Hi,

This is the application form for two USAS internships in Mexico and the Dominican Republic.   The application deadline is May 1.   Folks are encouraged to forward this to their campus group's list-serv.

United Students Against Sweatshops

International Solidarity Committee, ISC-2002

Application for Summer Internships in

Mexico and the Dominican Republic

June  -  August 2002 

What:

United Students Against Sweatshops (USAS) has two grassroots international labor internship opportunities available in Latin America.  One intern will be based in Puebla, Mexico and will work with the Workers Support Center (CAT), a local workers rights NGO.   Another intern will be based in Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic and will work with the BJ&B collegiate apparel cap-factory located there, which is currently an international USAS campaign.  These internships will entail working directly in cooperation with garment factory workers and local unions and NGOs.

When:

These internships will take place from June to August, 2002.  The exact length of the internship can be flexible to meet the intern’s needs; however, a minimum of two months and a maximum of three months would be required.

Requirements:

It is important that the intern is proficient in the Spanish language as interns will be extensively interacting with Spanish-speaking factory workers.  Interest and experience in international activism is also significant.

Provisions:

Both interns in Mexico and the Dominican Republic will be provided a place to stay and a living stipend by the Mexico Solidarity Center.   Roundtrip airfare, however, will not be provided.  If necessary, USAS will try to provide assistance with fundraising efforts.

Intern duties in Puebla, Mexico will consist of:

·         Conducting research on workers wages, health and gender issues as well as environmental factors (this would involve spending time in workers homes and communities);

·         Collecting data to generate factory profiles on plants producing collegiate apparel; 

·         Organizing and distributing data to build awareness and dialogue in the U.S.; and,

·         Helping to formalize relationships between USAS and local unions and NGOs. 

Intern duties in Villa Altagracia, Dominican Republic will consist of:

·         Observing and recording the developments between the workers union, FEDOTRAZONAS, and the BJ&B management;

·         Communicating and coordinating campaign strategies with the USAS network; 

·         Working with the local Solidarity Center office on gender issues in union leadership development; and,

·         Recording, compiling and then distributing worker testimonies and the plant’s union organizing history to build awareness and dialogue in the U.S. 

Accountability Team:

Accountability teams for both interns will be comprised of 4-6 people from USAS’ International Solidarity Committee members, Coordinating Committee members as well as Regional Organizers and other USASers.  This team will communicate to the national leadership regarding the interns work and provide structural support to the interns, through email exchange as well as bi-weekly conference calls.  Both interns in Mexico and the Dominican Republic will write weekly email-reports to the Accountability Team.

To Apply:       

·         Submit a resume, references and a coverletter outlining your interest and/or experience in international activism.  Please specify at the top of your coverletter whether you are interested in the Mexico internship, the Dominican Republic internship or both of them.     

·         Email to  emailusas@yahoo.com by May 1, 2002

Application deadline is May 1, 2002