Anthony Lester Fellowships: Making an Impact in Human Rights and Legal Advocacy
Table of Content
- Overview of Anthony Lester Fellowships
- Selection Criteria
- Post-Fellowship Opportunities
- Apply for the Anthony Lester Fellowships
Launched in 2024, the Anthony Lester Fellowships offer a transformative opportunity for early-career lawyers and law students passionate about human rights and the rule of law. Named after one of Britain’s most renowned human rights advocates, Anthony Lester QC (Lord Lester of Herne Hill), these fellowships enable participants to undertake practical fieldwork outside their home countries, making a tangible impact while contributing to the global promotion of justice.
Honoring Anthony Lester’s Legacy
Anthony Lester’s career was shaped by pivotal experiences in the 1960s when he worked as an Amnesty International delegate during the American civil rights movement. His report, Justice in the American South, and fellowship in the U.S. catalyzed his belief in law’s transformative power for political and social change. In his memoir Talking to Myself, Lester reflects that these experiences were life-changing, sparking his lifelong commitment to human rights and constitutional law. The Anthony Lester Fellowships seek to honor his legacy by offering similar life-altering opportunities to the next generation of human rights lawyers.
Fellowship Overview
The Anthony Lester Fellowships are designed to support early-career lawyers or law students in pursuing practical fieldwork that advances human rights and the rule of law outside their country of residence. These fellowships give participants the chance to develop their skills, contribute to real-world change, and deepen their understanding of global legal issues.
Fellowship Details:
- Number of Fellowships: Two fellowships awarded per academic year
- Stipend: $25,000 for a minimum three-month project
- Eligibility: Early-career lawyers or law students (no geographical restrictions)
- Project Requirements: Full-time fieldwork for at least three months, conducted outside the fellow’s home country
- Key Date:
- Application Deadline: January 20, 2025 (for the 2025–2026 academic year)
Selection Criteria
The fellowship seeks projects that meet the following criteria:
- Promote Tangible Change: Projects must aim to achieve measurable improvements in human rights or the rule of law.
- Focus on Fieldwork: The fellowship prioritizes hands-on work in the field over academic research.
- Demonstrate Realism and Feasibility: Proposals should outline practical and achievable goals.
- Offer a Transformative Experience: Projects should provide fellows with new experiences that align with their career goals.
- Reflect Diversity: The fellowship supports projects across various geographical and thematic areas to foster diverse perspectives.
Post-Fellowship Opportunities
Upon completing their fieldwork, fellows will:
- Present Their Work: Fellows will present their projects at Bard College in New York’s Hudson Valley, with travel and accommodation covered.
- Submit a Project Report: A report will be published on the Human Rights Project website, with the option for further publication elsewhere.
- Engage with Collaborators: Fellows will have the opportunity to reflect on their work with collaborators of Anthony Lester, including members of the Odysseus Trust, to discuss the impact of their contributions.
Apply for the Anthony Lester Fellowships
If you’re an early-career lawyer or law student eager to advance human rights and the rule of law through hands-on fieldwork, the Anthony Lester Fellowships offer a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.
- Fellowship Details:
- Two fellowships awarded annually
- $25,000 stipend for a project lasting a minimum of three months
- Open to early-career lawyers or law students
- No geographical restrictions on applicants
- Project must be undertaken outside the fellow’s home country
- Application deadline for the 2025–2026 academic year: January 20, 2025
The application portal will open on November 1, 2024, with updated guidelines available at that time.
How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to Scholarship at Uniplus Global to apply
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