How to Become Involved

in supporting the work of
Common Bond Institute
and it's work in the world

Volunteer and Internship Opportunities!

Internships and volunteer opportunities with CBI are available year round that can be custom-designed to match your skills and interests with the needs of our international programs. The nature of this work - reaching out to people all over the world, lends itself to being done long distance, particularly given access available through the Internet. Face to face experiences such as participating directly in the ICR Conference in Russia are also available.

INTERNSHIPS are available for related fields, in cooperation with the International Humanistic Psychology Association (IHPA). CBI and IHPA provide placements in a number of fields, including but not limited to psychology, social work, communications, education, sociology, mediation, community development, political science, journalism, computer programming, and finance. After discussing the types of activities and supervision available with CBI, students are advised to consult with their department and/or professors regarding criteria and requirements for academic credit. Research opportunities also exist.

VOLUNTEER placements offer meaningful professional work experience that can be documented for resumes, unique opportunities to meet and work with leading edge international thinkers and practitioners, contacts with organizations throughout the world that can potentially open job opportunities, and rich personal experiences.

Examples of Available Work Include
        (but are not limited to):

• Promotion of our programs, including the Annual International Conference on Conflict Resolution (ICR) and other international conferences and projects (listed below) through Internet research and promotion (identifying organizations and web sites to post notices on conference and projects, and monitoring these placements), press releases, networking with relevant organizations and individuals, posting at conferences, meetings, and university departments, mailings, etc.

• Public Relations / Media coordination: Assist in developing and implementing public relations programs, press releases, networking with media resources, etc. to raise awareness of CBI and our efforts and to build support.

• Web site: assist in design and development of content and features for CBI web site, including interactive components (for E-conferencing, E-dialogues, and E-working groups) and database capabilities. We are significantly expanding our website and using it in unique, innovative ways, including the operation of our conferences and to continuing the process following the events. This is an opportunity to be involved in an exciting, ambitious endeavor that links our international conferences (as well as efforts of cooperating organizations) and our expansive global network into a dynamic, interactive hub through our website.

• Editing the Journal of Conflict Transformation (virtual journal), the CBI virtual newsletter, and materials for our resource library offered through our web site.

• Funding development: assist staff in identifying and researching funding opportunities (including grants and corporate donations), writing and submitting grants, and assist with fund raising campaigns.

• Data base development to improve on current internal data management systems.

• Desktop publishing for conference on-site program and other publications.

• Registration

• On-site conference staff assistance, including assisting with logistics, operating programming, monitoring and assisting presenter sessions, assisting participants, etc. Another aspect of on-site assistance for those with Internet skills is integrating our use of the website in-process to post content as it emerges from the conference experience each day and create related topical E-dialogues that participants can join during and immediately after the conference.

• Assisting in program development.

Creative ideas are always welcome. Depending on the amount of work and time put in before hand, an intern or volunteer can earn a discount or waiver of the conference fee portion of costs and take part in the ICR Conference in Russia. For details on these current efforts refer to links in the side menu.

 Current Projects

1.  3rd Annual International Conference on "Engaging The OTHER"  September 4-7, 2008  ~  San Francisco, California  USA  
An annual international, multidiciplinary conference series held in conjunction with an upcoming edited book in progress addressing psycho-social concepts of "The Other" in a cross-cultural forum. The conference, like the edited book, is an integrated collaboration to examine this fundamentally subjective phenomenon with a multicultural eye for the purpose of stimulating more public dialogue and exploration in promoting increased understanding, sensitivity, and compassion. It is endorsed by over 85 universities and organizations internationally and Registration is open to all participants globally.
2 page Color ETO Conference Flyer to Post and Share (in PDF)
             1 page Color ETO Conference Flyer (in PDF)

2.  16th International Conference on Conflict Resolution (ICR):
2009  ~  St. Petersburg, Russia 
An annual, multicultural, multidisciplinary event and community building experience that transcends artificial barriers. It brings together hundreds of presenters and participants from around the world for critical dialogues, sharing programs and perspectives, and practical training in conflict resolution, and each year promotes cooperation and collaborations between participants and organizations represented. It is endorsed by over 85 universities and organizations internationally and is open to all participants globally.

3. International Youth Conference on "The Ecology of War and Peace"  St. Petersburg, Russia, A parallel youth conference held during the ICR Conference, addressing issues of negative stereotypes, predjudice, and demonizing and dehumanizing individuals and groups. The theme of ecology and environmental consciousness is used as a common link all parties can resonate and experience being "on the same side" with as they also delve into personal interactions and explore the above relationship dynamics. Included in this process is exploring the ecological impact of human wars. A virtual Global Youth Community, for and operated by youth participants, is currently being established through CBI's web site to continue future dialogue, cooperation, and joint projects beyond the conferences. It is endorsed by over 80 universities and organizations internationally and is open to all participants globally.

4.  Catastrophic Trauma Recovery Project (CTR): a project to train local professionals in trauma recovery skills who are from developing countries and regions of conflict assisting large populations of victims of trauma due to war and violence. Current efforts include establishing a children's trauma treatment center, Bait AlHayat / House of Life, in Nablus, Palestine.

5.  Capacity For Peace and Democracy - Palestine: A collaborative project with Al Azhar University In Gaza and the Arab American University In Jenin - AAUJ (West Bank) in the West Bank to establish a Center for Conflict Resolution and Human Rights at each university, and provide a pool of visiting professors and curriculum in Human Services (psychology, social work, health science, education) and Civil Society (democratic studies, conflict resolution/mediation, government, political science, economics/business).

Projects Under Development
        for Immediate Implementation:

     Expansion of our global Internet Web Site, to include:

     a.  Journal of Conflict Transformation - a virtual journal of articles contributed from our conferences, projects, and network, including the Annual International Conference on Conflict Resolution (ICR) and the International Conference on "Engaging The Other" (ETO).

     b.  Virtual Resource Library of training programs, writings, audio and video recordings of conference proceedings, etc. to be made available to individuals and organizations represented at CBI's conferences and training programs.

     c.  E-Dialogues and E-Working Groups to promote and support on-going global dialogue, networking, and collaborations between participants of CBI's conferences and programs, and to build toward future events for maximum impact.

     d.  E-Training Programs to promote advancing the knowledge and skills of human service and civil society professionals, and increasing local capacity to assist underserved communities in developing societies.

     e.  "Connections" CBI Virtual Newsletter

     f.  Global Youth Community - A virtual community of participants of our youth conferences and programs housed on the CBI web site. Initially it offers it's own newsletter, topical E-dialogues, and photo album.

     g.  Creating a topical directory of products, projects, and collaborations by alumni that have grown out of the ICR Conference over the years, some of which CBI collaborates on, with links to related web sites or hosted sections of our site.

    h.  Hosting web pages for various groups we are cooperating with throughout the world.

    We are always working to develop a strong pool of volunteers and interns
to help share in the exciting international work of CBI and IHAP.
In addition to personal satisfaction, our intent is that this experience
offers you valuable personal and professional development.

Please Contact Steve Olweean, Director.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
--Margaret Mead