United Nations Global Compact

Organisation Profile

The United Nations Global Compact is the world’s largest universal corporate citizenship/social responsibility initiative.  It provides a model framework for businesses that are committed to operating in accordance with the United Nations’ ten universally accepted principles in the categories of human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption.

The UN acknowledges the important role business, trade and investment play in prosperity and peace, yet in some areas, businesses can be linked with serious dilemmas such as exploitative practices, corruption, conflict, and barriers that discourage innovation and entrepreneurship.  Responsible business practices, however, can increase trust and social capital, as well as make a major contribution to sustainable development.  

As a voluntary initiative, the Global Compact has two main goals. The first is to embed the ten principles within global business culture. The second is to increase support for broader UN initiatives and goals (such as the Millennium Development Goals).

Internship Profile

The Castan Centre Intern will participate in the internship program based at the Global Compact Office in New York City.  The Office is the UN body responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Global Compact initiative.  All Global Compact interns are involved in the Global Compact’s substantive work and will undertake various tasks including:

• Research and analysis;
• Drafting and editing publications, papers and other documents;
• Organising meetings and events, and assisting in outreach activities;
• Assisting in the implementation of the Global Compact’s integrity measures, coordination of the Communication on Progress process; and
• Performing administrative tasks as assigned and handling email and other inquiries.

The work assigned to the Castan Centre Intern will have a specific human rights focus.

For more information about the UN Global Compact, visit its website at http://www.unglobalcompact.org/

Eligibility Criteria

Please click here for eligibility criteria.

Please note: Interns must have completed at least 4 years of full-time study by the start of the internship to be eligible.  It is preferable that the intern has completed corporations law prior to starting the internship.

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 their personal statement.

• Familiarity with corporate citizenship/corporate social responsibility;
• Particular interest in the activities of the Global Compact;
• A demonstrated interest in human rights as shown through your practical or academic experiences;
• 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

Other Useful Information

Former Intern report - Felicity Simons 2008-2009

For information on living and working in New York City, see the reports of former Castan Centre Global Interns at Human Rights First, also based in New York City. 

Accommodation and cost of living hints - 2006-07
Accommodation and cost of living hints - 2005-06