With the easing of Covid restrictions at the UN, ERI has resumed its volunteer Internship program. Zak Gainey from the UK commenced at the start of this month, and he will be joined later in the month by Katy Shenton also from the UK. A further four interns from Australia (2), South Africa and Northern Ireland have also had their applications approved and will look to take up their placements in 2023.
Zak Gainey offered the following information on his background and his hopes for his internship.
‘My name is Zak Gainey and I’m from Liverpool in England. I am currently a second year modern history and divinity undergraduate student at the University of St Andrews. After university I hope to work in Human Rights, either in the political or legal realm.
Before University I attended St Anselm’s Catholic College in Birkenhead, and it is here where I was first introduced to the life and teachings of Edmund RIce and the wider Network. I have been a part of the Edmund Rice Network since 2018. As part of the Network, I have been involved in two Edmund Rice Camps and I have been fortunate enough to travel to Belfast, Geneva and Sierra Leone.
I am very passionate about a variety of social justice and human rights issues, but I am especially interested in education and guaranteeing that women have equal access to education.
Outside of the world of human rights, I am also interested in journalism and travel, and in pursuit of these passions I have written several travel articles for a university magazine. I hope that this internship will enhance my understanding of the nature of global politics and human rights and allow me to give back to the Edmund Rice Network.’