Open Society Justice Initiative Offers Fellows Program at Central European University

The Open Society Justice Initiative, an operational program of the Open Society Institute, joins with Central European University to announce the Justice Initiative Fellows Program for 2008–2010. The aim of the program is to support and further develop a network of lawyers and activists working internationally on human rights-related issues. Since its start in 1996, 155 fellows have graduated from the Justice Initiative's fellowship program.

The Justice Initiative Fellows Program is a two-year program of study and practical work experience. Up to ten applicants will be selected to participate in the 2008 program. Applicants from the following regions and countries are eligible: Central and Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Africa, East Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central/South America.

Applicants must be nominated by a nongovernmental organization concerned with human rights. The first year is spent at Central European University, the second in the applicant's home country, working with the nominating nongovernmental organization

The applicant must demonstrate a strong commitment to human rights, and have a university degree and a high degree of proficiency in English. Criteria for selection will include the applicant's experience, his/her potential to contribute to the protection and promotion of human rights, and the suitability of the applicant's proposed role in the nominating nongovernmental organization. Upon selection, fellows will be required to sign an agreement with the Justice Initiative committing themselves to the program for two years.

The Justice Initiative Fellows will reside for one year in Hungary, at Central European University's Legal Studies Department. They will undertake a degree program (MA or LLM in Human Rights, depending on their undergraduate degree), in which they will be required to fulfill the requirements of the Human Rights Program at Central European University. During their stay at Central European University, the Fellows will also participate in a three-month internship placement with leading nongovernmental organizations in Europe from January until March. During the first year of the program the Justice Initiative Fellowship will be administered by Central European University Legal Studies Department in partnership with the Justice Initiative. Financial conditions will be identical to Central European University policies for full scholarship students.

The Justice Initiative Fellows will return to their nominating nongovernmental organizations after the first year, where they will spend at least one year working in human rights advocacy on a non-profit basis: providing legal services, undertaking human rights litigation, providing training, and education, etc. The Justice Initiative will pay a local salary during this second year equal to an amount determined to be similar to equivalent work by the nominating nongovernmental organization. This amount will be provided to the nominating nongovernmental organizations in the form of a grant.

Application Procedure

Please note that the applicant must mail his/her application to the Central European University Admissions Office (1051 Budapest, Nador u.9, Hungary). The applicant must meet the general Central European University Admissions requirements, which can be viewed online (http://www.Central European University.hu/admissions.html) as well as the Central European University Legal Studies Department Requirements (http://www.Central European University.hu/admissions.html). In addition, applicants must include with their application:

• A nominating letter from an nongovernmental organization describing the reasons for nominating the applicant, the expectations the nongovernmental organization has of the project, and contractually committing (to the Justice Initiative) to hire the applicant for at least one year after s/he returns from the twelve-month training program in Hungary. The nomination letter should also indicate a monthly salary gross rate in USD (including all taxes and fees) that will be offered to the applicant by the nongovernmental organization in the event that s/he is selected for the program (provided to the nongovernmental organization by the Justice Initiative in the form of a grant).
• A copy of the applicant's Bar Association membership (if applicable), or the date scheduled for examination.
• Proof of English proficiency: Candidates staying out of the testing region are required to submit official score reports (See Central European University recognized Language exams and score required: http://www.Central European University.hu/admissions_apply.html). For applicants from the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe, language tests as well as Legal Reasoning Test and Department essays will be carried out by local Soros Foundation/Open Society Institute coordinators on March 1, 2008. For candidates outside this region the Admission exam will be carried out via e mail on March 1st followed by interviews administered at a later date. (See also: http://www.Central European University.hu/legal/admissions.html).
• A statement of purpose for applying to the Justice Initiative Fellows program.
• A proposal of project activities that the candidate plans to work on with the nominating nongovernmental organization during the second year of the fellowship.

The DEADLINE for receiving applications at Central European University is January 15, 2008.