Transforming Cultures Project Assistants

Duration: Flexible: From 3-7 months or potentially longer.

Location: Ideally Washington, DC, but exceptional "virtual" candidates will be considered

Salary: Unpaid

The Worldwatch Institute is seeking interns starting immediately to help with the Institute's Transforming Cultures project. In January, State of the World 2010: Transforming Cultures: From Consumerism to Sustainability will be released. The goal of this book is to start a broad dialogue on how we can intentionally and proactively reorient cultures away from consumerism and toward sustainability using leading institutions, including business, the media, government, education, traditions, and social movements. (See the Table of Contents of the report here: http://bit.ly/SOW2010Contents).
Addressing specific environmental and social problems will not be as effective as cultivating sustainable cultures that by their very design will prevent side effects of a maladapted cultural model, such as climate change, obesity, and inequitable distribution of resources.

In the current phase of the project, we will primarily be focused on doing outreach for the report-including marketing its ideas and expanding its content through Transforming Cultures' blog (http://blogs.worldwatch.org/transformingcultures), helping to build networks of cultural pioneers that are helping to transform cultures, and raising funding to support the continuation of this project.

Depending on skill sets, interns will help in all of these processes, including writing for the blog if their writing ability allows. Experience in research or fundraising is welcome, as is marketing, web design, and outreach skills. Well-rounded candidates that are open to participate in all aspects of the project are preferred. Candidates should definitely have strong writing skills. Familiarity with global environmental issues and/or consumerism is also essential.

This internship is unpaid, but is an excellent opportunity to gain research and writing experience at a well-respected, internationally focused organization. Academic credit is available depending on the candidate's university's requirements. Hours are flexible, but the internship will likely require 15-20 hours per week for approximately 3 to 7 months. For those in the DC area interested in a longer internship, that is possible. The preference is for interns based in the DC area, however, exceptional candidates that can work virtually will be considered.

Application instructions:

To apply, please e-mail a cover letter and resume to State of the World 2010 Project Director Erik Assadourian at eassadourian (at) worldwatch.org, with "Transforming Cultures internship" in the subject field. Due to the volume of applications, we regret that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

About the Worldwatch Institute

The Worldwatch Institute is a non-profit, non-partisan globally-focused Institute that promotes sustainability through interdisciplinary research, writing and media outreach. Founded in 1974, the Institute produces two annuals, State of the World and Vital Signs, a magazine, World Watch, and assorted research reports, many of which are published globally. For more information on the Institute, please visit http://www.worldwatch.org/.