OF UNPAID INTERNSHIPS!
My Reflection on the African Union UNPAID internship:
https://lnkd.in/dSQbrcPc
The AU has positioned itself as a champion of youth development and empowerment. However, the terms and conditions of its internship programme shows a troubling disconnect between its stated support for young people and the practical realities faced by prospective interns. The internship programme, despite its promising veneer, is fundamentally exclusionary & at odds with its mission to support and uplift young people. By imposing restrictive terms, the AU limits access to this programmes & perpetuates inequality among potential candidates.
1) One of the conditions is that the AU holds no financial obligation towards interns. This means that all costs related to travel, accommodation, and living expenses must be covered by the interns themselves. For many young people, particularly those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, this requirement creates a significant barrier to participation & is inherently limiting and fails to offer equal opportunities to all potential candidates.
2) The other condition is that "interns are not entitled to medical travel or medical evacuation to and from the internship location at the expenses of the Commission". Surely this places an additional financial and logistical strain on interns & further marginalises those who cannot afford comprehensive insurance..
Terms and Conditions
• The AU will have no financial obligation towards interns - travel arrangements and cost of accommodation and living expenses will be the responsibility of the interns.
• AU will use reasonable efforts to assist the interns in obtaining their entry and residence visas.
• Interns will not be entitled to any compensation for travel.
• The internship will be authorized only once for three (3) month renewable one time for any candidate
• Interns are not entitled to medical travel or medical evacuation to and from the internship location at the expenses of the Commission. Interns shall therefore have an individual insurance coverage throughout the duration of the internship.
If the AU genuinely aims to empower a new generation of leaders, surely, shouldn't it reconsider its exclusionary approach to internships? The AU should create a more equitable internship framework that reflects its commitment to youth development.
Amazing opportunity