Cambodia: Volunteer Human Rights Internships and Work Experience

Our Human Rights placement in Cambodia is based in the capital city of Phnom Penh. The placement gives volunteers the opportunity to work on a really worthwhile project alongside a respected humanitarian organisation, whilst also gaining first hand experience of human rights law in practice.

Volunteers must have completed at least three years of a related undergraduate degree and have a keen interest in human rights issues. Post-graduate volunteers with related degrees and relevant work experience are also encouraged to apply.

Volunteers need to commit to at least 2 months on a Human Rights placement in Cambodia.

Volunteering on a Human Rights Internship in Cambodia

Human Rights volunteers work with the Cambodian Confederation of Unions (CCU) which is headed by Mr Rong Chhun, who is the most well-known human rights activist in Cambodia. The CCU represents teachers and workers in Cambodia and aims to improve working conditions in the country. The CCU also focuses on social justice and the respect of human rights in general in Cambodia.

The CCU was established in a partnership between the Cambodian Independent Teachers' Association (CITA), led by Mr Rong Chhun and the Free Trade Union of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUKC) led by Mr Chea Mony, the brother of Mr Chea Vichea, an outstanding union leader and former president of the FTUKC who was shot dead in 2004. The controversial assassination of the 'worker's hero' has inspired many people to continue Chea Vichea's work and fight for workers rights.

A voluntary placement with Projects Abroad in Phnom Penh would be a valuable addition to your CV in the notoriously competitive world of Human Rights or International Development, and might just secure you that lucrative first job once you graduate.

Human Rights Work Experience opportunities with Projects Abroad

Your precise role will be determined by your background and level of interest in specific areas. Volunteers work under the supervision of the local staff and will be involved in a variety of tasks including:

• Researching a variety of on-going local human rights issues
• Implementing new human rights projects
• Communication tasks including helping to translate press releases and statement letters
• Fundraising and networking
• Writing proposals in English and filling out grant forms

However long you join a project for you will need to be flexible, communicate well and work hard. Placements are certainly demanding and must be taken seriously; you will be representing a professional organisation. You may sometimes have deadlines and you may be asked to represent the organisations at rallies, private interviews, government meetings and other high profile events.