The Center for International Environmental Law is pleased to offer the Louis B. Sohn Fellowship in Human Rights and Environment. The Fellowship commenced in 2004 and recognizes a recent law graduate working in the area of human rights and the environment. In particular, we are looking for emergent leaders in the field of human rights and the environment that have had significant on the ground experience working on human rights issues. The Sohn Fellow works at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) in our Human Rights and Environment Program. In recent years CIEL has grown to become a leading human rights and environmental law organization, promoting the important link between these two vital areas.

Working under the supervision and mentorship of experienced international lawyers, the Sohn Fellow will seek to identify and develop connections between human rights and environmental protection, integrate the theoretical and advocacy approaches of the two movements, and provide a more just, equitable and sustainable approach to natural resource management--all goals of CIEL's program. The Sohn Fellowship will provide support for professional travel for the Fellow, e.g., to meetings of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights or to hearings of the European Court of Justice or the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

The Sohn Fellowship is named after Louis B. Sohn, the renowned international law teacher, scholar, practitioner, and governmental advisor. Professor Sohn has been a giant in the fields of both international human rights law and international environmental law, and he was a firm believer in the inter-connection of all branches of international law. Professor Sohn, who taught at the law schools at Harvard University, the University of Georgia, and George Washington University, was the first recipient of CIEL's Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Development of International Environmental Law. For more information about Professor Sohn, go to http://www.ciel.org/Announce/Award_Sohn03.html.

Applying to the Sohn Fellowship

To apply for the Louis B. Sohn Fellowship, please send a letter, resume, and writing sample the address listed below. In addition, please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the Sohn Fellowship. You should also send an additional essay that describes your interest and background in human rights and the environment, and how you think that legal instruments can or should be used to protect human rights and the environment (maximum of 500 words).

Center for International Environmental Law
Attention Intern Coordinator
1350 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Suite 1100
Washington, D.C. 20036

You may also email your materials to: splagakis (Please, no calls)

Previous Recipients of the Sohn Fellowship

• 2009: Ana Paula Parente (Brazil)

• 2008: Victoria Ochanda (Kenya)

• 2007: Linda Dumba (Namibia)

• 2006 - 2007: Windu Kisworo (Indonesia)

• 2004 - 2005: Adebukola Osuntogun (Nigeria)

To apply for the Louis B. Sohn Fellowship in Human Rights and Environment, please follow the normal fellowship application procedures, as detailed on the Intern Fellowship application page. In addition, please indicate in your cover letter that you would like to be considered for the Sohn Fellowship. You should also send an additional essay that describes your interest and background in human rights and the environment, and how you think that legal instruments can or should be used to protect human rights and the environment (maximum of 500 words).

How to Contribute

The Louis B. Sohn Fellowship in Human Rights and Environment is funded by individual donations. You can contribute by credit card on CIEL's website, or you can send a check payable to CIEL to 1350 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20036. Additionally, there are many other types of gifts that you may want to consider in your financial and estate planning--gifts that may give you tax benefits while providing CIEL with support for this Fellowship. We recommend you consult your attorney or financial advisor and call us to discuss these giving options.

However you chose to give, please give as generously as you can and be sure to note that your contribution is designated for the Louis B. Sohn Fellowship. The following categories for giving and the current list of donors may help you in your decision. Thank you for your consideration.

• President's Circle - $5,000 and above
• Founders' Circle - $1,000 - $4,999
• Fellows' Circle - $500 - $999
• Friends

As of January 2008, donors include:

For more information, please contact Sofia Plagakis.

Please also see CIEL's International Environmental Law Award, of which Louis B. Sohn was the inaugural recipient.

This page last modified on 22 September 2009.