The Penn Law International Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) has four programming elements – pro bono projects, advocacy projects, spring break fieldwork, and an international human rights career forum.
Pro Bono Projects
IHRA has developed partnerships with NGOs to provide Penn Law students with opportunities to conduct international human rights-related research.
If you are an NGO interested in working with IHRA, please email ihra@law.upenn.edu.
Advocacy Projects
IHRA organizes campaigns to educate the Penn Law community as well as the community at large on contemporary issues of international human rights. We have an ongoing initiative concerning Northern Uganda. This semester, IHRA will be looking at national security and human rights issues.
Spring Break Fieldwork
IHRA, along with other interested student groups, organizes a spring break public interest trip to an international destination. The purpose of this trip is to provide students with a chance to use their legal skills in an international, pro bono setting.
In 2007 Penn Law students traveled to El Salvador to participate in a public education and community development projects. The project included a public education and historical training seminar prior to departure, basic Spanish language instruction, an in country study-tour, and an opportunity to discuss legal rights with the local activits.
For the 2008 IHRA is planning a trip to conduct a comprehensive study of border issues. Over spring break Penn Law students will travel to the US-Mexico border. For additional information please see Spring Break Fieldwork
Career Forum
IHRA works with various groups (ILO, International Programs, Public Service Office) to bring in actors in the international human rights field to provide practical training and advice on advocating human rights issues and getting into this competitive field.