AUCC Students for Development Program at RRU

Five graduate students will be funded to intern at Caritas Gulu Archdiocese in Gulu, Uganda each year for the years 2011 to 2014. This activity is undertaken with the financial support of the Government of Canada provided through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) through the Students for Development (SFD) program administered by the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC).
 
Each intern approved for the RRU Students for Development Internship program will live in Gulu, Uganda for three to six continuous months and will receive a minimum $6,500 to cover the cost of conducting the internship (e.g. airfare, accommodation, per diem). Additional funding is available for internships that last longer than three months.

Eligibility

Review the Caritas Gulu Archdiocese website to determine if this organization is a good fit for your academic goals.
Please be aware that the organization does not use religion in their development and relief programming, however, interns will need to be sensitive and respectiful that the work is conducted on behalf of the archdiocese.
 
Review the SFD webpage to ensure your eligibility for funding in the handbook under "Component 1: Internships for Canadian Student Interns".

Intern Activity
Interns will be placed with Caritas Gulu Archdiocese to support one of the three primary programming areas of the organization. One of the interns will also act as the public engagement specialist. Details of the positions are as follows: 
 
1. Building Peace
One to two interns per year will support this program, based on interest and skills. They will train Caritas staff in conflict management in annual three day workshops for the Humanitarian Project with an aim to increase support of the peace dialogue between Karamojong and Acholi. They will participate in field trips training local leaders on community disaster risk reduction measures, like planning for extreme drought, migration and Karamojong raids, and creating community awareness in the key areas about these risk measures. A community assessment will be conducted each year to identify action points in each area and interns will be required to attend weekly staff meetings and support other program activities.
 
2. Planting Hope (program currently on hold)
Depending on the skills or interest of the interns, one to two interns may be assigned to agricultural training, support and vocational skills training. They will also conduct community discussions on livelihoods and promotion of sustainable use of the environment and natural resources. A community assessment will be conducted each year to identify action points in each area and interns will be required to attend weekly staff meetings and support other program activities.
 
3. Returning Home - the Relief and Rehabilitation Program
One to two inters per year will participate in community discussions on developing post-war social and community structures, rebuilding leadership infrastructures and assisting in the integration of “returnees”. The ultimate purpose of recreating this social structure is to aid in reducing family and community violence and promote responsible living. A community assessment will be conducted each year to identify action points in each area and interns will be required to attend weekly staff meetings and support other program activities.
 
Public Engagement Specialist
One intern each year will act as the public engagement specialist for the team. He or she will be recruited for his or her expertise and interest in creating and sharing a piece that will be designed and disseminated for Canadian public awareness of development work abroad.
 
Public Engagement Requirement (for all interns)
While one person will be designated the public engagement specialist, each team member will be required to blog their experiences, participate in an online community, and present their overall experience in a public venue of their hometown. The online community will be created on either RRU’s student portal or on Facebook; the site will be chosen based on the collective advice of the first team sent to Gulu. Past interns will be encouraged to remain actively involved with future interns through this site so that a connection can be made and to develop mentorship relationships. Students will be encouraged to write about their specific project and social experiences so that past interns can see the continuance of their work experience. 

Application Process
Submit each of the following to the Office of Research by the application deadline:
1. Resume or CV and a cover letter that details your suitability for an internship in one or two of the above areas.
Items you might wish to cover in these documents include:
- How your experience and training can contribute to program goals of the Caritas Gulu Archdiocese in one or two of the programming areas as listed above,
- How the internship will satisfy academic credit in your program of study (if your program does not require internship, how does this opportunity relate to your major research project/thesis?),
- Experience you have travelling in developing countries,
- Ability to work effectively in teams, and
- Time period you are available for the internship.
 
2. Receive and forward permission from your Program Head to participate in the SFD program, understanding that access to the internet is often unreliable in Uganda and progress in regular course work may be difficult. A simple email is fine.

Mail applications and supporting documentation to:
Gwen Campden
Research Development Coordinator
Office of Research
Royal Roads University
2005 Sooke Road
Victoria BC, V9B 5Y2