Humanity in Action (HIA) fellowship programs will take place for five weeks in the summer of 2011 (June 2 through July 3) in Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Lyon, and Warsaw. Intensive and demanding, the HIA fellowship programs bring together international groups of college students and recent graduates to explore national histories of discrimination and resistance, as well as examples of issues affecting different minority groups today.

Each program is highly interdisciplinary, and features daily lectures and discussions with renowned academics, journalists, politicians, and activists, as well as site visits to government agencies, non-profit and community organizations, museums, and memorials. The programs seek to bridge the gap between theory and practice and highlight different models of action to remedy injustice.

The objective of the HIA fellowship is to facilitate a collective exploration of the social and political roots of discrimination, as well as to provide a forum where potential solutions can be considered and discussed. The programs are also intended to instill a responsibility among HIA Fellows to recognize and address the need to protect minorities and promote human rights—in their own communities and around the world.

To this end, HIA Senior Fellows (alumni of the HIA Fellowship) are expected to participate in HIA’s international network once their programs end—and to sustain their engagement in the issues addressed during the fellowship.

Eligibility for scholarship
Applicants to the HIA Fellowship must be currently enrolled students (sophomores, juniors, and seniors), or recent graduates (classes of 2009 and 2010) at accredited, four-year colleges or universities in the United States. HIA seeks applicants who are mature, proactive, self-reliant, and comfortable in intensive group activity and interaction. All majors and academic disciplines are encouraged to apply. Applicants may not apply to a program in a specific country and cannot choose their city of participation.

Costs
HIA covers the costs of participation and accommodation during the fellowship. However, all Fellows will be responsible for financing the cost of airfare to participate in the program. HIA will cover this cost for Fellows with documented need.

Last date to apply is January 10, 2011.

Website: http://www.college.columbia.edu/students/fellowships/catalog/humanity-action