Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
Human Rights News & Events

WCL Events

1. PHI ALPHA DELTA'S THANKSGIVING FOOD DRIVE
   Nov. 9-19th, WCL Lobby
   Phi Alpha Delta's Thanksgiving food drive is taking place at WCL to benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. Did you know? About 92,000 - nearly one out of every six - D. residents live in poverty, including 25,500 children. That's one out of every five children. The Capital Area Food Bank annually distributes 23 million pounds of food to more than 383,000 people in the greater DC Metro area, and "works to educate, empower and enlighten the community about the issues of hunger and nutrition." How can you help? Donate canned foods and non-perishable items, deposit items in designated bins in the WCL lobby and on the 6th floor or join tens of thousands of walkers in the 22nd Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon on Sat., Nov. 21st. For more information on the walk and to check out CAFB's most wanted items list, please visit http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org.
   
   
2. JUVENILE SENTENCING: LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE CRUEL & UNUSUAL OR NECESSARY & APPROPRIATE?
   Thurs., Nov. 19th, 6-8:00pm, Rm. 602
   The Criminal Law Society and Criminal Law Brief are hosting a panel on the issue of juveniles receiving life without parole sentences for non-homicide crimes.  On Nov. 9, the Supreme Court heard, separately, two cases on this issue.  Those cases, Graham v. Florida and Sullivan v. Florida both involve juveniles who are serving life without parole for crimes that did not result in a homicide.  Many organizations filed amicus briefs on both sides and this panel will include representitives from such organizations as the National District Attorneys Association and Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. For more information, please contact wclcrimlawsociety@gmail.com.
   
   
3. HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE 21ST CENTURY
   Tues., Nov. 24th, 4:30pm, Katzen Arts Center, Abramson Family Recital Hall (AU main campus)
   Please join us at a panel discussion on human rights in the twenty-first century, co-hosted by the Washington College of Law and the American University Museum. The panel discussion is held in conjunction with the exhibition, Cole Sternberg and those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. For more information, please contact: aumuseum@american.edu or call 202-885-1300.
   
   
4. ALTERNATIVE WINTER BREAK THANKSGIVING BAKE SALE
   Tues., Nov. 24th, 9-6:00pm, WCL Lobby
   Stop by the Alternative Winter Break bake sale and grab a delicious Thanksgiving themed treat or pick up a plate to bring for the holiday. All the proceeds will go toward supporting students traveling to New Orleans to provide pro bono legal services to those affected by Hurricane Katrina. This group of 40 dedicated students has graciously donated their time over winter break and is attempting to defer some of the costs. Please stop by and donate a dollar or two and satisfy that sweet tooth. For more information, please contact ahr@wcl.american.edu.
   

Community Events

1. AU's KAY SPIRITUAL LIFE CENTER PRESENTS TABLE TALK LUNCH SERIES
   Wednesdays at 12:00pm (12:00pm Lunch and 12:20pm Discussion), Kay Spiritual Life Center Lounge
   Join the Kay Spiritual Life Center for its Table Talk Lunch Series on Wednesdays at 12:00pm. Please RSVP 24 hours before the scheduled event at 202-885-3321 or at kslc@american.edu. Buffet lunch provided free for students. Speakers to be announced.

   Wednesday, Nov. 18th - Universal Health Care: Whose Dream and Whose Nightmare?

   Wednesday, Dec. 2nd - The Coup in Honduras: What is Happening to Democracy in Latin America?
   

2. 22ND ANNUAL HELP THE HOMELESS WALKATHON
   Sat., Nov. 21st, 8:30am-12:00pm, National Mall between 7th and 14th Streets
   

   For more than 20 years, Fannie Mae’s Help the Homeless Program has brought together caring and committed individuals to work toward ending homelessness in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan region. In one day you can impact the lives of more than 12,000 people affected by homelessness in our area by joining tens of thousands of walkers taking part in the 22nd Annual Help the Homeless Walkathon. Your efforts can help end homelessness for our most vulnerable citizens.
   
   The Poverty Law Society has been fund raising to cover the entry fee for WCL walkers, so all you need to do is walk! This year we are walking with Martha's Table, who is the recipient of our donations. For more information or to sign up, please e-mail povertylawsociety@gmail.com or visit the website to find out how to participate, volunteer or donate at http://www.helpthehomelessdc.org.

Announcements & Professional Development Opportunities

1. WAR CRIMES RESEARCH OFFICE (WCRO) SEEKING SPRING DEAN'S FELLOW
   The WCRO is seeking Dean’s Fellows for spring 2010. JD (2L and 3L) and LLM students are eligible to work on major legal research projects prepared exclusively for international criminal courts and tribunals on issues of critical importance to these institutions. Interested students with a background in public international law, particularly international criminal/humanitarian/human rights law, are especially encouraged to apply, as are those with prior volunteer experience at the WCRO. The time commitment will be a minimum of 20 hours per week. Please submit a resume and a cover letter, along with a short writing sample and a transcript (unofficial is fine), to Susana SáCouto, Director, War Crimes Research Office, by email at warcrimes@wcl.american.edu. The deadline for applications is Monday, November 30th, 2009. If you have any questions, please stop by our office at 4301 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 102, call us at 202-274-4067 or e-mail warcrimes@wcl.american.edu.
   
   
2. THE OXFORD INTERNATIONAL LAW REPORTS PROJECT IS SEEKING A DEAN'S FELLOW
   Oxford Law Online is working with the International Law Review and the Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law to publish the Inter-American Court on Human Rights decisions online and create a searchable database.  The project is sponsored by Oxford University Press (you can visit the website of the project at http://www.oxfordlawreports.com/).  As the Dean’s Fellow you will be working closely with the editor of the project and writing and editing templates for the Inter-American Court to be submitted.  If you are interested in this position please send your resume and a short statement of interest to jj0291a@american.edu.
   
   
3. $1,500 PUBLIC INTEREST FELLOWSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR SPRING 2010
   Students must secure a part-time (at least 120 hours) placement for spring 2010 working for a legal services organization. Students may also apply for a fellowship if they are unable to work a full 120 hours. The grant would be reduced on a pro-rated basis.  Applicants must send a cover letter describing their commitment and interest in providing legal services to the poor, a resume and an employment confirmation letter from the hiring organization.  All items must be sent together.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.  Mail, e-mail or fax applications to Equal Justice America.  Click here for examples of previous WCL fellowship recipient placements.
   
   
4. USAID/OFFICE OF TRANSITION INITIATIVES HAS INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE FOR THE SPRING 2010 SEMESTER
   All candidates must be U.S. citizens currently enrolled and in good standing in a Bachelors, Masters Degree or PhD program, must meet the qualifications outlined in each position description as outlined in the solicitation, and be able to receive a U.S. Government security clearance. Applications for the 2010 spring semester are due 5:00 PM, November 30th, 2009. Applications will not be accepted after the deadline. For further information about USAID/OTI Internships and instructions about how to apply, please visit www.globalcorps.com.
   
   

5. CALL FOR PAPERS: 2010 HUMAN RIGHTS ESSAY AWARD
   The Academy is proud to announce the topic of the 2010 Human Rights Essay Award. This year's topic for the essay in English is "The Rights of Freedom of Expression and International Human Rights Law." Deadline for submissions is February 1, 2010 at 10am EST.
   
   About the Award: This annual competition seeks to stimulate the production of scholarly works in international human rights law. The Academy on Human Rights and Humanitarian Law grants two Awards, one for the best article in English and one for the best article in Spanish. The jury deciding the Award will be composed of professionals with recognized expertise in international human rights law. The best articles may be published in the American University International Law Review. A comprehensive list of rules is available at www.wcl.american.edu/hracademy/hraward.cfm. If you have questions please contact the Academy of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law at 202-274-4070 or via email at hracademy@wcl.american.edu.
   

6. 2010 ELLA BAKER SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
   The Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) offers the Ella Baker Summer Internship Program in honor of Ella Baker, a hero of the civil rights movement, in order to provide students with legal and other training and a background in movements for social change. The goal of the program is to train the next generation of social justice lawyers. Students work with teams of lawyers on various legal issues, doing legal and factual research and writing on active CCR cases. Ella Baker interns attend weekly discussions with scholars, activists, and clients on such subjects as human rights, racial and economic justice, government misconduct, and corporate accountability. The summer program runs for 10 weeks and interns are eligible for up to a $5000 stipend.
   
   How to apply: Cover letters must include why you would like to work for social change in general and for CCR in particular, any experience you might have in community organizing or in movements for social change, and your interests and skills. Additionally it must include a resume, list of three references and a brief legal writing sample. Deadlines: 2L's must send an electronic version of applications materials to ellabaker2010@ccrjustice.org by Nov. 13, 2009. All 1L applicants should send the application not later than Jan. 15, 2010. For more information about CCR, please visit our website: http://www.ccrjustice.org or contact An-Tuan Williams at awilliams@ccrjustice.org.
   
   

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