Overview
Columbia University invites practitioners of Historical Dialogue and Accountability/Dealing with the Past from Africa, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia to apply for the Fellowship for Historical Dialogue and Accountability.
Fellowship Guidelines
Historical dialogue and accountability is a growing field of advocacy and scholarship that encompasses the efforts in conflict, post-conflict, and post-dictatorial societies to come to terms with their pasts. In contesting nationalist myths and identities, in examining official historical narratives, and opening to competing narratives about past violence, historical dialogue promotes inclusivity of minorities that suffered in the past as well as with (former) enemies. Advocates of historical dialogue work to:
- collect and provide facts about the history of particular conflicts;
- provide analysis of past violence grounded in empirical research;
- acknowledge the victims of past violence and human rights abuses;
- challenge and deconstruct national or ethnic memories of heroism and/or victimhood;
- foster shared work between interlocutors of two or more sides of a conflict;
- identify and monitor how history is misused to divide society and perpetuate conflict;
- and enhance public discussion about the past.
The Fellowship
The Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR) at Columbia University is establishing an innovative new program – the Fellowship for Historical Dialogue and Accountability. Practitioners of historical dialogue and accountability from conflict, post-conflict and post-dictatorial societies will have the opportunity to engage in training, networking, project work, and academic study. The comprehensive program provides Fellows with the opportunity to hone practical skills in fundraising, advocacy and leadership, develop a deeper understanding of dealing with the past, and foster mutually beneficial relationships with their peers and with international and non-profit organizations in New York City. During the Fellowship participants will design a project that addresses a long standing sectarian conflict, history of repression or past gross human rights violations in their society, country or region.
The program is part of the Alliance of Historical Dialogue and Accountability.
Fellowship Expectations
Classes and Workshops
Fellows are expected to take full advantage of Columbia University’s vibrant intellectual community and rich resources of departments and institutes.
Fellows will participate in: one assigned graduate course about the politics of history and reconciliation, Fellowship workshops focusing on skill building, Fellows’ Projects, classes about concepts and methods of historical dialogue, meetings with international organizations and NGOs in New York City and public speaking opportunities as well as social activities with their peers.
Individual Project
Fellows are expected to design a project that addresses a long standing sectarian conflict, history of repression or past gross human rights violations in their society, country or region throughout the semester. The Project can be something that’s entirely new and in the planning phase; that is nearing completion; or that has existed for some time but is in need of revision. The Project should be something the Fellow and its supporting organization has the capacity to implement within one year of the Fellowship. Fellows will work on designing and planning the Project during their Fellowship with the input of other Fellows and Fellowship staff and consultants, leaving the Fellowship with a detailed plan and funding proposal. The Project could be an advocacy project; a plan for a memorial; dialogue program bringing together diverse stakeholders; school program; oral history project; or other types of experiences and processes for promoting historical dialogue. Fellows will present progress on their Project in the weekly Fellowship seminar. Fellows are encouraged to reach out to Columbia University’s academic community to support their Project work.
Language
In order to facilitate these interactions, proficiency in spoken English is required.
The Fellows
Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate at least two years of work on projects relating to historical dialogue and accountability. Candidates are either employees of an organization that focuses on dealing with the past in the applicant’s society and/or region or who demonstrate the support of a well-established organization to implement the Fellow’s Project after the completion of the program. Candidates must work on and have the support from an organization in the following regions and countries that faces ongoing or the legacy of sectarian conflicts: Africa, Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Middle East and South and Southeast Asia.
Fellowship Support
The Fellowship is fully funded. Travel, visa and accommodation costs are fully covered. During the program Fellows will receive health insurance as well as a stipend to cover living expenses in New York City.
Deadline: April 15th, 2012.
http://hrcolumbia.org/fhda/
Please quote Scholarization.blogspot.com on your application when applying for this scholarship
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