Forming a High Level Expert Group to Strengthen Global Gender Justice

INEQUALITIES

Forming a High Level Expert Group to Strengthen Global Gender Justice

In a groundbreaking initiative to address gender-based injustices, the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice at New York University School of Law together with the American Society of International Law, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School’s Women, Law, and Leadership Project and the University of Oxford’s Bonavero Institute for Human Rights formed the High-Level Expert Group on Gender Persecution and Gender Apartheid. 

The High-Level Expert Group is led by Baroness Helena Kennedy of The Shaws KC, a Member of the House of Lords and founder of the Bonavero Institute of Human Rights; Catherine Amirfar, Partner and Co-Chair of the International Disputes Resolution Group and Public International Law Group at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; Rangita de Silva de Alwis, a Senior Fellow at Penn Carey Law and Member of CEDAW; and Ghizal Haress, a former Ombudsperson for the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and visiting professor at the University of Toronto. 

The group is comprised of an esteemed array of global experts and human rights defenders who bring to bear a wealth of knowledge and expertise, including José E. Alvarez, NYU School of Law Herbert and Rose Rubin Professor of International Law.

The High-Level Expert Group seeks to address gaps in the existing international legal framework addressing gender-based crimes, including by examining the basis for gender apartheid and gender persecution under international law, developing the definitions and framework for addressing these crimes, advancing accountability efforts against perpetrators of gender-based crimes, and centering the voices of victims and those directly affected by gender apartheid and gender persecution.

Through this newly-launched initiative, NYU Law students have the opportunity through research to be part of the ongoing efforts to achieve justice for victims of gender-based apartheid and/or persecution around the world. A myriad of legal research assignments on topics ranging from gender-based crimes under international law to human rights protections against gender-based discrimination will be carried under the direct supervision of pro-bono attorneys at a local NY firm supervised by Prof. Alvarez. 

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August 28, 2024 Youssef Farhat Student Program  

Transitional Justice Leadership Program

STUDENTS
Transitional Justice Leadership Program

Each year, the Center selects a cohort of incoming NYU Law LLM students to take part in the Transitional Justice Leadership Program.

Developed in consultation with prominent figures in the transitional justice field, the program provides an opportunity for NYU Law LLM students to engage through coursework, scholarship, and internships with the Center’s Prevention Project which:

  • seeks to transform prevention practices through research, conceptual clarification, and integration of knowledge and expertise
  • engages diverse stakeholders to develop a comprehensive prevention framework of evidence-based approaches and initiatives with proven preventive potential.

This program offered me an unmatched opportunity to develop my expertise in this vibrant field and to move my career toward the next stages. 

Jorge Carlos Peniche Baqueiro, Transitional Justice Scholar 2016-2017

Program

Coursework

Senior Fellow and Professor de Greiff who served as UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence (May 2012-May 2018) leads the Transitional Justice Program and teaches the associated course.

  • The course offers insight into the legal, moral, and political questions governments and civil society must confront as they seek to come to terms with a legacy of human rights violations.
  • Students admitted to the leadership program are guaranteed enrollment and are required to take the course.

Students not selected for the program may still register for the course through the normal registration process; however, as with all NYU Law courses, enrollment for those outside the program is not guaranteed.

Monthly meetings

Following the orientation session, scholars will take leadership in organizing, leading and hosting monthly meetings at the Center. These will take the form of discussions with experts and writing workshops, as well as other activities. 

Scholarship

Scholarship is vital to preparing students for careers in transitional justice. Scholars are expected to develop original works of legal scholarship to submit to the annual Emerging Scholars Conference, a forum that provides students with the unique opportunity to receive detailed feedback from experts and peers in order to prepare work of publishable quality. 

Internships, fellowship and research

  • Scholars receive guidance in obtaining academic-year internships and research opportunities with human rights organizations such as the International Center for Transitional Justice.
  • NYU Funding to pursue opportunities in a variety of transitional justice institutions, such as truth commissions, courts, reparations programs, and local human rights organizations in countries throughout the world, is available through the International Law and Human Rights Student Fellowship.

Eligibility

  • All interested LLM students enrolled at NYU School of Law are encouraged to apply.

Timeline

  • Recruitment for the 2024-2025 cycle is now closed.
  • Applications are open in August of each year. 

Application

The following documents will be required to be submitted via the application form:

  • CV or NYU Resume
  • Cover letter detailing your qualifications, specific interests, and any relevant background or experience where applicable (max 500 words)
  • Relevant English-language writing sample (10 pages max, excerpts acceptable)
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March 10, 2024 Dev Account Student Program  

International Law and Human Rights Fellowship

STUDENTS
International Law and Human Rights Fellowship

Since 2002, the International Law and Human Rights (ILHR) Fellowship Program offers enrolled NYU School of Law students an opportunity to complete a specialized training program in international law and undertake a summer internship through a matching process at a leading institution or organization. Students are also encouraged to complete a research project growing out of that work experience.

Together with coursework, topical events and informal opportunities for networking, this program:

  • Offers critical learning opportunities that introduce students to the global practice of human rights.
  • Provides students with the type of professional experience and connections that have proved essential for them to pursue human rights careers over the years.

The fellowship is undertaken with funding support from the Public Interest Law Center, and in partnership with the Institute for International Law and Justice.

My fellowship transformed my commitment to human rights from an abstract ideal into a tangible pursuit. Through this hands-on experience, I was exposed to the real-world complexities of advocacy work, challenging my assumptions and the theory we learned in the classroom. It wasn’t just a fellowship; it was the bridge between aspiration and action. 

Jasper Kamradt, ILHR Fellow 2024

2025 Program

Placements

A 10-12 week funded internship to take place either in Summer or Fall semesters at an organization working in human rights or international law. The participating organizations are outlined in the 2025 Placement document providing details about the duration (10 or 12 weeks) and type (in-person or virtual) of placement, timing (Summer or Fall), modality, and scope of work and skills required. 

Financial Award

Pre-placement

  • Depending on the fellowship’s track and placement, preparation and training in the form of course requirements and a series of not-for-credit seminars in the Spring semester are required. 
  • Review the Call for Applications for terms and conditions

Post-placement

  • Fellows present and participate in the Center’s Emerging Scholars Conference reflecting on their engagements and learning experiences. They are also encouraged to undertake a research project inspired by the fellowship on an international law or human rights issue. Parameters to be determined in agreement with academic supervisors. 
  • Review the Call for Applications for terms and conditions

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled NYU Law Student in any degree program (JD, LLM, JSD)
  • Demonstrate commitment to human rights and social justice
  • Have excellent research and writing skills
  • Able to work independently in a professional environment
  • Demonstrate potential for engage and rigorous scholarship or applied research

Review the Call for Applications for terms and conditions.

Timeline

The application cycle for Summer 2025/Fall 2025 is now open.

  • Application deadline: October 28, 2024
  • Interviews: November 6-8, 2024 
  • Selection and confirmation: First week of December; no later than January 31, 2025
  • Pre-placement coursework and not-for-credit seminars will convene in the Spring semester.

Application

Use your NYU credentials to log in and submit this application form:

  • CV or NYU Resume
  • Recent unofficial transcript
  • Cover letter detailing your qualifications, specific interests, and any relevant background or experience where applicable (max 500 words)
  • Review 2025 Placement document and select Placement Organizations (min. 1; max. 3)
  • Placement Statement of Interest tailored to each organization

Info Session

1L & 2L Summer International Internships Information Session

October 17, 2024 | 4:35 – 5:35pm | Vanderbilt Hall, Room 214

This info session is facilitated by PILC and allows you to learn more about the ILHR program and ask any questions about the fellowship or application process.

Call for applications
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February 26, 2024 Dev Account Student Program  

Human Rights Scholars

STUDENTS

Human Rights Scholars

The Center provides current NYU School of Law students with an opportunity to contribute to our activities as research assistants, and be integrated into our community of staff, faculty, visiting scholars, and students through invitations to events, research workshops, and expert convening.

Whether during one semester or through the academic year, the Human Rights Scholars work with faculty and staff to further the Center’s research agenda and to support the design and implementation of our projects, workshops, and programs including legal research, writing and advocacy.

Program 

Projects and Positions

The Center houses many initiatives; the projects recruiting scholar positions are listed in a document during the recruitment cycle.

Each scholar will work with a designated Center faculty and staff to further our line of work, and support the design and implementation of the relevant projects, workshops, and other programming.  

Scholarship

Scholarship is vital to preparing students for careers in human rights. Students:

  • who are interested in working on their own academic research projects are encouraged to apply,
  • will benefit from guidance and feedback from the Center’s faculty,
  • could earn academic credit, at the discretion of their supervisor through NYU’s Directed Research program or through enrollment in a course with a writing component taught by a Center’s faculty,
  • and will be encouraged to submit contributions to the annual Emerging Scholars Conference, a forum that provides students with the unique opportunity to receive detailed feedback from experts and peers in order to prepare work of publishable quality.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be enrolled NYU Law Student in any degree program (JD, LLM, JSD)
  • Demonstrate commitment to human rights and social justice
  • Have excellent research and writing skills
  • Able to work independently in a professional environment
  • Demonstrate potential for engage and rigorous scholarship or applied research

Terms

The program begins in the Fall semester and continues through the academic year.

Human Rights Scholars at the Center will be:

  • either compensated at $16.00/hour
  • or undertake work for RA academic credit; please note that 1L students are ineligible to be RAs for credit.

Workloads will vary by project, and will be assigned on an as-needed basis. All applicants should be prepared to contribute:

  • a minimum of 60 hours per semester
  • with a maximum of 20 hours per week of RA assistance.

Timeline

  • Recruitment for the 2024-2025 cycle is now closed.
  • Applications are open in August of each year.

Application

The following documents will be required to be submitted via an application form:

  • CV or NYU Resume
  • Recent unofficial transcript
  • Cover letter detailing your qualifications, specific interests, and any relevant background or experience where applicable (max 500 words)
  • English-language writing sample (10 pages max, excerpts acceptable)
  • Identify projects of interest associated with the program
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February 26, 2024 Dev Account Student Program  

Summer Internship Program

STUDENTS

Summer Internship Program

The Center hosts an internship program each Summer providing NYU and non-NYU students or recent law graduates with an opportunity to contribute to our activities as research assistants, and be integrated into our community of staff, faculty, visiting scholars, and students through invitations to events, research workshops, and expert convening.

Over 10 weeks from May to August, the summer interns will:

  • attend preparatory and closing expert led-workshops,
  • work with faculty and staff to further the Center’s research agenda and to support the design and implementation of our projects, workshops, and programs including legal research, writing and advocacy.

Program

Projects and Positions

The Center houses many initiatives; the projects recruiting intern positions will be shared including a detailed scope of work.

Each scholar will work with a designated Center faculty and staff to further our line of work, and support the design and implementation of the relevant projects, workshops, and other programming.

Eligibility

The Summer Internship program is open to NYU and non-NYU Law students or recent law graduates. Applicants must:

  • Be an enrolled student or recent graduate in any Law degree program (JD, LLM, JSD)
  • Be eligible to intern in the U.S.
  • Demonstrate commitment to human rights and social justice
  • Have excellent analytical, research and writing skills
  • Demonstrate potential for engagement and rigorous scholarship or applied research
  • Have knowledge of the international legal system
  • Be able to work independently and with people from diverse backgrounds, including partner organizations
  • Project-specific requirements can be found in the call for applications.

Terms

The Summer Internship program will be in session from May to August.

As this internship is unpaid, candidates are encouraged to seek funding from their Public Interest Law Centers and other sources. 

Timeline

The application cycle for Summer 2024 is now closed. Recruitment for the following conference takes place in February of each Spring semester.

Application

The following documents will be required to be submitted via an application form:

  • Cover letter detailing your qualifications, specific interests, and any relevant background or experience where applicable (max 500 words)
  • CV or NYU Resume
  • Recent unofficial transcript
  • English-language writing sample (10 pages max, excerpts acceptable)
  • Names and contact information of two references
  • Review and select projects and positions of interest.
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February 26, 2024 Dev Account Student Program  

Emerging Scholars Conference

STUDENTS

Emerging Scholars Conference

Since 2003, the conference has become a cornerstone of the NYU human rights experience, fostering a culture of appreciation for high-quality, engaged scholarship among the law school’s human rights community. Students present original papers and receive expert feedback in a constructive, collaborative setting.

The Conference is an opportunity for all NYU School of Law students to submit and present papers on international law and human rights issues and gain valuable feedback on their work.

  • Submissions will be reviewed and select papers are accepted into the conference’s program.
  • Accepted papers are shared with an interdisciplinary group of scholars and practitioners for feedback.
  • Presenters and commentators will engage in discussions around the paper at the event.
  • An outstanding paper receives the Global Justice Emerging Scholar Essay Award which entails an award certificate and a commitment from the organizing team to support the publication of their paper.

Papers presented at this conference have gone on to be published in quality journals, including the Canadian Yearbook of International Law, the Journal of International Criminal Justice, and the NYU Journal of International Law and Politics.

The Center hosts the Emerging Scholars Conference each Spring in partnership with the Institute for International Law and Justice.

Eligibility

All currently enrolled full-time students at NYU Law are eligible to submit a paper.

Students associated with the Center for Human Rights and Global Justice as Human Rights Scholar or Fellows through the International Law and Human Rights Fellowship (2023 or 2024) are highly encouraged to submit a paper for presentation.

Timeline

The submission cycle for 2024 conference is now closed. Recruitment for the following conference takes place in February of each Spring semester.

Submission

The following documents will be required to be submitted via an application form:

  • Short bio
  • Abstract
  • Final Paper Draft
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February 26, 2024 Dev Account Student Program