colombia

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The Fellowship of Reconciliation, founded in 1914, is an interfaith peace organization that seeks to replace violence, war, racism and economic injustice with nonviolence, peace and justice. We are in an interfaith organization committed to active nonviolence as a transforming way of life and as a means or radical change. FOR educates, trains, builds coalitions and engages in nonviolent and compassionate actions locally, nationally and globally.

The FOR Colombia Program was created in 2001 to support the Peace Community of San José de Apartadó, Colombia in their strong commitment to justice and nonviolence, and to inform and involve concerned US citizens about the conflict in Colombia, US policy towards it, and about nonviolent alternatives to the war and political violence.

In February 2002, FOR volunteers began accompanying San José de Apartadó as human rights observers on behalf of the international community. Through accompaniment, FOR’s Colombia Peace Presence volunteers increase the safety of the community and provide moral support for its members. In 2005, FOR opened an office in Bogotá to support and raise the visibility of other Colombian other peace communities and initiatives committed to nonviolence, such as the Medellín Youth Network, Antioquia Peasant Association and the women’s group AMOR.

I. Definition: The Colombia Program Freeman Intern will assist the FOR Colombia Program to support Colombian peace communities and initiatives, through public education, advocacy, and human rights accompaniment projects.

II. Nature and Scope of Work. Typical Tasks May Include:

Assist in organizing one to two delegations to Colombia (summer 2007 and potentially one other) aimed at increasing awareness and solidarity with Colombian peace initiatives among US communities.
Assist in organizing speaking tours in the United States by returned FOR volunteers from Colombia and/or Colombian activists and community leaders.
Assist in organizing FOR Colombia Program’s participation at the School of the Americas annual vigil (November 2006).
Development and coordination of a project to be determined by the intern, with support from Colombia Program staff, as part the program.
Assistance with production of monthly Colombia Update or other publications, which may include research and writing, co-writing or translating articles, as well as coordinating or assisting with mailing.
Organize the photo exhibit “Resistance Unarmed”, seek new venues, coordinate agreements, and arrange transfer of exhibit itself and supporting material.
Assist in grant proposal writing, house party organizing and other fundraising activities.
Assistance with and participation in human rights accompaniment volunteer training, (Fall 2006) and volunteer recruitment.
Maintenance of e-mail addresses and other contact information of activists for Colombia Program database and list-serves.
Participation in FOR Youth Task Force and in FOR staff retreats and meetings.

III. Responsibilities: The Latin America and Caribbean intern is responsible for supporting the development of the FOR Colombia Program, including reports, updates, brochures, flyers and photo projects to highlight Colombian peace communities and initiatives, as well as participation in national coalitions on Colombia, each aimed at increasing awareness of peace alternatives in Colombia and U.S. policy.

IV. Qualifications:

Strong commitment to faith-based nonviolence, multiculturalism and the mission and vision of FOR.
Good interpersonal skills: ability to relate to and communicate with other staff and other peace and justice organizations.
Strong communication skills, both oral and written. Experience in public speaking desirable.
Ability to work on Mac OS 9 and X platforms.
Fluency in Spanish very desirable.
Ability to organize programs, gatherings and publications.
Ability to work independently on projects.
Experience with advocacy and with outreach to potential supporters desirable.
Familiarity with fundraising initiatives highly desirable.

V. Terms of Employment

Affirmative Action: The FOR is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks inclusion of women, people of color, religious minorities, gays and lesbians throughout its staff and communities.

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