trade, globalization, economics, law/pre-law, and/or social justice desirable, as well as an awareness of current events. Familiarity with office procedures helpful. This internship is intended primarily for undergraduate students.
CAPABILITIES: Well organized and willing to learn; ability to work on a team, perform well under pressure, and adapt to rapidly changing situations.
CONDITIONS: Walking two flights of stairs and several blocks to and from congressional offices. Non-smoking workplace.
EXPECTATIONS: We expect that interns be able to work a minimum of 30 hours a week. Our internships generally follow the academic calendar (beginning and ending with each semester,) but there is some flexibility within that. We request a least an 8-week commitment, though interns may request to remain longer than one semester.
COMPENSATION: Most internships are UNPAID, though academic credit can be arranged.
PLEASE NOTE: We are currently seeking interns for Fall 2013. Please include your availability in your application.
HOW TO APPLY: We accept applications on a rolling basis. Send resume, cover letter and a brief writing sample to: Intern Coordinator Global Trade Watch 215 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, 3rd floor Washington, D.C., 20003 FAX: (202) 547-7392 or email: GTWinfo@citizen.org (No phone calls, please.) Public Citizen strongly urges people of color to apply for all staff positions.