Stephen M. Rivers
The Center for Democracy in the Americas created an internship to honor the memory of Stephen Rivers, a remarkable friend, a renowned publicist for Hollywood celebrities, a political activist, and someone who devoted much of his professional life to building cultural bridges between the U.S. and Cuba.
Our organization is now seeking applications from qualified undergraduates for this paid internship that starts September 2013.
Background on Stephen Rivers: Over the span of his career, Stephen represented some of the most recognizable names in entertainment, including Richard Dreyfuss, Oliver Stone, Anna Deavere Smith, Jane Fonda and former super-agent Michael Ovitz.
Stephen helped to organize events for the Middle East peace organization Seeds for Peace, the Magic Johnson Foundation and the music industry’s Rock the Vote initiative. As an activist Stephen is best remembered for his fierce dedication to changing U.S. policy toward Cuba and his work as a relentless bridge-builder who brought new people together, particularly young people, from Cuba and from here, to help champion the cause.
At CDA’s annual event honoring the “Unsung Heroes” of efforts to change U.S. relations with Latin America, we gathered Stephen’s family, friends, and colleagues to honor his work. During this event CDA announced the founding of the Stephen M. Rivers Memorial Internship. By bringing smart and committed young people to Washington, CDA hopes to honor and continue Stephen’s work and activism, and foster young activists passionate about changing Cuba policy. See below:
CDA’s Stephen M. Rivers Internship
CDA is offering a paid, full-time, nine-month position in Washington, D.C. for a uniquely qualified applicant with a special interest in Cuba, a thirst for activism, and an interest in pursuing a professional career in the foreign policy NGO community.
The Stephen M. Rivers Intern will spend nine months working side-by-side with CDA executive director and staff on projects and ideas that advance our goal of forging a new policy toward Cuba.
The internship focuses on these key areas:
- Assisting CDA staff with research and policy analysis
- Informing policy makers about what is happening in Cuba and how US policy should change
- Organizing and participating in travel to Cuba with U.S. policy makers
- Helping to research and write our weekly Cuba Central News Blast
How to apply
The next Stephen M. Rivers Intern will begin in September, 2013. Those wishing to apply should submit the following:
- Cover letter
- Resume including references
- Transcript(s) (may be unofficial)
- Brief writing sample (3-5 pages), content should be relevant
Candidates should speak Spanish and have outstanding analytic and writing skills.
All application materials for the position must be received by (UPDATED: APRIL 15th), 2013 and sent by email to riversinternship@democracyinamericas.org.
CDA will pay a stipend of $2,000 per month.
Information about the current intern
Emma Stodder is a sophomore majoring in History and Latin American Studies at Brandeis University. She is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and first became interested in Latin America when she traveled to Argentina in high school to study photography and do community service. Since then, she has continued to travel throughout the region, gradually focusing in on issues surrounding U.S. policy towards Cuba. Last summer, Emma interned at the Center for Democracy in the Americas for two months, and is honored to return to CDA as the first Stephen Rivers Intern. You can follow her blog here.
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