Thursday, March 28, 2013

Scholarship Opportunity For Students Interested In U.S.-China Relations

My name is John Miller, and I am freshman at Stanford University. I am involved with an organization at Stanford called FACES (Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford). FACES is a faculty-advised, student-run conference under the aegis of the Center for East Asian Studies at Stanford. We are committed to promoting knowledge and discussion of many issues in Sino-American relations, both within Stanford and between university students in the United States and greater China.

Each year, we organize a two-part conference program on US-China relations, referred to as On Common Ground.  The first part of the two-week long conferences takes place in November at Stanford, and the second is in April at one of our chapter universities in China.  We’ve invited some of the most prestigious scholars to come address these student delegates on many different aspects of Sino-American relations. Our past speakers include George Bush Sr., Condoleezza Rice, John Major, William Perry, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Thomas Friedman, Richard Levin, John Huntsman and the list goes on. In order to make our application as need-blind as possible, part of airfare to the conferences is subsidized, and FACES covers all food and hotel costs for the conferences. Additional coverage is available based on needs.

Our application for the 2013 conferences has just gone live, and so I am writing to you with the hope that you can pass on our information to any interested students or other faculty contacts in relevant departments. Information about the conference is attached in this email. We would greatly appreciate it if you could forward it to anyone you think might benefit from this opportunity.

We are looking for undergraduate and graduate students who are leaders in their fields of interest.  The FACES mission is to instill an appreciation for the importance of U.S. - China relations in tomorrow’s leaders in all fields, regardless of former extracurricular or language experience, and to provide a forum where these future leaders of the two countries can form lasting friendships through debate and discussion of salient issues.

If you would like more information about our program, please feel free to email me, or visit faces.stanford.edu.

Thank you for your time,
John Miller
FACES Programming Officer
Forum for American/Chinese Exchange at Stanford

Are you interested in …

TRAVEL to Stanford and Beijing on a scholarship?
INTERACT with famous scholars, politicians, and CEOs?
MEET distinguished future leaders from U.S. and China?
BECOME part of a prestigious worldwide student network?
INFLUENCE the future of U.S.-China relations?

Then apply to be a delegate of FACES "On Common Ground" Conference 2013!
Application online now at http://faces.stanford.edu/application
Deadline: May 1st, 2013, 11:59pm

26th Annual Youth Leadership Conference

Prague, Czech Republic
July 21st-26th, 2013
 Connecting Future Leaders

The International Youth Leadership Conference (IYLC) is a week long forum on International Relations, Law and Politics held bi-annually in Prague, Czech Republic since 2001.

Attended by an average of 100 students and graduates from over 30 different countries, the IYLC offers an opportunity for future leaders to exchange ideas and perspectives on contemporary global issues while building a strong network of like minded peers from all over the world. 
  • United Nations Security Council Emergency Meeting
  • International Criminal Court Mock Pre-Trial
  • Model European Parliament Simulation
  • Meetings with Ambassadors during visits to foreign embassies in Prague
  • Networking events and Gala Dinners with business people and diplomats
  • Group debates and Panel Discussions with leading experts

Testimonials


I now have a better understanding of the processes underlying global affairs, and am also thinking about such events more critically and knowledgeably.

-Lauren Elisabeth Gatt, Australia


"Attending the IYLC provided me with a golden opportunity not only to learn about international organizations and international law but also to put this knowledge into practice. Thanks to the simulations, I now feel more confident when speaking in public and I also learnt a lot about leadership. However, what I appreciate the most from this wonderful conference is that I have friends from all over the world and we were able to share our cultures and traditions. "

- Maria Jose Lucena Cobacho, Spain

"The simulations and discussions offered by the IYLC have inculcated in me an understanding of the different countries and cultures that exist in the world, but, most importantly, they have taught me how to accept differences of opinion and of the pressing need to find consensus in the midst of such differences."
    
-Aitzaz Rehman Sheikh, Pakistan


The interactions, simulations and meetings with professionals really brought theoretical international relations classes to life.
The simulations deepened my understanding and knowledge of the Security Council, United Nations and International Criminal Court. This has enriched my academic experience and created a bigger fascination for the international arena, framing the direction for my eventual master’s thesis.

-Tikwiza Silubonde, Zambia

Nominations

.
Recommendations from Academic Staff at Universities and Colleges are important to us. If you recognize exceptional students with a passion for leadership you can recommend them by filling out our online nomination form, at http://www.iylcprague.org/nomination

Observers


We welcome University and College staff to observe all simulations, site visits and panel discussions during our 5-day programme. Learn more at http://www.iylcprague.org/downloads



Special Affiliates


Universities supporting 5 students or more to attend the IYLC are regarded as Special Affiliates. This entails the following benfits:
  • A 20% discount off the Conference Fee to all our future Conferences, including the IYLC UAE in Dubai
  • The opportunity for new partners to attend the IYLC as an Observer -free of charge
  • University or College logo listed on our website and Conference materials such as the IYLC Prague Guidebook and Posters.
 

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Summer Internship in Congressman Rick Larsen's Office

My name is Cara Sullivan and I am the Intern Coordinator in Congressman Rick Larsen’s Washington, DC office. We are currently seeking a summer intern, so I wanted to pass along the following announcement to you for any students who may be interested. The application deadline is April 15.

Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via e-mail or at 202-225-2605.

Thank you,
Cara


 The Office of Rep. Rick Larsen (DWA02) is seeking to hire an intern in the Washington, DC office for the spring. Candidates should have an interest in and knowledge of the legislative process and American political system, possess excellent communication and writing skills, and be able to work independently.

Interns play an important role in the congressional office, and perform tasks that make the legislative process work.  They will be responsible for projects such as researching and writing memos, assisting legislative staff in committee hearings, and fielding constituent phone calls and other requests.  Other duties include leading Capitol tours and providing staff with general office support. During their term, interns are encouraged to attend briefings and committee hearings of personal interest.

Those with ties to Washington State or the 2nd Congressional District are strongly encouraged to apply. While the internship is unpaid, we are happy to work with schools that offer students academic credit for the internship.

If you would like to be considered for an internship, please email your resume, cover letter, and two references to Cara Sullivan at cara.sullivan@mail.house.gov.

Monday, March 25, 2013

Great Summer Jobs for Students at University of Puget Sound

The Fund for the Public Interest is a national non-profit organization that works to build support for progressive organizations across the country. We run campaigns for the Human Rights Campaign, USPIRG, and Environment America. This summer we will be in over 50 cities, working and lobbying to help win environmental and social justice campaigns.

Last summer our staff helped ban off-shore drilling to protect our coasts, repeal Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and increase food safety standards to make school lunches safer- all while building valuable leadership skills.

Currently, we have paid positions open on our campaign staff in each of our locations. We require that interested candidates are hard workers and have excellent communication skills.

As a member of our staff, you will fund-raise, build membership for our partner groups, and educate and activate citizens on pressing issues. You will also have the opportunity to organize press conferences and build coalitions with other non-profit organizations. While on staff, you gain knowledge of pressing concerns our country is facing, learn how to effectively generate public support, and obtain a firm understanding of the political process.

We will be holding information sessions and interviews at University of Puget Sound on April 2nd and 3rd at 10am, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm each day. The information sessions will be located at Call 1-800-75EARTH to find out exactly where we'll be on campus!. If there are any additional questions please visit www.JobsThatMatter.org or call 1-800-75-EARTH (753-2784).

New Foreign Service Careers Mobile App Launches

Foreign Service Careers @ Your Fingertips – DOSCareers for iPhone and Android.
We’re pleased to announce the release of DOSCareers, a new mobile app designed for aspiring Foreign Service candidates and others seeking to familiarize themselves with diplomatic careers. This app offers essential information right at your fingertips: Foreign Service Specialist and Officer career path descriptions, videos of employees in specific career tracks, sample questions from prior Foreign Service Officer Tests (FSOTs), an overview of the selection and hiring processes, links to a variety of free study resource applications, and links to Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) and recruitment events.
The DOSCareers mobile app is available as a free download for both iPhone and Android devices.

For details, visit careers.state.gov/doscareers.

Visit http://careers.state.gov for additional information on careers with the U.S. Department of State.

We appreciate your interest in a career with the U.S. Department of State.

Visit our forums if you have any questions, or to search for topics of interest. The forums can be found under Engage on the careers.state.gov website. You can also search our FAQs for more information.

Saturday, March 23, 2013

Reminder: Congressional internship available, summer 2013: PAID, deadline for application upcoming

Hello,

Congressman Adam Smith's office is offering a paid summer internship in the D.C. office.  The deadline for application is April 8; please contact Professor Sousa asap for an application!


New course for fall: Religion and Politics in the United States


Professor Jacobson has designed a new course, P&G 353, Religion in American Politics.  Here is the description: 

This course looks at the interaction between religion and politics in the United States and questions conventional understandings about that relationship. What does separation between church and state mean? How has religion formed our national identity? What role does religion play in our political debates and what role should it play? How does religious identity influence public opinion, voting or other political activity? And how has politics influenced or shaped religious communities?

We begin the course looking closely at some of these large framing questions. We then turn to the role of religion in the political development of the United States focusing on the religious influence on political or social movements throughout US history. Looking at history enables us to better understand the role of religion in contemporary politics. In the second half of the course, we explore the contemporary moment and look at individuals, institutions, and public policies. First we look at how individual political behavior is impacted by religion. Next we look at the relationship through institutions, both political and religious institutions. (During this section of the course students will engage in primary research that will form the basis for their research papers.) Finally, with a firmer grounding in the history and theoretical views about religion and politics and empirical understandings about the influence on individuals and institutions, we will turn to particular contemporary policy issues. We will explore the influence of religion on our political dialogue and outcomes, as well as look at the influence those debates are having on religious identities.

Students should walk away from the course being able to talk about the relationship between church and state or religion and politics with a firm historical and empirical grounding. With deeper insight about the role of religion, students should be able to more fully analyze complex political phenomenon.  Students will also walk away with experience in primary research, leading class discussion and engaging in debates. Students should improve their skills in evidence based argumentation. Because discussions about religion and politics can be sensitive issues, students will also be exposed to ways to engage diversity and conflict responsibly. 

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Camp Wellstone Scholarships - deadline March 25th!!



Prof. Sousa and Prof. O'Neil,
I'd love to get the below up on the UPS P&G blog as soon as possible.  It's a left-leaning organization, but this is a great training opportunity that's driven to train young activists, campaign managers, and candidates.  It comes highly encouraged, and the Pierce County Young Democrats are offering a scholarship.  The deadline, March 25th, is just a week away.

Let me know if I can help in getting the word out.  Thank you, as always, for your support of real-world opportunities for UPS students.
Ben Anderstone
*****
The Pierce County Young Democrats will giving out their first annual batch of scholarships to Camp Wellstone this year. Camp Wellstone will be held in Seattle from April 26 - 28 and is a professional development camp for young people who are interested in working in the political field. More details about Camp Wellstone can be found here.

The PCYDs will be buying one scholarship for each of the three tracks at Camp Wellstone. They are:

  • Activist Track: How to win on grassroots organizing issues
  • Working on a Campaign Track: How to win progressive campaigns as a campaign worker or volunteer
  • Being a Candidate Track: How to run and win a progressive campaign, for those running for office or considering running in the future

If you are interested in applying for one of these tracks, please email a personal essay of no more than 350 words describing how you would contribute to Pierce County politics if you were selected to attend Camp Wellstone. Be sure to specify which track you are interested in. You can send your essays to pierceyoungdems@gmail.com. The deadline for submissions is March 25th. Winners will be announced on April 5th.

Good luck!
Benjamin Anderstone
(c) 253-278-3167

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Summer Fellowship Opportunity with New Era Colorado

The Democracy Fellows program is an intensive, ten week-long summer bootcamp that trains the next generation of progressive young leaders to create change in their communities. Fellows work to build a more hands-on democracy, developing their leadership skills while learning and applying the principles of grassroots organizing and political advocacy.

It’s a full time program, designed for hardworking young folks, college students, and recent college grads from all over the place who are passionate about civic engagement, democracy, and politics. Fellows will leave the program with the tools and skills to advocate for the issues they are passionate about, organize others to take action, and lead in their communities.
The program’s got three goals:
  • Leaders for the long-term. Gain invaluable leadership skills, and then flex those new muscles all over the state.
  • Engagement that matters. Conduct on-the-ground grassroots work to impact top-level policies and make a lasting impact on Colorado’s political landscape.
  • Democracy for the win. Do the heavy lifting to create a more hands-on democracy that works for everyone.
Our summer 2013 program runs from June 5-August 7, and is based in Denver, Colorado. Financial stipends are available for fellows. The early decision application deadline is April 12th, and the final deadline is May 17.

For more information, go to http://neweracolorado.org/democracyfellows/#.UUDEgXhA2So
To nominate someone else for the program, http://neweracolorado.org/democracyfellows/nominations/#.UUDFAnhA2So

Thursday, March 14, 2013

Internship with Project VoteSmart

Check out this interesting opportunity:

Project Vote Smart is a national, non-partisan, non-profit political research library located in the Montana Rockies. The Project was founded by former US Presidents Carter and Ford, as well as 40 other prominent national leaders of both major political parties and funded by the Carnegie and Ford Foundations. The New York Times said that “Project Vote Smart is so good that even the Federal Government recommends it.”

We are currently accepting applications for our National Internship Program. This year we are excited to announce our new online application system where students can now submit their applications completely electronically, expediting the review and acceptance process! To apply online or to get more information about Project Vote Smart, please visit www.votesmart.org. I hope you will look over our website and forward our information to any interested students. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thanks to the generous support of our members across the country, we are once again able to offer the Barry Goldwater scholarship to all accepted students. This scholarship provides room and board for the duration of the student’s 10 week internship at our headquarters, the Great Divide Ranch in Montana.

Through our internships, your students will have a unique opportunity to be involved with the political process, while enjoying one of the most spectacular places on earth. Our internship will give your students the chance to provide millions of people with factual, unbiased information, as well as the opportunity to stroll around pristine lakes and rivers, hike throughout the Rocky Mountains, or ski some of the best slopes in the country. During an internship with Project Vote Smart, students will work hard and learn a great deal, all in an environment defined by its beautiful scenery and the commitment of its staff and interns.

Our internships, as with all the other areas of the organization, focus on the end product: providing voters with pertinent, factual information on presidential, congressional, gubernatorial, and state legislative candidates and elected officials. For students, this means a hands-on internship with significant opportunities for learning and growth. In fact, more than 90 percent of the information that Project Vote Smart provides is researched, entered, and checked by interns and volunteers. This system has been developed and cultivated specifically to ensure that interns are primarily responsible for the research; the few staff members are here simply to train and guide interns in what needs to be accomplished.

Please ask your students to consider this opportunity and contact me with any questions at 1-888-VOTESMART (1-888-868-3762) or via email at intern@votesmart.org. I look forward to working together to provide your students with an unforgettable learning experience.

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Get hired in DC

I recently received this email from alum Kerry Burgott, who has moved to DC: 

Hi Professor O'Neil. I was just thinking the other day about how UPS graduation is fast approaching. If any P&G seniors are planning on trying to make the move to DC, but are not sure how to do it, I highly recommend that they sign up with a DC temp or employment agency.

I used The Choice when I moved here in September and they placed me in the position I now hold permanently with the International Economic Development Council. The Choice (and others) does temp-to-hire or even direct hire. While the agency looks for an organization you would like to work with, they place you in short-term jobs like reception or data-entry positions. It's a good way to pay the bills while job-seeking. http://thechoiceinc.com/

 Just a thought for some future UPS alum! Feel free to give anyone my email if they would like to get in touch. I hope all is well on your end as the year comes to a close.

Monday, March 11, 2013

IHS Summer Seminars


Summer Seminars
Find out how individual liberty and economic freedom have shaped the modern world
For students interested in political science, I recommend the Summer Seminars offered by the Institute for Humane Studies. The seminars are a week of informative lectures and lively discussions where participants explore topics such as non-governmental solutions, public choice theory, and the moral justifications for individual rights.
Discover the classical liberal ideas that have helped to end slavery, inspire women’s suffrage, and give us religious freedom. What’s in store at an IHS Summer Seminar?

• Plenty of discussion about today’s toughest political and social issues
• Top-tier teaching on principles of liberty
• Fun and purposeful interaction with peers from around the globe

The Right Seminar for You: Choose from 11 Options


IHS provides programs tailored to a wide variety of backgrounds. Whether you’re a seasoned libertarian or just getting curious about individual liberty, attending an IHS Summer Seminar geared toward your interests will connect you to rich resources, engaging people, and enriching ideas.

Seminar themes range from liberty fundamentals to challenging advanced topics, to career-specific material focused on public policy, academia, or journalism. Seminar topics include peace, natural rights, individual autonomy, the morality of free enterprise, the role of a free press in society, and more.

Locations

Seminars take place on college campuses located across the United States. All participants receive a full scholarship covering housing, meals, and books. Participants are responsible for travel costs.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates are eligible for most seminars (eligibility requirements vary by seminar; see specific seminar pages for details).
More info at http://www.theihs.org/summer-seminars

Applications due 3/31/13
www.TheIHS.org

Friday, March 08, 2013

Get Published--

The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics is the only nationally published journal for undergraduate research in political science.

The deadline for submission for the Spring 2013 issue is March 31st, and we would like to encourage your students to submit high quality papers and theses. We would greatly appreciate it if you could suggest your students to submit to the Journal. For your students to submit a piece, please email it (as a Word document) to psajournalwm@gmail.com.

Please have them include his or her name, university, and contact details (mailing address, e-mail address, and phone number). Submitted manuscripts must include a short abstract (roughly 150 words), and citations and references should follow the APSA Style Manual for Political Science. The maximum page length for submitted manuscripts is 35 double-spaced pages. Please refer to our website, www.psajournal.org, for more information about the journal and the publication process.

Sincerely, The Editors
The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics

Democracy Matters Internship


Democracy Matters is accepting applications for paid internships through our Campus Internship Program. We are a non-partisan organization of students and professors working on campuses across the country to educate people about the role of private money in politics, and its impact on democracy. We call for alternatives that can reform and revitalize our political process thereby deepening democracy in the United States. Specifically, we organize around issues of campaign finance reform, full and partial funding of elections, and election reform.
We differ from other political groups on campus in that we are not linked to a political party and we do not concern ourselves with specific election campaigns. Instead, we are concerned with the process of campaigns - especially fundraising - and issues specifically related to political accountability and democracy.

Campus Leaders are expected to work a minimum of 10 hours/week.

Responsibilities:
• Build coalitions of student activists on your campus.
• Create a Democracy Matters chapter that can work with students, faculty and community activists to get private money out of politics and people back in.
• Organize at least four campaigns/events per semester (see Action Campaigns)
Opportunities:
• Receive training and guidance from a Democracy Matter staff link who will work with you each week to develop your skills as an organizer.
• Attend the annual Democracy Matters student summit where you will meet with hundreds of other students from across the country and attend workshops to build your skills and issue awareness.
• Receive Democracy Matters materials – banner, flyers, DVD, t-shirt, stickers, and pins – to spread across your campus.
Compensation:
• $500 per semester
• Additional financial support for campaign/event expenses
• Service learning course credit (depends on college/university)
Applicants should have a commitment to social change and some organizing experience. No expertise in campaign finance reform is required.

For more information go to
www.democracymatters.org