Law & Human Rights in Mongolia

  Mongolia

Ulaanbaatar

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Inquire for dates

Description: Our Law and Human Rights placements in Mongolia are based in the intriguing city of Ulaanbaatar, geographically the most remote capital in the world. Here you will live and work in close proximity to the city centre, but your walk to work will take you past a patchwork blanket of different habitations, from large tower blocks to tented 'Ger' districts. This is a Law internship unlike any other!

We work with a number of different organisations in the field of both Law and Human Rights. These organisations operate in fields that are constantly developing, as Mongolia changes to keep up with the rest of the world. Less than two decades ago the country was run by a government whose policies were very closely aligned to the Communist model. The legal framework in place was very much based on that of the former Soviet Union, but when that came to an end in 1990 so too did the old Mongolian system, with a new democratic state and constitution being established 2 years later.   

As one of the smaller world economies, and due to the vast area the country covers compared to its population the Mongolian legal system was based on customary law, and was initially rather slow to develop. In recent years, however an increasingly outward-looking country is now bringing about considerable and fundamental changes and you now have a chance to be involved in this process!

A voluntary Law internship in Mongolia will be a valuable addition to your CV in this notoriously competitive profession, and might just secure you that lucrative first job once you graduate. If you are currently in college, or looking to go into Law, then a placement with one of our partner organisations will give you some fantastic experience to talk about in a university interview.

Both Law and Human Rights Interns should expect to work from 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday, with the option of working longer hours if they choose. All volunteers need to show a good level of initiative; all our Law and Human Rights placements are fast-paced, and volunteers who seek their own work, ask questions and make an impact on their supervisors will have a first class learning experience.

Volunteering on a Law Internship in Mongolia with Projects Abroad

If you volunteer on our Law project in Mongolia you will work for a company that deals with a wide range of clients in both economic and legal fields, giving you a broad experience of this sort of work. You will be involved in many different aspects of the legal process; you may be interviewing people, writing legal opinions, researching for cases, or doing contract work.

One of our largest partner organisations operates as a consultancy to a number of large companies, both domestic and international. In addition to your other duties you may wish to provide your colleagues with some assistance with law-related English, to improve their confidence dealing with overseas clients.

To apply for one of our Law in Mongolia placements you do not need to have any legal experience, though if you are qualified or part-way through a legal qualification that would be a bonus.   We have a variety of placements suitable for all abilities.   All volunteers will be expected to speak fluent English, and have an interest in law the more questions you ask and the more you get involved, the more you'll gain from your internship.

Volunteering on a Human Rights Internship in Mongolia

Human Rights Law is a rapidly expanding area in the Mongolian legal system and you can have a great deal of involvement if you are prepared to show enthusiasm and willing. One of the areas you may be asked to look at is the state of human rights legislation in countries in the west, with the aim of developing the Mongolian model by lobbying the Mongolian parliament.

The organisations we work with work in a range of different areas. One organisation is particularly focused on women's rights, encompassing everything from sexism in the workplace to domestic violence. They work closely with a women's refuge which was set up with funding from the US government in 1998. Other areas include human trafficking and child protection, but these organisations are very flexible and will respond to any new direction that emerges.

Because many of the organisations we work with are not-for-profit there is a great deal of things that you can be involved with, which will give you a fantastic experience of the way the whole organisation operates. As well as working on individual cases, you might be asked to get involved in media relations (being in touch with volunteers on our Journalism project will be a great help here!) and find yourself networking with people from other organisations. You might be asked to look at the structure of the organisation and provide ideas on best practice. If you are comfortable with your writing abilities you may also be able to assist with the development of their website.

Highlights: Mongolia is a unique and adventurous place to spend time on a volunteer program or internship. Mongolia is a large country about a third the size of Europe sandwiched between Russia and China on the Asian Steppe. It's a country that conjures up images of far-off lands and a completely different pace of life. This image really is reality, in this land of Genghis Khan and wandering nomadic clans.

This is a destination for adventurers, with a history that encompasses Chinese dynasties and Soviet Communism. It's hard to imagine that this ancient state was once home to the people who ruled the largest empire the world has ever known - at one point stretching from Indonesia right over into Austria! The modern Mongolian is a descendant of Genghis Khan, a son or daughter of the Communist era and is living in a 21st century ancient state where Buddhist priests drive in Japanese jeeps across desert roads to their distant monasteries.

Its unhurried capital city, Ulaanbaatar, has many contrasts. Soviet-style high-rise blocks sit alongside traditional tents known as gers which are dotted around the city. Modern businesses thrive, while Mongolians walk the streets in traditional dress. Around a third of Mongolians belong to nomadic or semi-nomadic herding tribes, and away from the capital the lifestyle is much the same as it has been for centuries.
Care and Community

There are spectacular sights across Mongolia from rugged and bio-diverse mountains to the wilderness of the Gobi Desert (famed for its dinosaur bones!). It's a land crammed with ancient history and culture, with beautiful monasteries and stunning archaeological finds.

Qualifications: none

Cost in US$: From USD 2,445

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel.

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Mongolia Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992