November, 2006
Name : Laura Bowman
Major : Religious Studies and International Studies
Internship organization: The Institute for Global Engagement
Internship Term: Spring 2006

The Institute for Global Engagement (IGE) is a “think tank with legs,” created to develop sustainable environments for religious freedom worldwide, and to inspire and equip emerging leaders with faith-based methodologies of engagement. Founded by Robert A. Seiple, the first-ever U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, IGE uniquely combines strategic analysis with an operational component that seeks solutions to complex political and religious problems in difficult parts of the world.

As an intern, I was given several different responsibilities, some of them having nothing to do with each other. One of the things I learned immediately about IGE was that each day would differ significantly from the previous one. Being flexible and open to change was key in fitting well into this organization. While there was a wide range of tasks assigned, there were also some routine tasks to be completed every week. Each Monday, I prepared a “Country Update,” which included important news events that had occurred in IGE's focus countries. This typically took about 30 minutes to do and involved scanning the news and then copying and pasting the important news stories so that the entire staff could have an update. I also handled different administrative tasks, such as answering the phone, making copies, printing brochures, delivering mail, and other office responsibilities.

Because of a lack of resources, IGE focuses their attention in only five countries that repeatedly violate international human rights laws. These are China , Vietnam , Laos , Uzbekistan , and Pakistan . Because, again, of the lack of resources, these countries were divided into two larger areas: “Southeast Asia Projects” and “Islamic World Projects.” During my time at IGE, I was assigned to the Islamic World Project Assistant, Rebecca Haines, and would do most of my tasks in that area. For example, if an organization was under consideration for partnering with the IGE projects at hand in Pakistan or Uzbekistan, but no one on staff knew much about them, it would be my job to research the group and provide a detailed analysis of strengths and weakness, along with possible “red flags” in the group. Another rolling responsibility was to go through articles and journals, read them, and then summarize the main points. Most of these articles had to do with topics such as religion in the Middle East, the war in Iraq/Afghanistan, religious freedom/tolerance in the Middle East , and Muslim-Christian-Jewish relations via dialogue, etc. Some of the more exciting tasks included obtaining the correct travel documents from the Embassy of the UAE, researching terrorist groups, and helping to arrange and successfully implement a diplomatic visit of a Vietnamese delegation.

Also on the itinerary during my time at IGE was attending conferences and talks regarding human rights or religious freedom issues. Some of these talks were arranged by IGE staff, so we as interns would be able to get a better idea of how IGE interacts with other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the D.C. area.

Before I worked within the world of promoting human rights and religious freedom, I was aware of certain atrocities that occurred to religious communities and individuals worldwide. I was, however, unaware of how extreme exposure to these atrocities (in the form of reading about, viewing images, and daily summarizing the events) would affect me. After about a month working here I realized that I was unsatisfied with the blessing of being an American. I felt it was not fair that I had food, water, protection, and the freedom to pursue a life I desire; meanwhile there are thousands if not millions of others who do not share the same blessings. One thing I learned from all these thoughts was the fact that I cannot change the world. It is not mine to change. However, I have been gifted in certain ways, and if I do not use those gifts in order to work toward a changed world, then I am committing perhaps the most brutal atrocity of them all – feigned ignorance and intentional inactivity. So I now have a new desire to work towards a world that contains more justice than injustice, more freed men than imprisoned, a higher number of fed humans than starving, and more peaceful nations than war-torn.

On my first day at the office in Ottawa I met my Member of Parliament and played a round of darts with him. I was briskly rushed off where I sat in on the last question period where Members of Parliament grill each other on particular aspects of current policies. Because I went on the last day before the House of Commons shutdown, things were quiet. My primary task in the office was to prepare voters’ calling lists that would be shipped off to Nova Scotia when the election was called.  I also answered the phones, greeted visitors and even ran the office for a few hours a couple of times.

One of the most interesting parts of being in Ottawa was participating in Professor Baker’s tours and history lessons. From him we learned the history of Canada and the government and saw many of the great culture centers Ottawa has. We went to the two major museums called the Museum of Canadian Civilization and to the National Gallery of Canada. In both museums we were escorted by a personal tour guide. Another Baker event that I enjoyed was the meeting and lunch with the Speaker of the House, Speaker Milliken. We were served a 6 course meal and toured the floor of the House of Commons. I really felt special and took many photos of this occasion.

I left Ottawa not knowing anything about campaigning except it included talking to voters and a lot of paper work and putting up signs anywhere people would see them. On an eighteen hour drive from Ottawa to Halifax the rush began. I was placed in one of the satellite campaign offices in Eastern Passage, a fishing village My duties was simply looking up phone numbers in the telephone books so phone canvassing could begin, but everyday I gained more responsibilities and soon everyone from the other branches would call me and ask about our polls.

My last task in Eastern Passage was to plan the office party prior to leaving for the NDP rally in Halifax for Jake Layton, the leader of the New Democrats Party. Things went well and I left the next day to travel back to Ottawa to finish up my time in Canada.

I have been greatly moved by this experience that it has inspired me to apply to graduate school for campaign management at New York University. I learned more lessons than a few sentences can explain. I now understand the strains and rush of government from a campaign view. Decisions were made quickly and carried out to get the maximum result. I have also greatly increased my interpersonal skills.

This was a great internship that I wish more college students could experience. With great success Peter Stoffer was reelected on May 23 with his highest victory yet, 6, 703 votes. I like to think I had a little part for his great success and plan to keep in contact with him and his office for years to come.  
 

October, 2003
Name: Sara-Daisy Johanna Dygert
Major: International Studies with a focus on
Human Rights and Social Movements in Latin America and the Caribbean
Email address: sdygert@indiana.edu
Internship organization: Witness for Peace, Nicaragua Delegation
Internship Term: June 2003

My internship story:

Witness for Peace is a politically independent, grassroots organization. We are people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. Our mission is to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing US policies and corporate practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. We stand with people who seek justice.

For eight days I devoured Nicaragua. Digestion: since June the enzymes of my mind and spirit have been trying to make sense of what I ingested. Now I can run. The Witness for Peace delegation I participated in lit the lantern on my path. I found a grassroots organization that is highly-informed, historically-rich, and driven. Witness for Peace contests harmful US policies in Latin America and the Caribbean. They currently have international teams in Cuba, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Colombia. The international teams write publications and do political activism from the point of view of those affected by damaging northern policies. Their clout as US citizens comes in handy as they raise their voices with the people of the affected country. International team members also give communities a jump start on organizing. Additionally, they organize delegations for those of us who desire to witness the truth for themselves. This serves as a springboard toward making a difference. The peaceful and dogged struggle delegates commit to is one for equity in US foreign policy. WfP’s nutshell concerns for each country are included at the end. They are taken from the website which also offers the delegation schedule and action tools. (www.witnessforpeace.org)
The delegations are expensive, but worth it especially if you can get an Honor’s College Research Grant to pay for it. You’ll have to come up with your own project besides what you would already learn on the delegation. I, for instance, am working on a publication which is an attempt to show the reader the human face of issues that can seem dry and remote. So far it is a historical rundown plus the current issues mixed with photography and Nicaraguan poetry. I am riled up. Now I can stand up to the status-quo thanks to God and Witness for Peace. What the delegation did for me was put a face to discriminatory and subjugating US policies. It is the face of a child! It is the seared-in image of sixty percent of the children of the village of El Regadío shuffling around outside of the school gate. The economically devastating effects of free trade have caused many of their parents to lose their farms, so paper and uniforms are too expensive. What’s more, their government is in a strangle hold to international financial institutions, and cannot adequately fund the most basic social spending like education and health. Because their debt (invalid, unjust, and unsustainable!) payments outweigh education and health combined, teachers and books are very scarce even if you do get past the gate.
The wealth of knowledge, frustration, outrage, hope, brotherhood that the delegation graced me with has changed me. I would not trade my experience for anything, and, God willing, plan to apply for an international team position in Nicaragua after graduation in May 2005. I would love to talk to anyone whose ears are peaked about WfP. It is a tenacious group of humans stepping together in the name of justice.

“This is how the dream bearers multiplied the world/fiercely attacked by those who bore catastrophic prophecies/They were called deluded romantics, inventors of utopias/They were told their words were old/which was true, since paradise has been an ancient memory/in the heart of humanity/Those who accumulated riches feared them/and hurled their armies against them…The dream bearers knew their power/and therefore were not surprised.” (“The Dream Bearers”, former Sandinista Gioconda Belli)

MEXICO: Witness for Peace’s work in Mexico focuses on U.S. policy and corporate practices towards this neighboring country. The issues we address include THE IMPACTS OF free trade agreements such as NAFTA, the need for corporate responsibility, the results of U.S. military aid and training, and the activities of the IMF and the World Bank in Mexico.
COLOMBIA: For decades, Colombia has endured a brutal armed conflict between the nation's army, leftist guerilla movements, and right wing paramilitary groups. Overwhelmingly, the victims of this conflict have been civilians. Into this country wracked by violence, the U.S. has decided to send billions of dollars in mostly military aid and training, but also with substantial funding for aerial eradication of coca crops.
CUBA: Heeding the call from our Cuban partners, Witness for Peace began working in Cuba in March of 1999. Our primary goal in Cuba is to bear firsthand witness to the impacts of the 42 year-old U.S. embargo on Cuba, and build a movement to defeat this failing and destructive policy. Delegations challenge North Americans to learn not only about Cuba's reality but also the complex forces at work that shape our understandings and misconceptions of our island neighbor.
NICARAGUA: Based in Managua, Nicaragua, Witness for Peace has maintained a permanent presence in this Central American country since 1983. Over the years, WFP has examined and challenged unjust U.S. policies and corporate practices that hurt the poor majority in Nicaragua.