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Working at Nonviolence International

Christopher Dajer (in center wearing purple shirt.)

I began my internship with Nonviolence International at the beginning of the summer. NonviolenceÌýInternational is an NGO that has special consultative status at the United Nations, and in thatÌýcapacity it works primarily on four issues: Middle East peace, African solidarity, disarmament, andÌýcivil society-UN relations in general.

My work began with outreach to grassroots disarmament groups across the country: first, helpingÌýthem come together at the People’s Climate March, which took place on September 21; introducingÌýthem to two large grassroots networks helping organize the March (United for Peace and Justice andÌýPeace-Action); and then introducing them to two large international coalitions of NGOs in consultativeÌýrelationship with the United Nations (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons andÌýAbolish 2000), in hopes that increasing membership in these coalitions would increase the strength ofÌýcivil society at the UN, put greater pressure on the member-nations to follow through on their promisesÌýconcerning disarmament, and make more readily available the high quality materials produced byÌýthese coalitions to educate and motivate member-nations in their efforts to educate the public aboutÌýdisarmament as well as increase their membership and fund-raising dollars.

Christopher is pictured third from left.

This organization has been a strong motivation to me with the work they have accomplishedÌýand the work we are still trying to complete. The opportunity to not only work with great people andÌýlearn about the pressing issues of the day, but also to help improve the United Nations and participateÌýin its outreach has inspired me to do more and work hard for the betterment of such an important organizationÌýand its mission.

I found this internship through a volunteer listing website called VolunteerMatch.com, whichÌýput me in touch with David Kirshbaum, NYC Director of Nonviolence International, to set up anÌýinterview for the position. The application process was simple and quick (bring your resume and aÌýwriting sample) and has resulted in wonderful work both directly in the UN and in the community.