Tulane Internship in the Kingdom of Cambodia
Flexible Dates
The Khmer Empire was once the most powerful force in Southeast Asia. More than 500 years after its collapse, its splendor survives in the art and archaeology of Cambodia. This heritage is among the kingdom’s most important resources, but having survived centuries of war and abandonment, may be destroyed by its own popularity. Looters are decimating ancient Khmer sites --- desecrating tombs, beheading statues, and ransacking temples --- in search of valuable antiquities to sell on the international market.
In response to this plunder, the Kingdom of Cambodia's Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts (MOCFA) is launching a department to study and combat the illicit antiquities trade. Thanks to a partnership with Tulane Law School, graduate students now have an unprecedented opportunity to become involved in this exciting work. Selected interns will travel to the capital of Phnom Penh, where they will work alongside Cambodian and international colleagues, assisting the government in one of its most crucial efforts.
In addition to making a valid contribution to Cambodia, interns will benefit from their work by:
- becoming competent in legal research, using both print and electronic resources, as well as archival research;
- developing a pragmatic understanding of a foreign legal system and public international law;
- analyzing legislation and making recommendations for improvement;
- assisting in the drafting of regulations, sub-decrees, and decrees; and
- gaining hands-on experience in cultural property law, a fast growing legal field of increasing importance
We are looking for approximately 5 interns to work in Cambodia for a minimum of four weeks (six weeks is the preferable length). Due to the project's large scope, there is much room to accomodate the students' individual qualifications and interests. The most important undefined and nonegotiable undefined quality is the willingness and ability to live and work in a developing country. Preferably applicants will have traveled overseas, and in the third world, but what they lack in such experience they could make up for in enthusiam. As for other requirements, a background in civil law would be helpful, as would a reading knowledge of French. An understanding of international law is also very important.
For more information, visit the official website.
