Alternative Economy Internship Program

The Mexico Solidarity Network is looking for students, groups, recent graduates or community organizers who are interested in doing an internship in their city. There is no need to relocate for the internship and you can do it while attending college, high school or even working another job! The internship program is part of a fair trade/solidarity program organized by the Mexico Solidarity Network in coordination with three Zapatista women's cooperatives and a Zapatista coffee cooperative. During the internship, you will learn about the Zapatista struggle for autonomy and alternatives to the predominant capitalist model. You will develop public speaking capabilities. The internship is a paid position, with the amount of income depending on your time and organizing capacity.

Interns will receive material on indigenous rights and fair trade. Each intern will start with a package of fair trade items, including textiles and coffee produced by Zapatista cooperatives. Interns will organize at least one public presentation each week at which you will discuss indigenous rights and fair trade, and sell fair trade items produced in Zapatista cooperatives. You can keep 20% of the income from sales. Interns are expected to devote 3 to 6 hours per week, and can expect to earn $50 to $100 per week.

Presentations and sales can be organized at Sunday church services, community events, local universities, farmers markets, etc. For example, you can arrange to make a five-minute presentation at the end of a church service on Sunday morning, then sell fair trade items after the service. Or you can set up a table at university events, such as concerts, public talks or the cafeteria. Or you can arrange house parties where you discuss fair trade and indigenous rights, and sell fair trade items. Or you can request five minutes to speak at community events that are already organized, then set up a table at the events. You will be part of a growing fair trade movement that supports cooperative-based production in Zapatista communities.

To apply for the internship, please complete the following application and return it to [email protected]. Or call 773-583-7728 for more information.

NAME:

ADDRESS:

CITY, STATE, ZIP:

E-MAIL:

TELEPHONE NUMBER:

WHERE DO YOU ATTEND SCHOOL?

WHY DO YOU WANT TO INTERN WITH THE MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK?

HOW MANY HOURS A WEEK CAN YOU DEVOTE TO YOUR INTERNSHIP?

WHAT POSSIBILITIES EXIST IN YOUR COMMUNITY FOR SELLING FAIR TRADE ITEMS?

WHAT UNIVERSITY, COMMUNITY OR SOCIAL GROUPS HAVE YOU WORKED WITH OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS?

THE MEXICO SOLIDARITY NETWORK IS LOOKING FOR INTERNS WHO CAN MAKE AT LEAST A SIX MONTH COMMITMENT. WE CANNOT ACCEPT APPLICATIONS FOR COMMITMENTS OF LESS THAN SIX MONTHS. WHAT DATES ARE YOU AVAILABLE?

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF ZAPATISMO?

WHAT IS YOUR UNDERSTANDING OF FAIR TRADE?

PLEASE PROVIDE TWO REFERENCES:

IF SELECTED AS AN INTERN, THE FIRST SHIPMENT OF SUPPLIES HAS A VALUE OF APPROXIMATELY $200. MSN ASKS THAT INTERNS PROVIDE A MAJOR CREDIT CARD TO MAKE THIS PURCHASE. DO YOU HAVE A CREDIT CARD THAT COULD BE USED FOR THIS PURPOSE? AS RELATIONSHIPS ARE ESTABLISHED CREDIT CAN ALSO BE ESTABLISHED.