Inside E-LAW U.S.: Global Interns and Legal Externs

E-LAW U.S. Provides Global Interns

Cadence Barkhurst and a climate balloon. The balloon is used in German schools to educate students about global warming and energy use. The balloon represents the amount of CO2 the average German citizen produces, in one day, through transportation, heating, and electrical use.

E-LAW U.S. is helping university students gain professional experience overseas, while they provide valuable support to E-LAW partners around the world.

Cadence Barkhurst, a student at the University of Oregon, is now in Berlin, Germany, working with E-LAW partner Michael Zschiesche at the Independent Institute for Environmental Concerns (UfU). UfU was founded in 1989 by 40 scientists seeking to protect and restore Germany`s ecological balance. Michael is one of two lawyers on staff. He has collaborated with E-LAW U.S. for many years.

Cadence writes: "I`m working on...the most exciting task yet, reviewing the EU Public Participation and Environment directive and other materials for implementation into German law. My work is in preparation for an UfU workshop on the Aarhus Convention* and NGOs, to be held in November!"

Cadence`s four-month internship is sponsored by IE3 Global Internships, a regional program of the Oregon University System. E-LAW U.S. Education Director Carolyn Sykora helped Cadence connect with UfU and is now identifying more E-LAW partner organizations seeking student interns in 2006.

The experience can be life-changing. Cadence writes: "The last few weeks here have been monumental for me. I know now, without a doubt, that I want to pursue an environmental law degree...being able to see the work and life of environmental lawyers in action at UfU, and on the E-LAW network, I`ve found the final inspiration I needed. ... My work at UfU and with E-LAW has already had long-lasting impacts on my career and life!"

IE3 Global Internships are available to undergraduate and graduate students at select universities in Alaska, Minnesota, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. For more information, see http://ie3global.oregonstate.edu.

* The UN Economic Commission for Europe`s Aarhus Convention is a unique agreement linking environmental rights and human rights. It guarantees access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. UfU is working to bring this agreement to Vietnam.

(Left to right) Rachel Kastenberg, Catherine Seelig, and Brianna Tindall

Fall 2005 Legal Externs

E-LAW U.S. thanks legal externs Rachel Kastenberg, Catherine Seelig, and Brianna Tindall, for helping E-LAW advocates around the world better protect the environment through law. The E-LAW U.S. externship program operates in collaboration with the Environment and Natural Resources Program (ENR) at the University of Oregon School of Law. Rachel, Catherine, and Brianna will receive academic credit for their work with E-LAW U.S. during fall term 2005. These externs help E-LAW U.S. deliver high impact work around the world. Many thanks to ENR Director Adell Amos for making this collaboration possible.