2025 UNESCO
Host Organization: UNESCO
Website: https://www.unesco.org/en
Organization Profile: UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. UNESCO develops educational tools to help people live as global citizens free of hate and intolerance. UNESCO works to ensure that every child and every citizen has access to quality education. By promoting cultural heritage and the equal dignity of all cultures, UNESCO strengthens the bonds between nations. UNESCO fosters scientific programmes and policies as platforms for development and cooperation. UNESCO stands up for freedom of expression, as a fundamental right and a key condition for democracy and development. As a laboratory of ideas, UNESCO helps countries to adopt international standards and manages programmes that foster the free flow of ideas and the exchange of knowledge. The Communication and Information Sector, one of the 5 programme sectors of UNESCO’s mission is to promote freedom of expression, media development and media literate societies, and to build knowledge societies through fostering universal access to information, innovation for sustainable development and the preservation of documentary heritage.
City: Paris
Internship format: In-person
Internship Department: Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion
Department Description: The Section for Universal Access to Information and Digital Inclusion assist Member States to comply with and implement international treaties and agreements, norms and standards related to Universal Access to Information, contributing towards peaceful societies. Obstacles to access to information can undermine the enjoyment of civil and political rights, as well as economic, social and cultural rights. The Section provides assistance to Member States to promote linguistic diversity and multilingualism, through digital solutions, affirming the human right and fundamental freedom to express freely and receive information in language of preference of indigenous people.
Project description: This internship aims to support UNESCO’s initiatives in promoting multilingualism and linguistic diversity, specifically through the 2003 Recommendation on the Promotion and Use of Multilingualism and Universal Access to Cyberspace, the World Atlas of Languages, and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032). The intern will engage in various projects that contribute to the preservation, promotion, and revitalization of languages, with a particular focus on indigenous languages.
Objectives
- Promote Multilingualism in Cyberspace: Enhance the visibility and accessibility of multilingual content online, in alignment with the UNESCO 2003 Recommendation.
- Support the World Atlas of Languages: Contribute to the development and dissemination of the World Atlas of Languages, a comprehensive database of linguistic diversity.
- Advance the Goals of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages: Assist in digital empowerment initiatives aimed at safeguarding and revitalizing indigenous languages.
Key Responsibilities
1. Research and Documentation:
- Conduct research on best practices for promoting multilingualism and linguistic diversity online.
- Compile data and resources for the World Atlas of Languages.
2. Content Development:
- Develop educational materials and resources to raise awareness about the importance of linguistic diversity and Universal Acceptance.
- Assist in the creation of multimedia content (videos, infographics, etc.) to promote indigenous languages.
3. International Engagement:
- Collaborate with Member States that have National Action Plans to document and share their best practices in digital empowerment.
- Organize and participate in webinars, workshops, and events focused on language preservation and use.
4. Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Analyze data related to language use and diversity, identifying trends and areas for improvement.
- Prepare reports and presentations on project progress and outcomes.
Expected Outcomes
• Increased awareness and visibility of multilingual content online.
• Enhanced resources and data for the World Atlas of Languages.
• Strengthened efforts in the preservation and revitalization of indigenous languages.
• Comprehensive reports and recommendations to guide future projects and policies.
Number of Opening(s): 2
Work Hours and Internship Start/End Dates: (Monday to Friday, June 16 – August 22, 2025): The core working hours are from 9:00 to 18:00, with a lunch break from 13:00 PM to 14:00. Internship duration: 10 weeks
Work attire: Formal
Local language: French
Local language level needed: Not required
Additional desired intern qualifications:
Education: Master’s degree in technology, anthropology, linguistics, communication studies, international relations, development or a related field.
Language skills: Excellent knowledge of English and French; the knowledge of another official language of the Organization would be an asset (Arabic or Spanish in particular).
Competencies and skills:
- Experience in research, including language technologies, digital empowerment, gender equality.
- Strong analytical and writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Good lT skills.
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- Policies regarding travel (domestic or international) and international internships will be updated as University policies evolve. Visit International Affairs Health Advisories for the most current travel guidance and restrictions for international travel.
- Travel Reservations: All interns are strongly encouraged to utilize Stanford Travel, a centralized booking program, when booking airfare, hotels, or rental cars for their internship experiences. StudentUniverse is best for special student rates.
- Students must be enrolled at Stanford in the quarter when they apply for an internship opportunity (Winter), and will need to be enrolled in undergraduate study in the quarter when grant funding is disbursed (Spring). Applicants participating in off-campus Stanford programs are welcome to apply, but it is the responsibility of the applicant to compile, collate, and submit a complete application.
- Internship participants must certify that they are in good academic standing, and may not participate in the program or receive or retain internship stipends if they are on suspension.
- International students must consult with Bechtel about interning in the U.S. or traveling out of the U.S. in the summer.
- Each applicant can apply for a maximum of two program-arranged positions. If you apply for more than two positions, we will only consider the first two positions submitted. EXCEPTIONS: your application for program-arranged positions in Belgium, Estonia, and Latvia, are exempt from this restriction. Although you are allowed to apply to multiple positions in these countries and you might be selected for multiple positions, you can only be awarded with one internship.
- The Program is open to all undergraduate students. Seniors* or co-terms are eligible as long as they do not confer their undergraduate degrees until after they complete their internships to remain eligible. Coterm students must still have undergraduate status. Positions in South Asia and Iranian Studies are also open to Master's students in all majors. Positions in East Asia are open to MA students majoring in East Asian Studies. Note*: Only seniors who will be returning to co-term for all of next year, are eligible to apply for positions in Belgium and Estonia.
- Participants must be current Stanford students during the internship period. Seniors and graduating Master's students must postpone graduation paperwork until the internship ends, but may participate in commencement. For summer graduation requirements, including details regarding enrollment requirements and information about participation in the June commencement ceremonies, students should contact their major department's student services office and Registrar's Office for graduation quarter petition.
- Local language skills are based on the internship description requirements.
- Global Studies minors receive preference for the program.
- Preference will be given to students who have not had similar internship experiences in the same country or region i.e., students who haven’t already participated in an internship in this country or region.
- Students who have not been accepted into the Global Studies Internship Program should refrain from contacting any of the partner organizations listed in the internship list until they receive direction from Stanford Global Studies.
- Preferably, before beginning their internships, selected candidates should have taken at least one course regarding the internship region. The course can be taken in the quarter prior to the internship.
- Interns must commit to full-time work (a minimum of 35 hours per week) for at least 8 weeks.
- To be eligible for a stipend, students must maintain health insurance for the duration of their internship.
- Violations of Global Studies Internship Program policies are also violations of the Fundamental Standard and may be referred to the Office of Community Standards. Students who fail to abide by the policies set forth by the Global Studies Internship Program, Stanford Global Studies, and Stanford University, will have low priority or no longer be eligible for future Stanford Global Studies funding opportunities and programs. The Global Studies Internship Program reserves the right to rescind funding at any given point and time should they be apprised of any policy violations as outlined above.
For more information, please see Eligibility and Stipend.
For more internship positions provided by the Stanford Global Studies Internship Program, please see our internship listing.
If you have ANY questions, please email globalinternships@stanford.edu. Please also see the FAQ.
