Bolivia: CDC – Training and Civil Rights

About the local hosting organization

Founded in 1993, Training and Civil Rights (CDC) is an NGO dedicated to fostering a culture of peace and human rights. The organization achieves this by providing education to vulnerable populations, including children and adolescents from disadvantaged families, and individuals deprived of their liberty. CDC also offers legal assistance to these groups. A key initiative is the annual legal training program, designed for university students (primarily law students) and practicing lawyers, to enhance their understanding of human rights. Graduates of this program then engage in fieldwork, conducting human rights workshops for children, adults, prisoners, police, and others, or working on specific legal cases. CDC’s work extends to adolescents and students in social and scholastic settings, adults (primarily women), civil society organizations, penitentiary populations, and security forces. The NGO’s core programs include the Human Rights Training Program, Juridical Orientation Program, and Juridical Training Program.

Presentation of the programme

The volunteering program runs once a year only. Volunteers first study for a period of approximately one month, each day listening to a presentation on a specific legal concept or the work of CDC. After this, the volunteer must complete an exam to be admitted as a CDC volunteer. Upon successful completion, they can work within the human rights training program (giving workshops to the groups outlined above) or within the juridical orientation program (working on specific cases) if they have knowledge of the Bolivian legal system. In addition, various fairs and activities are held to increase public awareness, in which the volunteer can participate. A highly rewarding project for a volunteer with drive, enthusiasm, sensitivity to legal issues and working Spanish.

About the location

Central La Paz and Sopocachi

Requirements

The volunteer must be a lawyer, a law student in their final year, have experience in this field or have studies in the field of communication or psychology. Some knowledge of Spanish with a view to improving quickly, as they will have to understand presentations on legal concepts and engage in public speaking.