September 2, 2011
This summer, several Regent University law students interned with organizations dedicated to defending human rights around the world. These interns were sponsored by Regent Law's Center for Global Justice, Human Rights and the Rule of Law.
Second-year law student Natalya Merkuryeva-Dennett landed an internship in Moscow, working for a non-governmental organization (NGO) called Soprotivlenie that helps the victims and witnesses of crimes. During her time there, Merkuryeva-Dennett assisted the victims and the office staff as they cared for and advised the individuals who came to them for help. She also helped organize the 25th annual "Victim Support Europe" conference. "I knew for a while that I wanted to do some kind of nonprofit work helping and advocating for those who can't do it for themselves: children, women, the poor," she said. "It was great to help people to overcome difficult periods in their lives."
Before starting her second year of law school, Minyeon Ryou accepted an internship with Advocates for Public Interest Law (APIL) in South Korea. APIL is a nonprofit public interest law center working to protect the rights of refugees and victims of human trafficking. As part of a small group of interns, Ryou was tasked with finding efficient ways to educate people about human rights, especially pertaining to refugees.
"Using media, especially internet, would play a major role in influencing peoples' opinion and government will eventually listen to the voice of public opinion," she said. The group of interns was specifically tasked with creating and updating the organization's blog with stories of refugees and information about human rights issues.
"I do not just simply study law to make money or to earn fame in the future. I know I am called to do something higher, something that would please God," Ryou said after returning. "I have been called to learn how to serve God and His people by studying law."
At the European Center for Law and Justice, second-year law student Anna Ernest worked translating legal documents from English to Russian and researching the issue of the external politics of the Russian Orthodox Church. She also had the opportunity to visit the European Court and meet influential people in the European judicial system. "I feel very blessed and very thankful for the sponsors that made it possible for me to participate in this program. I am enjoying my time and find peace in serving the Lord in everything I do here," she wrote on the Center for Global Justice's blog.
In total, the Center for Global Justice funded 12 internships focused on critical human rights issues this summer.
Read more about these and other interns' stories on the Center for Global Justice blog.
PR/NEWS CONTACT:
Mindy Hughes, Public Relations
Phone: 757.352.4095 Fax: 757.352.4888
E-mail: mhughes@regent.edu
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