AHRC Welcomes New Batch of Interns

The Ateneo Human Rights Center (AHRC) recently welcomed its latest batch of interns who participated in its annual Summer Internship Program (SIP) – a total of 22 students hailing from Ateneo de Manila Law School, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, Saint Mary’s University (Nueva Vizcaya), and Western Mindanao State University (Zamboanga). The SIP consists of the following phases: (1) 5-day Basic Orientation Seminar (BOS), (2) 1-week immersion, (3) 5-week internship proper, and (4) 5-day evaluation. This program is geared towards the formation of the interns as lawyers, as human rights advocates, and the promotion of alternative lawyering as a tool to strengthen access to justice of marginalized and vulnerable groups.

During the BOS held in Antipolo, the interns underwent a crash course on the different human rights concerns. They also had the opportunity to learn about the various legal NGOs working on sectors such as peasant farmers, indigenous people, migrant workers, detention prisoners, victims of human trafficking, and the environment. The interns also participated in skills-building activities needed for their immersion and internship work. Finally, they participated in a workshop organized by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Then, the interns travelled to Zambales where they walked through more than 40 kms. of lahar to live and immerse with the Aeta of Botolan. With only a limited amount of clothes, food, and other basic necessities, and without the benefit of having mobile devices, the interns were submerged in the lifestyle of the Aetas. They learned how to eat, sleep, and work with the Aetas, as well as how to celebrate and have a good time with them. Some of them even managed to craft their own Sambal dictionary, the language used in the region. Others acted as paralegals and imparted legal knowledge to the Aetas. In their return trip, the interns went home with much lighter bags but with heavier minds and hearts.

Upon returning to Manila from their immersion, the interns were assigned to different legal NGOs for their internship proper. The NGOs primarily based in Metro Manila, include Saligan, HLAF (Ortigas), Kaisahan, Tanggol Kalikasan, LRC, Kanlungan, IJM, ALSC, and AHRC. Others are located in Visayas and Mindanao, namely as ELAC (Palawan), Balaod Mindanaw (Cagayan De Oro), PANLIPI (Iloilo) and HLAF (Cebu). For the Evaluation, the interns travelled to Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte where they shared their experiences and reflections and unwinded after a long summer. By the end of the Evaluation, the interns presented their batch name, which represents their shared experience. The batch chose “Kapatian”, which is the Sambal term for “sand”.

AHRC was founded in October 1986, a few months after the historic EDSA Revolution drew attention to the indomitable might that is People Power. The Internship Program, AHRC’s flagship program, is designed to mold law students as lawyers with consciences, who use their positions - wherever they may end up after law school - in order to help advance the cause of human rights and contribute to real changes in Philippine society. Since it’s inception in 1987, the Internship Program continues to exemplify the spirit of “Legem Disce, Populum Servi” – Learn the law, Serve the People.