Applications for the 2016 Humanity in Action Fellowships are now open.

All applications from Europeans are due on February 14, 2016.

Information on the Humanity in Action Fellowships 2016

Humanity in Action Germany invites applications from university students and young professionals to take part in one of four international Humanity in Action Fellowship programs in Berlin, Copenhagen, Warsaw or Atlanta/USA in the early summer of 2016.

Applicants need to be open-minded, widely interested, willing to take over societal responsibility and committed to promoting human rights, pluralism, diversity and active citizenship.

Intensive and demanding, the Humanity in Action Fellowship programs bring together international groups of university students and recent graduates to explore national histories of discrimination and resistance as well as issues affecting different minority groups today.

The objective of the Humanity in Action Fellowship programs is to facilitate a collective exploration of the social and political roots of discrimination, as well as to provide a forum where potential solutions to some of today’s most challenging human rights issues can be considered and discussed. The programs are also intended to instill a responsibility among Humanity in Action Fellows to recognize and address the need to protect minorities and promote human rights – in their own communities and around the world.

The Fellowship programs seek to educate, connect and inspire future leaders in the fields of human rights and social justice.

Educate: Each Fellowship program is highly interdisciplinary and features lectures and discussions with renowned academics, journalists, politicians and activists, as well as site visits to government agencies, non-profit and community organizations, museums and memorials. The programs seek to highlight different models of action to remedy injustice.They also aim to instill a responsibility among Fellows to recognize and address the need to protect minorities and promote human rights—in their own communities and around the world.

Connect: Fellows from diverse backgrounds connect with one another and with established leaders who serve as program speakers. Additionally, Senior Fellows, the alumni of the Humanity in Action Fellowship, participate in Humanity in Action’s international network. Fellows have access to HIA Connect, an online platform where Humanity in Action’s network of more than 1,500 Fellows and Senior Fellows connect, share information and remain active in the issues addressed during the Fellowship.

Inspire: After completing the Humanity in Action Fellowship, Fellows have one year to initiate Action Projects on important issues within their own communities. These Action Projects allow Fellows to apply the knowledge and skills they gained from their Fellowship experiences.

To support the professional growth of its Fellows beyond their Fellowship experience, Humanity in Action also offers ongoing opportunities, including professional fellowships in the US Congress and the European Parliament as well as annual international conferences and study trips.

In an effort to support civil society projects initiated by Senior Fellows, Humanity in Action furthermore continuously offers funding opportunities for the realization of such.

European Fellowship Programs in Berlin, Copenhagen and Warsaw

Humanity in Action Germany invites students and young professionals to apply for Fellowship programs in Berlin, Copenhagen and Warsaw. They take place between May 27 and June 26, 2016. Applications are due on February 14, 2016.

APPLY NOW FOR BERLIN, COPENHAGEN AND/OR WARSAW

Around 20 international participants from Europe and the United States examine questions of identity, culture of remembrance, Europe’s unique history during the Second World War and the Holocaust with a view to present-day tensions related to minority groups on the continent. Humanity in Action’s Fellowship programs concern human rights generally, but they focus specifically on the relationship between majority and minority groups in the countries in which the programs take place.

Key areas of the Fellowship programs include national identity formations, immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, xenophobia, Antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism, political extremism and discrimination against Roma. The Fellowship programs are designed as an interdisciplinary human rights dialogue with experts, policy makers, stakeholders and actors of civil society.

The Fellowship programs in Berlin, Copenhagen and Warsaw will end with the 7th International Annual Conference of Humanity in Action, which will take place in Athens/Greece from June 23 to June 26, 2016. Around 110 participants of the five European Humanity in Action Fellowship programs, which take place simultaneously in Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Paris and Warsaw, as well as the international alumni network of Humanity in Action will spend this conference together. All conference related costs (including travel, accommodation and meals) are covered by Humanity in Action.

Applicants need to be fluent in English and demonstrate a strong commitment to promote human rights.

Click here for detailed information concerning the programs in Berlin / Copenhagen / Warsaw.

John Lewis Fellowship in Atlanta / United States

Humanity in Action Germany invites students and young professionals to apply for the international John Lewis Fellowship Program of Humanity in Action which will take place from July 5 to July 31, 2016, in Atlanta, Georgia/USA.

Applications are due on February 14, 2016. Humanity in Action Germany will select two participants from Germany to take part in the John Lewis Fellowship program, which is conducted in partnership with The National Center for Civil and Human Rights, Inc.

APPLY NOW FOR ATLANTA

The program will bring together a group of altogether 30 American and European university students and recent graduates for an intensive program that examines pluralism, diversity and civil rights in America. The John Lewis Fellows will attend discussions with renowned scholars and activists, visit historical sites around Atlanta and engage in discussions on a range of political and social issues.

Key areas of inquiry include race and racism, immigration, national identity, Native American issues and the relationship between civil rights and human rights.

In addition to fluency in English and a proven interest and commitment for human rights-related matters, candidates will need to demonstrate a solid understanding of the above mentioned issues in the context of the United States.

Click here for detailed information concerning the John Lewis Fellowship.

Eligibility

Eligible to apply for the Fellowship Programs in Atlanta, Berlin, Copenhagen and Warsaw are:

Under- and postgraduate students from all fields of studies who are currently enrolled at a German university and who hold German citizenship or are permanent residents of Germany (i.e. born and/or raised in Germany)
Under- and postgraduate students who study abroad and who hold German citizenship or are permanent residents of Germany (i.e. born and/or raised in Germany)
Graduates who completed their studies in 2014 or later at a German or foreign university and who hold German citizenship or are permanent residents of Germany (i.e. born and/or raised in Germany)
Students from abroad who are studying at a German university and have lived in Germany for at least two years are encouraged to apply if they also speak fluent German in addition to English. (please note that short-term exchange students in Germany are not eligible)
International students from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Denmark, France, Greece, the Netherlands, the USA and Poland are eligible to apply for the Humanity in Action Fellowship programs via a separate application process.
Proficiency in English is required.

Applicants need to demonstrate a great interest and commitment in promoting human rights, pluralism, diversity as well as active and responsible citizenship. Successful candidates possess the following characteristics:

Intellectual Curiosity: Humanity in Action seeks candidates who are eager to discuss in international groups a range of historical and contemporary topics that drive, challenge and impact diverse societies. This means that participants should be eager to stretch their understanding of these issues beyond their own national contexts and specific fields of study.

Collaborative Spirit: Humanity in Action seeks candidates who thrive in collaborative settings and enjoy discussing challenging issues in culturally and internationally diverse groups. Humanity in Action’s pedagogy is based upon collective and intellectually demanding discussion with speakers and peers. Participants must possess the social maturity and skills to discuss sensitive topics.

Open-mindedness: Humanity in Action seeks candidates who are open to challenging their personal convictions and eager to explore international perspectives.

Humanity in Action does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, political party, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or financial ability. Humanity in Action strongly encourages applicants of a minority background to apply.

Selection Process

The selection committee is composed of Humanity in Action Alumni (Senior Fellows), board members and staff members of Humanity in Action Germany. The selection process has two stages: After reviewing the written applications, a first pre-selection will be made (finalists). In a second step, these finalists will be invited to a personal or virtual interview. The selection process is completed no later than the end of March 2016.

Obligations and Opportunities

Prior to the Fellowship Program:

Applicants should be aware that all the selected candidates will receive a reading list one month in advance of the Fellowship programs. Humanity in Action expects its Fellows to have read and engaged with these articles and texts by the time the Fellowship program starts.

During the Fellowship Program:

Applicants should be aware that the programs are intensely challenging on intellectual, social and emotional levels. Full-time commitment is required from every participant during the four weeks of the program. The Humanity in Action groups in each country represent, on a small scale, the larger societies to which individuals belong. We expect respectful debate and dissent as minority opinions are aired. To probe these matters and engage in learning and growth, the programs expect and require maturity, openness, hard work and a generosity of spirit from each of the Fellows.

After the Fellowship:

Action Projects: „Action Projects“ are an integral part of the Humanity in Action Fellowship. Selected Fellows are obliged to implement an Action Project within a year after their participation in the Fellowship program. These projects will be developed with the aim of having a direct impact on the human rights situation in the local community of the participant. These Action Projects allow Fellows to apply the knowledge and skills they gained from their Fellowship experiences.

Click here for examples of action projects that were implemented by Fellows in the last years.

Senior Fellow Network: Fellows are invited to participate in the Humanity in Action Senior Fellow Network. Fellows have access to HIA Connect, an online platform where Humanity in Action’s network of more than 1,500 Fellows and Senior Fellows share information and remain active in the issues addressed during the Fellowship.

Ongoing Professional Opportunities: To support the professional growth of Fellows beyond the Fellowship, Humanity in Action offers ongoing opportunities, including professional fellowships in the United States Congress and the European Parliament as well as annual international conferences and study trips. In an effort to support civil society projects initiated by Senior Fellows, Humanity in Action furthermore continuously offers funding opportunities for the realization of such.

Follow this link to learn more about the obligations and opportunities after the Humanity in Action Fellowship.

Questions or Concerns?

In case of any upcoming questions or concerns regarding any of the above please do not hesitate to get in touch with Johannes Lukas Gartner or Luisa Maria Schweizer (Tel: +49 (0)30 44308271, email: j.gartner[at]humanityinaction.org, l.schweizer[at]humanityinaction.org).

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