Sample cover letter for Internship position at HRW

I am a second year Political Science Honors student at.... India. I am writing to apply for the Summer Internship Program (June, 2016) in the Children’s Rights Division at the Human Rights Watch. I learned about the internship program offered by your organization while searching for work in the field of human rights, particularly the rights of children. Interning at the Human Rights Watch would allow me to continue my commitment to civil rights in education, and I feel confident that I could contribute substantively to the work of your office while strengthening the skills I’ll need for a career in human rights advocacy.

As an aspiring human rights lawyer, I endeavor to protect people from grave and sustained violations of human rights , while working towards spreading awareness about the same. While it is overwhelming to read about the rape of countless young children in South Sudan, the starving millions in Africa, or the thousands who fight the battle against terrorism each day in Syria, I only get motivated to work even harder towards achieving the goal of universal acceptance and implementation of children's rights.

My journey with children began last summer, when I had the privilege of interning with CRY (Child Rights and You), one of India’s largest NGO’s working towards securing the rights of children. As a member of their Academic Support Team, I was placed at a government home for girls where I taught mathematics and english to middle school children. Apart from teaching, I also used my strengths such as theatre, music and art to help the girls develop confidence as well as understand the value of self-expression. As Malala Yousafzai rightly put it, " One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world", I finally understood the role that education can play in changing the world.

While this experience made me grateful for all that I’m blessed with, there was also a sudden realization, a sudden urge to make a difference; and since then, I have not looked back. I have continued my association with CRY through the Child Rights Leadership Programme. Through this programme, I have actively worked towards spreading awareness about the importance of education, child labour, sexual abuse as well as other issues affecting the lives of children in India. From organizing documentary movie screenings to debates and group discussions, the focus of the CRLP team has been to sensitize the youth, for we firmly believe, the more people know about their rights, and the rights of others in society, the better equipped they are to secure them.

I believe that universal human rights begin in small places close to home such as the neighborhood one lives in; the school one attends; the office where one works. Such are the places where every man, woman, and child seeks equal justice, equal opportunity and equal dignity without discrimination. Unless these rights have meaning there, they have little meaning anywhere. Hence, it is imperative to expose the youth to the importance of human rights and encourage people to perform selflessdeeds; and it is this very exposure that I seek for myself through this prestigious internship opportunity.

Due to my prior experiences that have allowed me to engage directly with children, if given the opportunity, I sincerely believe I can bring fresh perspective to the table.

I have enclosed a resume highlighting my education and work experience. I have also attached my LOR and a writing/research sample. I hope to have the opportunity to interview with you about a summer position. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Looking forward to a positive response.