Global Solutions Education Fund Pittsburgh

An independent 501(c)(3) educational organization, is the local affiliate of Citizens For Global Solutions, a national organization working toward global solutions to global problems. Our organization has been educating western Pennsylvanian citizens about our global interdependence for over fifty years.

Vision

Global Solutions envisions a future in which nations work together to abolish war, protect our rights and freedoms, and solve the problems facing humanity that no nation can solve alone. This vision requires effective democratic global institutions that will apply the rule of law while respecting the diversity and autonomy of national and local communities.

Mission

We are a membership organization working to build political will in the United States to achieve our vision. We do this by educating Americans about our global interdependence, communicating global concerns to public officials, and developing proposals to create, reform, and strengthen international institutions such as the United Nations.

Issues

Global Solutions Pittsburgh works on the issue areas listed below:

U.S Global Engagement

Peace and Security

International Law and Justice

International Institutions

Health and Environment

Programs

Through our various educational and advocacy programs, we strive to create a broad base of support in the United States for a 21st Century foreign policy built on the values of cooperation, teamwork and burden sharing; one that affirms the importance of working with our friends and allies and promotes closer American cooperation with and support for international institutions, such as the United Nations.

Advocacy Programs

Global Solutions Pittsburgh works with community activists and coalitions to help build support for a foreign policy built on the values of cooperation, teamwork and respect. We work with public officials and through the media to develop popular support for an America that works with international institutions like the United Nations to solve global problems like terrorism, climate change, war, poverty and human rights abuses.

Signature Events

Since its founding, Global Solutions Pittsburgh has developed and maintained several programs which are not only traditions, but our signature events. Beginning in 1947, the Pittsburgh Chapter has held a Spring Dinner each year for which a nationally recognized speaker has presented the keynote address. Every December, our members attend the Membership Meeting to meet new board members, elect officers and hear a new perspective on international issues. And the Pittsburgh Chapter recognizes the work of local individuals or organizations committed to peace with an award in honor of Norman Cousins.

Speaker Series

A major guiding principle of Global Solutions's programming is to increase local awareness of global issues and the role of international law. Co-sponsored with the Center for International Legal Education at the University of Pittsburgh, the McLean Lecture on World Law is one of our most prestigious events. Less formal is the monthly Global Issues Lecture Series, co-sponsored by the Global Studies Program of the University Center for International Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Youth Programs and School Visits

Global Solutions Pittsburgh puts special emphasis on raising global awareness among local youth. In fact, the Pittsburgh Chapter is a co-sponsor for both the University of Pittsburgh and the Duquesne University Model United Nations Conferences. In addition, members of our staff are available to make presentations about various topics to interested students about Model UN and UN structure and procedure, and discussion of a range of international issues such as global warming, the situation in Darfur, and human trafficking.

Act 48 Workshops

Global Solutions Pittsburgh offers training workshops for high school teachers that focus on current global issues. The workshops feature expert speakers presenting on a variety of topics and ideas. They are designed to assist you in integrating the themes into your classroom and are approved for Act 48 continuing education credit hours.

Each workshop provides background on the issues, reviews teaching methods and resources, and presents activities and learning tools that can be used in your classroom. The workshops are an opportunity to network, to share your global issues teaching experiences, and to discuss ways in which teachers can work together to engage their students.

Program Internship

The Program Intern gains firsthand experience both developing new programs and implementing programs already in place. Each year, we co-sponsor numerous educational programs including the McLean Lecture on World Law, Global Issues Lectures, and several local Model United Nations Conferences. Program development internships offer a range of professional development activities from media relations, event planning, and non-profit management.

Specific activities of a program intern may include:

* Gathering information and assisting in the planning and implementation of upcoming educational programs;
* Collaborating with local organizations for events and organizational outreach;
* Working closely with the Program Associate to develop new program ideas and create program proposals (sometimes includes grant writing); and
* Drafting articles and researching special topics for the quarterly newsletter.

This internship frequently requires some evenings and weekends as part of this internship is planning, coordinating, and assisting with events.

Who: College students who are interested in non-profit operations, advocacy and global issues.

To apply, e-mail resume, cover letter, and 1-2 page writing sample to Buky Williams, Program Associate (buky@globalsolutionspgh.org).