IJR Transitional Justice in Africa Fellowship Programme

IJR Transitional Justice Fellowship Programme
9 May — June 10tth,, 2011 Cape Town, South Africa
Invitation to Nationals From Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation (IJR) is pleased to announce the convening of a five week Transitional Justice in Africa Fellowship Programme. This is a residential programme which will be held in Cape Town from the 9th of May to the 10th of June 2011. This year’s Fellowship Programme will be open to applicants from Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
Background to IJR
The Institute for Justice and Reconciliation was established in 2000 in the wake of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) to promote reconciliation, transitional justice and democratic nation-building in Africa by means of research, analysis and selective intervention.
Located at the interface between civil society and academia, it contributes to the building of fair, democratic and inclusive societies in countries undergoing political transition including: South Africa, Burundi, DRC, Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan and Zimbabwe.
The Fellowship Programme will be organized by and hosted within the Transitional Justice in Africa Programme (TJIAP) which is one of three IJR programmes. The other two programmes are the Reconciliation and Reconstruction Programme (RR) and the Political Analysis Programme (PA).
The TJIAP works at three complimentary and mutually supportive levels with African societies in transition, namely: engaged research and analysis, capacity building, and collaborative political intervention. The Institute seeks to achieve a creative balance between justice and reconciliation, development and human security, as well as contributing to the reconstruction of countries ravaged by war and oppression.
For more information on the IJR and its’ work, please visit www.ijr.org.za.
Background to the Fellowship Programme
The IJR has been hosting fellows from countries in political transition since 2000. The programme was designed to attract and bring together scholars and practitioners in the field of transitional justice to compare, reflect, research and write on their experiences and lessons learned from activities, projects and programmes in their respective countries.
Each Fellowship Programme invites candidates from specific countries in which the Institute is currently working. This year Fellows will be invited from Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
A rigorous selection process will ensure the targeting of professionals working with affected communities in the field of transitional justice in Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda and who are in positions to influence policy processes and disseminate their Fellowship Programme experience through practical activities when they return home.
The programmes’ purpose is to enhance participants’ skills and knowledge, with a particular focus on issues related to reconciliation and community healing within the context of transitional justice. Accordingly, the Fellowship Programme will engage with some of the key literature, themes, and mechanisms and will supplement teachings with practical experiences such as a community healing workshop, interaction with local organisations working in related fields and guided visits to historically significant sites.
Through informal classes with local experts, dialogue with practitioners, daily contact with IJR staff, self study and a close relationship with a senior academic mentor, the programme aims to more effectively equip participants to address challenges specific to democratic transitions by exposing them to various transitional justice tools.
A collaborative environment will foster information exchange and dialogue among participants, IJR staff and IJR  partners while self-study will be undertaken through research. It is hoped that participants will deepen their familiarity with the growing field of transitional justice theory and then apply this theoretical framework to the practical challenges currently facing their country.
The programme also includes a strong research component, with one of the outcomes being the writing of a transitional justice policy brief.
The IJR will cover all travel and accommodation costs for the duration of the fellowship and will provide a modest stipend for daily expenses.
Application requirements
To be considered eligible for this fellowship, you should meet the following criteria:
·         A post-graduate degree in a discipline related to Transitional Justice
·         4 to 5 years of relevant work experience
·         Good written and spoken English. This will be necessary to research and publish the assigned paper as well as to participate in group discussions.
If you are interested in applying for admission to this program, please submit to us the following documents in English:
·         A detailed resume or Curriculum Vitae of no more than 4 pages.
·         The full contact details of 2 contactable references
·         A letter of motivation indicating why you wish to participate in this program
·         An unedited writing sample of at least 3 pages in length, preferably on a topic broadly related to transitional justice issues. Published documents are welcome.
·         A one-page proposal outlining a topic of inquiry for a policy brief relating to transitional justice in your country, which you aim to write during the fellowship
The closing date for applications is the 18th of March 2011. Telephonic interviews will be conducted in the week commencing 28 March and successful candidates will be notified no later than by the 8th of April 2011.
NB Please email your complete application to Ms Anthea Flink on aflink@ijr.org.za with ‘Application to 2011 Fellowship: your name’ in the email subject line.
Only complete applications will be considered.

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