Israel Democracy Institute

Organisation Profile

IDI is an independent, non-partisan "Think-and-Do Tank" that devises ways to strengthen the moral and structural foundations of Israeli democracy. While Israel's policymakers are consumed by crisis management, the Institute sets the nation's best minds to work on the long-term challenges facing the State in realms such as Political Reform, National Security, Religion and State, and Constitutional Law. IDI acts as a generator of ideas, conducting comparative policy research of uncompromising quality on the issues critical to Israel's democratic future. It is also a valuable resource for policymakers as it designs research-based blueprints for reform accompanied by practical implementation strategies. IDI maintains an open forum for constructive dialogue and consensus-building across society and government and is a source of inspiration promoting the values and norms appropriate for Israel as a Jewish and democratic state

Intern Profile

The Castan Centre Global Intern will conduct research work for IDI projects. In particular, interns will most likely work on IDI's National Security and Democracy project. The project focuses on the ability of democratic countries to deal with the phenomenon of terrorism. The purpose of the research is to recommend new, practical means of conducting an uncompromising fights against terrorism and, at the same time, minimizing the accompanying violations of human rights.

Where, does the border lie between legitimate security needs and drastic violation of individual rights in a democracy? Are all available methods justified in a war on terror? Or, conversely, do democracy's tools of laws and courts offer a sufficient response to the growing threat of terrorism-and if not, how can these tools be developed without overly restricting individual rights? 

In its research, the team will be focusing on how the struggle against terrorism has changed in recent years and how countries (Israel in particular) have responded to these changes. It will explore the new balances that need to be struck between the looming danger of terrorism and the democratic way of life and values. In addition, the IDI has created a regular forum of experts in law, security, and sociology that meets about once a month to discuss specific issues raised in the research. Among the topics addressed by the forum to date are targeted killings, administrative detention, judicial handling of terrorism-related cases, and strategic approaches to the threat of terrorism. The IDI will publish the forum's discussions and recommendations, together with articles and position papers prepared by the research team.

The research team has also compiled a comprehensive database of methods employed by the State of Israel to combat terrorism, as well as key legislation and court judgments related to these methods. The team will soon be supplementing the databank with its positions papers, references to professional literature on the subject, and a survey of methods used by other countries (mainly the U.S. and Britain) to fight terrorism.

For more information on IDI or the National Security and Democracy program, please visit their website: www.idi.org.il

Elegibility Criteria

Please click here for eligibility criteria.

Selection Criteria

The following selection criteria will be taken into account by the Castan Centre in choosing the intern and applicants are advised to directly address each criterion in the personal statement.

• A demonstrated interest in human rights as shown through your practical or academic experiences;
• Particular interest in the work currently undertaken by IDI;
• Strong academic record, in particular marks received in human rights and other relevant subjects;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Application Process

This internship is part of the Castan Centre for Human Rights Law's Global Internship Program.  For full details of the application process, go to the Global Internship homepage.

Equity grants

The Student Mobility Equity Grants have been developed as part of the Law Faculty Student Mobility Fund to provide financial assistance for faculty internship programs to those students who can demonstrate financial hardship. Students are advised to apply for Equity Grants by the Equity Grant application deadline of 20 August 2010. Contact Cathy Meredith (below) for more details about Equity Grants.

Contact information

If you would like further information about this internship please contact:

Forms

Global Internship Application Form