Since 1982, The Carter Center has helped people around the world live healthier and more peaceful lives. The Center’s programs prevent and resolve conflicts, enhance freedom and democracy, and improve health. Together with their partners, the Center brings hope to places most have forgotten. The Rule of Law Program advances effective, accessible, and inclusive justice by fostering transparent and accountable relationships between people and governments.
Rule of Law Program externs will work on a variety of international and domestic law and policy issues, alongside Rule of Law Program staff, consultants, interns, and partner organizations. Externs will gain real-world, practical experience in the field of rule of law development. Examples of extern projects and activities may include:
- Providing technical support to the Rule of Law Program's Guatemala team on women's access to justice programming and/or best practices in Latin America and the Caribbean on the ratification of the Escazú Agreement.
- Conducting research and analysis on transitional justice processes and trends.
- Conducting research and contributing to strategy and proposal documents related to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention, Sierra Leone's Child Marriage Act, legal anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) efforts, policing alternatives, and poverty decriminalization work in Sierra Leone.
- Conducting policy analysis/tracking at local, federal, and international levels to help sustain and expand policing alternatives/alternative mobile services for individuals experiencing homelessness, poverty, mental health issues, and/or substance use.
- Supporting legal research on issues applicable to a closing civic space, including the use of investigations and misapplication of legal tools. May include looking at non-profit regulations, lobbying/registration, tax law, protest/free speech laws.
The externship typically requires two days a week in person, but hybrid options may be considered in special circumstances.
Preferred courses: Tax Law, International Law, Administrative Law, Constitutional Law, Health Law, Business Organizations/Non-Profit Organizations
Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident with work authorization for the U.S.
Writing sample, list of courses taken without grades attached as an additional page to your writing sample.