IRC IFP 2007
Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. At work in 25 countries, the IRC delivers lifesaving aid in emergencies; rebuilds shattered communities; cares for war-traumatized children; rehabilitates health care, water and sanitation systems; reunites separated families; restores lost livelihoods; establishes schools; trains teachers; strengthens the capacity of local organizations; and supports civil society and good-governance initiatives.
Background on Child and Youth Protection and Development
Today, the United Nations estimates that as many as 25 million children have been forced out of their homes and communities due to war. Of nearly 20 million refugees and displaced persons around the world, 10 million are children under the age of 18. Children are the predominant casualties of war: since 1987, an estimated 2 million children have been killed in armed conflict, either as noncombatants or as child soldiers. One million have been made orphans. More than 6 million children have been seriously injured or disabled. Many more children suffer disease, sexual abuse, malnutrition, or psychological trauma as a result of violence they have witnessed and endured. At a crucial and vulnerable time in their lives, war-affected and displaced children are stripped of their childhood and, in many cases, their humanity. With entire communities, schools, homes, and families destroyed, they often lack the care, protection, and support necessary to thrive. In this environment, their specific needs are complex, diverse and urgent.
The IRC has developed effective, targeted, and rapidly deployable programs to meet urgent and special needs of children affected by armed conflict in emergencies and during postwar recovery. These include
- emergency and formal education
- interim care and family tracing for separated children
- care, family reunification, and community reintegration for former child solders
- psychosocial and vocational assistance for war-affected adolescents
New School-IRC Program
Internships will be designed to contribute to the needs of specific country programs and to introduce students to the fields of child protection and emergency education within the humanitarian assistance sector. Internships aim to enhance the academic, work, and life experiences of students as well as build up a pool of qualified candidates upon which IRC can draw when placing people in jobs overseas. Past interns have worked on issues such as refugee education in Guinea, demobilization of child soldiers in Liberia, home-based schooling of girls in Afghanistan, and psychosocial support for youth in Chechnya. Today, many of IRC's past interns are running programs for IRC in places such as Darfur, Ethiopia, and the Republic of Congo. The spring preparation course will give students grounding in the fundamental theories and approaches that guide programming in this field, including such things as community-based approaches to psychosocial well-being, minimum standards for education in emergencies, interagency guiding principles on unaccompanied and separated children, etc. An orientation at the New York office will introduce students to IRC's mission, guiding principles, operations, key partners, and country program logistics.
Eligibility for NS-IRC Program
Internships with the IRC are open to masters students in the New School's Graduate Program in International Affairs. Qualified candidates should have previous experience working overseas, familiarity with other cultures and/or developing countries. Ideal candidates should have experience working with children and youth, especially those living in difficult circumstances, through social work, education, psychology, or other appropriate field. Candidates should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills and be able to demonstrate their ability to work in changing environments. Internships will last approximately 3 months. The student will work closely with IRC's child protection or education team on a specific project or program.
Information Session: Fri., Nov. 10, 7 p.m., Room 602
Language Note: It is recommended that students applying for francophone IRC programs have a working knowledge of French.
Faculty Coordinator: Mark Johnson (JohnsonM@newschool.edu)
Program Dates: June-August