Project Description

As part of a team of up to six virtual interns, you will have an opportunity to work closely with the Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs (OPA), the State Department office that develops and implements U.S. foreign policy as it relates to the Arctic region and leads U.S. participation in the Arctic Council, the intergovernmental forum of the eight Arctic States.

As an intern, you will assist in designing a youth engagement action plan to enhance collaboration between the State Department and U.S. Arctic communities in Alaska, and to identify opportunities for amplifying youth engagement at the State Department and in the Arctic Council. This youth action plan will also include steps to engage with audiences in the American Arctic on issues ranging from sustainable development to environmental protection to Arctic governance as we conduct public outreach to explain the value of U.S. diplomacy at home and abroad. Efforts could entail researching and introducing proposals for ways in which youth voices are incorporated into policy-making in a meaningful and sustainable way.

Interns will be encouraged, as a part of the youth action plan design, to collaborate virtually with others from across the Arctic region on proposals for communicating youth contributions to or through the State Department and Arctic Council, whether through social media, dedicated websites, or other means. Interns may also develop social media content of regional relevance and interest on topics relevant to the Arctic governments and indigenous peoples. Your work will bolster OPA’s digital storytelling capabilities by creating engaging, creative materials for social media and digital communications. You will perform research to identify best practices, future partners, and opportunities for engagement for Arctic-focused outreach programs. When feasible, interns will also observe and participate in local events on relevant Arctic matters.

If you are interested in the intersection between the Arctic, diplomacy, and youth engagement, this is a perfect internship for you!

Required Skills or Interests

Additional Information

Preference will be given to students living and studying in the Arctic and/or Alaska.