The Open Society Justice Initiative, an operational programme of the Open Society Institute (OSI), joins Central European University (CEU) in announcing the Justice Initiative Fellows Program. The aim of the programme is to support and further develop a network of lawyers and activists working on human rights-related issues internationally.

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

Applicants must be nominated by a national non-governmental organisation (NGO) concerned with human rights. 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 NGO.

The Justice Initiative Fellows will reside for a total of one year in Hungary, at CEU Legal Studies Department. They will undertake a degree programme (Master of Arts - M.A. - or Master of Law - LL.M. - in Human Rights, dependent 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 CEU the Fellows will also participate in a three-month internship placement with NGOs in Europe from January until March.

The Justice Initiative Fellows will return to their local nominating NGOs 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 NGO. This amount will be provided to the nominating NGOs in the form of a grant.

Click here or here to read more about this programme.

Please note that applicants must submit their applications to the CEU Admissions Office (1051 Budapest, Nador Street 9, Hungary). They must meet the general CEU Admissions requirements, as well as the CEU Legal Studies Department Requirements.

Click here to read about previous Fellows.

The CEU Legal Studies Department website on November 18 2009.