INTERNATIONAL POLICY AND DIPLOMACY FELLOW

The United Macedonian Diaspora (UMD) is a leading international non-governmental organization addressing the interests and needs of Macedonians and Macedonian communities throughout the world. The UMD is a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., UMD has an office in Melbourne, Australia and Toronto, Canada and representatives in Los Angeles, Chicago, Paris, London, Brussels, Vienna, Kiev, Perth, St. Petersburg, Sydney, and Stuttgart.

UMD’s purpose is to offer Macedonians throughout the world a forum where their voice can be heard, to advance their interests, emphasize the importance of enhanced understanding between the global community and Macedonian people, as well as supporting democracy, freedom, peace and prosperity in the state of Macedonia, and Southeastern Europe.

Objectives

• Safeguard the rights of Macedonians around the world;
• Strengthen the unity among the Macedonian Diaspora;
• Act with and on behalf of Macedonian communities before governmental and international bodies;
• Cooperate with the world community, promoting the universal ideas of peace, freedom, self-determination, and equality.

Policy Issues

• Advance Macedonian interests through educational advocacy, charitable efforts, and social and cultural events;
• Support the Republic of Macedonia's constitutional and rightful name;
• Defend the Macedonian ethnic identity;
• Support the human rights of Macedonians in Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, and Serbia;
• Improve relations among Macedonia and the United States, Canada, Australia, Russia, European Union, and support accession into NATO and the EU.

The UMD offers internships throughout the year. The internship program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students interested in Macedonia and Southeast Europe. The internship can serve as an effective means to introduce and advance a future career in foreign policy, journalism, public relations, human rights, advocacy, government, or the nonprofit sector.

The responsibilities of the intern may include:

• monitoring legislation and congressional hearings;
• liaison with Congressional offices and advocating on subjects vital to the UMD;
• attending events throughout Washington, D.C.;
• conducting research on issues affecting U.S.-Macedonia and U.S.-Southeast Europe relations;
• preparing memoranda;
• drafting letters to the Congress and the Executive Branch;
• drafting press releases, monitoring human rights in Southeast Europe;
• organizing events throughout the U.S. and the world; and;
• assisting with general administrative duties.

The organization extensively works on EU and NATO-related issues as well and the intern will gain considerable insight and experience into how the EU and NATO operates.

The internship is open to undergraduate and graduate students. Prospective applicants from a variety of academic majors are welcome, and all majors are eligible.

Candidates for UMD should expect to work a minimum of 15 hours per week during the academic year and 35 hours per week during the summer. This position is unpaid. However, a small stipend may be available.

GPA must be 3.5 and above.

Qualifications

---

• Ability to work independently;
• Highly motivated, responsible and reliable individual with strong research and writing skills;
• Excellent oral communication skills;
• Strong organization skills;
• Comfortable with public speaking;
• Good at problem solving and developing his/her own initiatives;
• Team player.

Contact Details

---

Contact:

Metodija Koloski

Telephone:

2022943400

Email:

mkoloski@umdiaspora.org

Application Instructions

---

Students that are interested to learn more about the current state of affairs in Macedonia and Southeast Europe are welcome to apply for an internship with UMD.

To apply for an internship, please send a copy of your resume, writing sample(s), and a brief description about your interests in the Southeast European region, especially Macedonia, to UMD President Metodija A. Koloski atmkoloski@umdiaspora.org.