Internships and Research Projects: Descriptions
* The international law courses, research projects, internships and moot court competitions are subject to the availability of faculty. Consequently, some may not be offered every year.CML3251 - Independent Study with the AFN/INAC Joint Initiative for Policy Development (LTS) at the Assembly of First Nations
This course involves working directly with lawyers at the Assembly of First Nations in the Joint Initiative. Objectives of the initiative include supporting and promoting the development of policy reform and the building of governance capacity of First Nations. This is the aim of the AFN/INAC Joint Initiative for Policy Development (Lands and Trust Services). It is an opportunity for First Nations to take the lead in developing policy in the Lands and Trust Services sector of Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC). LTS is the largest portion of the Indian Act, covering areas that are most crucial to First Nations and to the future of First Nations people - areas like elections, membership, lands and resources and law making.
CML3351 - Canadian Yearbook of International Law
This project offers an opportunity for two students to work assisting in editing the Canadian Yearbook of International Law. One student will be working primarily on the editing of articles, comments, book reviews etc. The other student will be reviewing Hansard for questions and responses in the field of international law in the House of Commons, and then editing the extracts for publication in the Yearbook. The positions provide an opportunity for developing research skills in international law and obtaining a broader understanding of the field.
CML3351 - House of Commons Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
An opportunity exists for a student to work as a research assistant for the above Committee. The work would be on a topic determined by the Chair of the Committee. The student would gain insight and experience in both international law and the political environment in which international law issues are dealt with by the legislative branch of government.
CML3251 - Canadian Council on International Law
This course involves legal research and writing for the quarterly bulletin of the Canadian Council of International Law. The positions provide an opportunity for developing research skills in international law and obtaining a broader understanding of the field.
CML3351 - Department of Justice War Crimes Section
An opportunity exists for a student to pursue a research-based internship with the War Crimes Section of the Department of Justice. The student will work approximately 1 day per week during the Fall Semester, on a topic determined by the War Crimes Section in consultation with the student.
Arthur C. Helton Fellowship Programme of the American Society for International Law
The Helton Fellowships provide financial assistance in the form of “micro-grants” for law students and young professionals to pursue field work and/or research in areas involving international law, human rights, humanitarian affairs and other related areas.
The Helton Fellowship Program was established in 2004 and recognizes the legacy of Arthur Helton, an ASIL member who died in the August 19, 2003 bombing of the UN mission in Baghdad along with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Sergio Viera de Mello, and 20 others.
In 2010, Kokouvi Luc Akakpo was selected as a recipient of one of the fellowships. He was able to take up a three-month placement at the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
Applications are accepted until January 10, 2011. Guidelines for applicants are available at: http://www.asil.org/helton-guidelines.cfm
If you intend to submit an application, the International Law group of the Faculty encourages you to meet with Professor Nicole LaViolette to discuss your application. (Nicole.LaViolette@uottawa.ca)
World Trade Organization internships
The WTO Secretariat maintains an internship programme for post-graduate university students wishing to gain practical experience and deeper knowledge of the multilateral trading system. There are internship positions available in most divisions within the Secretariat, including in the Appellate Body Secretariat, the Legal Affairs Division and the Rules Division which deal with dispute settlement cases.
To be considered for a post as a legal intern, candidates must have completed their undergraduate studies and shall have completed at least one year of their postgraduate studies in law. This programme is highly competitive with applications received from all over the world.
Paid interns receive a daily allowance of CHF 60 (including week-ends and official holidays falling within the selected period). No other remuneration of any kind shall be paid.
Internships can last up to 24 weeks. Internships take place in Geneva, Switzerland only. Travel expenses to and from Geneva cannot be paid by the WTO, and such travel is not covered by the Organization's insurance. Interns are also responsible for their own insurance coverage for illness and accidents while they are working at the WTO.
The minimum age for an intern is 21 years and the maximum age is 30 years.
For more information about the WTO internship programme, please refer to: https://erecruitment.wto.org/public/hrd-cl-vac-view.asp?jobinfo_uid_c=3475&vaclng=en. Applications must be made online to the WTO Human Resources registry. If, after reviewing all of the information available on the WTO website, you would like further information about the WTO programme, you may contact Professor Debra Steger at dsteger@uottawa.ca.