Australian Delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council Internship

Organisation profile

The Monash Castan Centre for Human Rights Law has developed this program to enable undergraduate Law students to join the Australian delegation to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC). The Council sits for six weeks each year, from March to April, and has primary responsibility in the UN for matters concerning human rights. It is a governmental forum, where member states of the UN negotiate on human rights resolutions and determine the programs the Office of the High Commission on Human Rights will undertake for the following year.

In 2006, it replaced the Commission on Human Rights. The Council is comprised of Member states and Observer states. Australia is an observer state.

Governmental delegations are made up of the following Geneva based diplomats

• The Ambassador
• The Deputy Permanent Representatives
• First Secretaries
• Support Staff
• Interns

Other Australian Diplomats may join the Delegation for part of the Council. The Delegation is in continuous contact with DFAT in Canberra, and Australian Embassies worldwide, regarding Australia’s position on issues which may arise in the Commission. Non government organisations (NGO) have observer status for the Commission, as do inter-governmental organisations (IGO). A number of delegations, governmental, NGO and IGO include interns in their delegations.  

The following websites may be helpful to understand the nature of the internship:

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Australian Permanent Mission in Geneva
Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights

Eligibility criteria

Please click here for the 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 being undertaken by the United Nations Human Rights Council';
• 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 Fund (SMF) has been developed to provide financial assistance for faculty internship programs to those students who can demonstrate financial hardship. 

Contact information

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

Forms

Global Internship Application Form

Other Useful information

Past intern report - Marianna Linnik 2009
Past intern report - Jihan Mirza 2008
Past intern report - Bridi Rice 2007
Past intern report - Simone Cusack 2005

Accommodation and cost of living hints Geneva - Jihan Mirza 2008
Accommodation and cost of living hints Geneva - Bridi Rice 2007