SPEAK: Crowdsourcing Language and Culture Exchange

Applied ICDSPEAK is a language and culture exchange that fights intolerance by promoting diversity, creating new networks and sharing languages. It is primarily based in Portugal (a country that is doing a particularly good job at accepting and integrating new immigrants), but also Spain, Germany, and Italy.

From their website: “SPEAK is a linguistic and cultural program built to bring people closer together – a crowdsourcing language and culture exchange between migrants and locals that breaks barriers, promotes multilingualism, equality and democratizes language learning. Anyone can apply to learn or teach any language or culture including those of the country where they are residing. Continue reading “SPEAK: Crowdsourcing Language and Culture Exchange”

BBC Series: Crossing Divides

Applied ICDBBC is running a series titled “Crossing Divides” which should be relevant to many followers of CID. The latest video is Two cultures, two languages, two teachers…one classroom. It shows the work of Hand in Hand, an organization which brings together thousands of Jews and Arabs in six schools and communities throughout Israel.

NOTE: Hand in Hand has a variety of volunteer and internship opportunities for those interested.

Intercultural Cities and Quality of Life

Applied ICDSince 2008, the Council of Europe, through its flagship programme Intercultural Cities, has supported more than 120 local authorities in Europe and around the world, in designing and implementing inclusive policies and strategies for migrant and refugee integration according to the Intercultural approach. Based on the notion of “diversity advantage”, these strategies are founded on the assumption that diversity can be an asset for communities if managed in a positive and competent way; they mobilise leaders, policy officials, professionals, businesses and civil society towards re-shaping city policies and services to make them more effective and engage citizens in building an understanding of the societies’ diversity(ies) as a competitive advantage for all.

A new study by the Migration Policy Group enquires whether the Intercultural integration approach advocated by the Council of Europe, leads to a better quality of life in diverse cities. The results confirm a strong statistical link between local intercultural policies and local well-being.

Continue reading “Intercultural Cities and Quality of Life”

Global Governance & International Law Summer School (Belgium)

Applied ICDGLOBAL GOVERNANCE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW SUMMER SCHOOL, 2- 6 JULY 2018, Leuven, Belgium.

The Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies (University of Leuven) and the Dean Rusk International Law Center (University of Georgia School of Law) are delighted to welcome you to study international law and global governance with us over the course of the week.

Through lectures, discussions, and a high-level conference, you will explore global governance – how state, regional, and international legal regimes, plus individuals, corporations, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, networks, and other nonstate actors interact. A range of global challenges will be discussed, such as trade and sustainable development, peace and security, human rights, the rule of law, and democracy.

Continue reading “Global Governance & International Law Summer School (Belgium)”

Venice Academy of Human Rights 2018 (Italy)

Applied ICDEIUC has announced the launch of its 2018 Venice Academy of Human Rights, an international and interdisciplinary programme of excellence for human rights education, research and debate. It provides an enriching forum for emerging ideas, practices and policy options in the field of human rights. The Academy hosts distinguished experts to promote critical and useful research and innovation through the exchange of current knowledge.

The 2018 Venice Academy of Human Rights will focus on “Migration, Mobility and Diversity: New Horizons for Human Rights”. EIUC is honored to welcome back Professor François Crépeau, former U.N. Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants from 2011 to 2017, current Director of the Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism at McGill University, Canada and recently appointed 2017-2018 International Francqui Professor at Université catholique de Louvain, to the Monastery of San Nicolò which he will act as the Academic and Scientific Coordinator of the Academy.

Early Bird: 11 April 2018
Registration Deadline: 23 May 2018

EIUC Venice School of Human Rights (Italy) 2018

Applied ICDEIUC is glad to announce the next Venice School of Human Rights, 9-16 June 2018. Registration deadline extended to 14 May 2018.

It allows its participants coming from all over the world to list these challenges and examine their reasons and possible solutions they can deploy. The EIUC Venice School at the same time, combines theory and practice and its faculty involves both academics and practitioners. The Venice School intends to highlight that the respect for human rights is the responsibility of all, that “Human Rights are our responsibility”.

Dialogue as a Peacebuilding Process (Canada)

Applied ICDEach year Canadian School of Peacebuilding (CSOP), an institute of Canadian Mennonite University, invites the peacebuilders of the world to gather in Winnipeg, Canada, for a selection of five-day courses in June. Come take a course or two for professional and personal development or for academic credit. We offer courses from local, national and international peacebuilders, to serve practitioners, professionals, activists, students, non-governmental organizations, and faith-based groups. Consider learning with this international network in various approaches to peacebuilding, justice, reconciliation, conflict resolution, and development. CSOP Dates: June 11-15, 18-22, 2018. Application deadline: April 1, 2018.

Join us for “Peace Skills – Dialogue as a Peacebuilding Process” at the 2018 Canadian School of Peacebuilding, with instructors Maria Ida “Deng” Giguiento and Paulo Baleinakorodawa. Courses are available for professional development, personal inspiration or academic credit. In a culturally and socially diverse society, discussion of differences is needed to facilitate understanding and build relationships among people. Through this course, students will explore their own and others’ narratives in various social and institutional contexts, while learning from each other’s perspectives and from the practice of dialogue. Students will expand options for taking action to create change and bridge differences at the interpersonal and social/community levels. This course is valuable for those engaged in group and community processes. This course is offered in partnership with Resolution Skills Centre (RSC) and Mediation Services and counts as 2 days of elective credit towards an RSC certificate.

Ryerson U Competition: The Global Challenge

Applied ICDRyerson University (Toronto, Canada) announces The Global Challenge. Your international stage to create social change. Deadline: 22 January 2018.

What is the Global Challenge? An opportunity to embody your passion and drive social change! Unlike your typical, solutions-driven business and pitch competition, Ryerson’s 2nd annual Global Challenge focuses on deeply understanding the context of a social problem. The Global Challenge is your chance to analyze and demonstrate your understanding of the local, national and international issues that you care about.

No solution? No problem. By working in teams or individually, you will dive into the ethos of a problem, map the landscape, identify opportunities and gaps before presenting your findings and solutions to others; with the hope of moving on to additional stages at a national and international level. Tackling social issues is no easy task, but understanding the broader context and complexity of an issue encourages mass participation, informs business ventures and long-term solutions.

Which social issue will you explore? #ChallengeAccepted

What kind of problems? Any local or global social issue you are passionate about! If you’re lost for ideas, we recommend taking a look at some of last year’s finalists, discussing topics with friends, family or reaching out to our coordination team.

Paper Airplanes: Turkish & English Tutors Wanted

Applied ICDPaper Airplanes is looking for volunteer Turkish tutors and English tutors, and English tutor coordinators for the spring term (Jan. 14-May 15, 2018). Paper Airplanes provides free, one-on-one virtual language and skills instruction to people affected by conflict. Our goal is to help our students learn critical languages and marketable skills for their pursuit of higher education and employment. No prior tutoring experience or Arabic language skills required, although both are appreciated. Please contact Paper Airplanes Director of Programming, Dr. Anna Farrell, with any questions.

International Electoral Observers Training (Italy)

Applied ICDInternational Electoral Observers (IEO) – Training by European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation (EIUC). March 19-24, 2018 (Italy).

Open and legitimate elections are at the basis of both sustainable development and effective democracy. Actions supporting the right to participate in genuine elections can play a major role in sustaining peace, security and conflict prevention. This support takes the form of electoral assistance projects and election observation missions, all activities that requires skilled and trained observers.

THE PROGRAMME

The aim of the training seminar is to deepen the theoretical and practical expertise on election observation missions in providing participants with practical skills which will be an asset in case of further applications as international observers.

Starting with a thorough introduction on the international observation theory and legal standards, the course will analyse the practical life of a short term observer from the selection procedure to the end of the mission including the observation of the polls, the filling of the forms, the reporting system and the code of conduct. The methodology will combine frontal lecturers in plenary, working groups as well as role plays, discussions and simulation exercises. Participants will also be introduced to the long-term election observation by analysing in depth some of the aspects related to an international observation mission such as working relations, interviewing techniques, media and security.

Deadline early bird enrolment: 25 January 2018
Registration deadline: 15 February 2018
Course dates19-24 March 2018
Venue: EIUC premises in Venice Lido at the Monastery of San Nicolò.