Internship with Movimiento contra la intolerancia

For the 2009 Spring Semester, I am participating in an internship program here in Málaga. I am part of a Non-Governmental Organization called Movimiento contra la intolerancia (or “Movement against Intolerance” in English), which fights to prevent violence and hate crimes by working to eradicate the two steps of intolerance that precede violence: prejudices and stigmatization. Though the term “intolerance” seems vague, we have specific workshops on various types of intolerance, such as: racism, xenophobia, anti-Semitism, homophobia, Islamophobia, etc. Brainstorming to find the most innovative ways to get today’s youth involved and informed, we then give presentations and hands-on seminars in local middle and high schools.

My position within the organization is two-fold. Half of my time is spent in local middle and high schools giving presentations and interactive seminars to students between the ages of 11 and 16 years. The other half is spent in the office, where I translate various materials, such as reports and informational materials that we send to other organizations, as well as published articles written by the President and other directors of the organization. Though I only started a month ago, I already have a sense of accomplishment, and I am fully enjoying being part of a team of highly-creative minds searching for a way to impact the future.