Alternatives in collaboration with the Canadian International Development Agency and the Youth Employment Strategy is happy to offer environment internships. The 6 month placements include one month of training in Montreal and a five month work component with a host organization.
Internships available 2007-2008
(These internship descriptions are subject to change)
Position 1: Urban agriculture trainer, South Africa
Kayna college is a South African non-governmental organization whose mission it is to serve individuals and organizations in the most vulnerable areas of South Africa. It is a network of trade unions, grassroots organizations, student and youth organizations, church and ecumenical groups as well as other non-governmental organizations.
Position 2: Urban agriculture trainer, CTERA-CTA Educacion Ambiental para el Desarollo Sustentable en la Argentina.
CTERA-CTA Educacion Ambiental para el Desarollo Sustentable en la Argentina is the environmental wing of the Consejo de Trabajadores de Argentina (CTA) . It was inaugurated with the collaboration of Comahue National University in 1999. Its mission is to educate the general public on environmental issues specific to Argentina. It also seeks to give trainings to facilitate the implementation of sustainable socio-environmental projects
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Environment internships aim to support countries in the south and partner organizations to find innovative ways to improve the local environment. Participants not only benefit from an enriching work experience, but also the opportunity to collaborate in solidarity with a partner organization in the South.
Candidates must:
– be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person granted refugee status in Canada
– be between the ages of 19 and 30, inclusively
– have a post-secondary diploma (technical certificate, Cégep or university)
– not have already done a Youth Employment Strategy (YES) internship
– be underemployed or unemployed
– not be in receipt of Employment Insurance Benefits
– be willing to contribute to the costs of the internship via fundraising or other means
– be medically screened and approved by Alternatives
– have the appropriate interpersonal qualities to live and work effectively in another culture
Position 1: Urban agriculture trainer, South Africa
The intern will be tasked to to participate in the Rooftop Gardens project in Johannesburg, coordinated by Khanya College and Itoseng’s Orange Farm township. More specifically, the intern will be tasked to develop a strategic development plan and provide trainings for the garden’s members.
To this regard, the intern will:
– Coordinate a research project on environmental issues specific to the Johanesburg area.
– Participate in the development of a training manual of urban agriculture techniques.
– Organize and facilitate urban agriculture trainings
Necessary skills qualifications:
– a good understanding of horticultural principles, agriculture and/or organic gardening, including 2 years experience in this field or an appropriate diploma in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, biology, forestry studies etc.
– capacity to undertake manual labor in light construction, gardening, building.
– able to demonstrate a high degree of independence and motivation, as well as a commitment to or understanding of international development,urban gardening, community development, or working in the non-profit sector
– ability to organize and undertake workshops
– have the interpersonal and intercultural skills necessary to live and work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds
– a good knowledge of English
Position 2: Urban agriculture trainer, CTERA-CTA Educacion Ambiental para el Desarollo Sustentable en la Argentina.
Environmental education at the University of Comahue began in 1999 as per an agreement setup between the university and the CTERA. This partnership permitted the development of an environmental education program that it unique to Argentina and that now boasts 100 participants and 200 educators.
The trainings cover a vast number of themes, educational disciplines and have a strong social component. This is the result of the reflection that environmental education should be integral to all social institutions. The trainings also promote a holistic understanding of the environment. The trainings therefore exist win a constant process of retroactivity, across disciplines, educators and students, culture and nature, school and community as well as social organizations.
In this context, the intern will be tasked to:
– Coordinate a research project on environmental issues specific to the region of Buenos Aires
– Participate in the development of an urban agriculture training manual
– Organize and administer trainings on urban agriculture techniques
Necessary skills qualifications:
– a good understanding of horticultural principles, agriculture and/or organic gardening, including 2 years experience in this field or an appropriate diploma in agriculture, agronomy, horticulture, biology, forestry studies etc.
– capacity to undertake manual labor in light construction, gardening, building.
– able to demonstrate a high degree of independence and motivation, as well as a commitment to or understanding of international development, urban gardening, community development, or working in the non-profit sector
– this placement requires a large degree of independence and self-motivation, comprehension of international development issues and community development as well as urban gardening.
– ability to organize and undertake workshops
– have the interpersonal and intercultural skills necessary to live and work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds
– a good knowledge of Spanish
Training in Montreal
Alternatives offers participants a full-time training program in order to prepare them well for the overseas component of the internship program. Supervised by the environment project officers, intern will have the opportunity to receive pre-departure training in urban agriculture.
In addition, the participants will be tasked to:
– Organize fundraising activities and public education activities related to the project
– Participate in a pre-departure training at the Centre for Intercultural Learning, Ottawa
– Participate as an integral part of the rooftop garden’s team: tasks include: installing and maintaining the gardens, preparing and transplanting seedlings, facilitating trainings and public education urban agriculture activities, participate in team planning meetings, creating a portfolio of activities undertaken in Montreal for the host organization in Argentina.
Overseas internship
During the training portion in Montreal, the project officer from Alternatives will show the participant how to finalize aspects of the project description once overseas. Once arrived at the host organization, the participant will take a week to get acquainted with the new environment: move into accommodations, introduce themselves to their partners and familiarize themselves with the area, etc. After this, the participant will engage in carrying out the work plan in accordance with the needs and priorities of the host organization.
Who funds these internships?
These internships are funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
Are these internships paid?
Alternatives provides a weekly stipend of $250 for the three month training in Montreal and from $200 to $250 weekly for the overseas component, depending on the country of placement. In addition, Alternatives covers the following internship costs:
– return air fare to the overseas placement
– lodging overseas
– medical insurance with the Blue Cross
– visas if applicable
The interns must cover the following costs:
– vaccinations
– medical exams
Can I apply to defer my student loan payments?
Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) extends interest relief to eligible Canada Student Loan borrowers participating in the international internships. The responsibility for applying for deferral will remain solely with the intern, however Alternatives will provide a letter to be attached to the first application, confirming sponsorship.
Why do I have to fundraise?
Although the placement is funded by CIDA, it also relies on significant financial and in-kind contributions from Alternatives and the overseas partner agency. All interns must fundraise to help cover the general programmatic costs of the program before leaving for their placement.
Where will I live once overseas?
This depends on the country of placement. In some cases, interns will be placed with host families, while in other countries, interns stay in apartments or guest houses.
Who are the overseas partners?
Our partners are organisations working towards improving economic, social and political rights of persons and communities affected by poverty, discrimination, exploitation and violence.
** For more information on our overseas partners and our placements, please consult our website at: http://www.stages.alternatives.ca/ **
Info-stages evening: Wednesday, 2 May at 6pm, at Alternatives, 3720 av. Du Parc, Montreal, 2nd floor.
Application deadline: 25 May
Interviews: first week of June
Internship start date: beginning August
Overseas placement: beginning September
Please send your cv and cover letter to the attention of the ‘selection committee’, at stages@alternatives.ca. Please indicate that you are applying for the internship in communications in the subject heading
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These internships are possible thanks to the collaboration
of The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
