Unique to Columbia, the Human Rights Internship Program (HRIP), founded in 1984 by Professor Jack Greenberg, is one of the Law School's most important offerings and a chief priority. The program's more than 1,500 "graduates" have been instrumental in drafting the South African Constitution, documenting human-rights abuses of gay and lesbian youth in America's prisons, and establishing the International Criminal Tribunals in Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia. They also have researched prison conditions in Sri Lanka, helped write a Freedom of Information Act for Guatemala, and worked on environmental law in Hungary. Interns from years past now lead community economic-development efforts, head legal services offices, fight against employment discrimination, and defend death-row inmates.
Participation in the HRIP is by application. The program enables students to intern at international human rights organizations abroad with a stipend, a plane ticket and intensive training on subjects ranging from basic human rights law to documenting and reporting to international legal research so that they will be grounded in fundamental human rights principles. Each summer, interns may select their placements from among hundreds of pre-established host organizations throughout the world. Students may also elect to pursue internships with new or emerging human rights organizations throughout the world with guidance from six faculty regional program advisors.
Social Justice Initiatives works individually with each intern to identify the organization at which he or she can best receive training in human rights law, work in the service of his or her beliefs, create relationships that may advance professional development, and become part of a worldwide network of Columbia graduates and others devoted to human rights. SJI also assists in editing cover letters and resumes, which are then sent out under the HRIP's auspices, giving Columbia students a distinct advantage.
Please see our HRIP Basics page for detailed timelines and essential program information.
