The Protection Project Human Rights Prize 

The Protection Project at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies ( SAIS) will award SAIS students “The Protection Project Human Rights Prize” to attend various conferences throughout the world. The purpose of these prizes will be to expose students to current issues in the field of human rights.

For the 2007-2008 academic year, the first prize in this competitive process will be granted to a SAIS student to attend the:

United Nations Global Initiative to Stop Human Trafficking

Vienna Forum to Fight Human Trafficking - Vienna, February 12-15, 2008

The Protection Project will cover travel and lodging expenses. All other expenses will be the responsibility of the student.

The Protection Project Background: The Protection Project is a human rights research institute based at The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies ( SAIS) in Washington, D.C. The Protection Project focuses on promoting human rights values throughout the world by engaging in academic research and conducting training, exchange, and fellowship programs focusing on issues of trafficking in persons and child labor, human rights education, women’s empowerment, state compliance with internationally recognized human rights and capacity building for civil society in developing and transition countries.

The Vienna Forum: Human trafficking is a worldwide phenomenon and manifests itself in many ways. The Global Initiative will analyze the problem from a wide range of geographical and thematic perspectives. Students will also have the opportunity to attend a parliamentary meeting prior to the conference. The Vienna Forum will focus on the following three themes: 1) Vulnerability: The reasons for which trafficking occurs; 2) Impact: Human and social consequences of human trafficking; and 3) Action: Innovative approaches to solving complex problems.

Eligibility Requirements: In order to be considered for “The Protection Project Human Rights Prize,” a candidate must:

1. Be a SAIS graduate student;
2. Have a proven interest in the field of human rights;
3. Demonstrate high academic achievement.

Application Instructions and Deadline: by Friday, December 21, 2007 interested students should email the following materials to Dr. Mohammed Mattar, Executive Director, The Protection Project at mmattar@jhu.edu:

1. Essay #1: A proposal describing the ways by which a country or region can strengthen its efforts to combat human trafficking (500 words)
2. Essay #2: A statement describing your interest in the issue of human trafficking and what you plan to gain from attending the Forum. (500 words)
3. Unofficial transcript from Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies
4. Updated C.V.

Students will be required to write a brief two-page memo upon return to the United States highlighting the themes and recommendations brought forward at the Forum. All applicants will be notified of their status no later than Friday, January 11, 2008.