Asia Plateau Internship Program (APIP)  

MRA-Initiatives of Change India is offering internships based at Asia Plateau in the study and practice of IofC for young people who want to engage in the challenge of creating a more just and peaceful world. 

Asia Plateau
Asia Plateau is an International Conference and Training Centre of MRA-Initiatives of Change, situated 248 km from Mumbai on a 68 acre campus in the hill station of Panchgani.  Operating for most of the year, programs conducted at the Centre have touched the lives of thousands over the last 40 years – school children, government officials, municipal workers, industry leaders and many more affecting social and national change.  Its approach is simple: that effective change can only start with the individual, beginning within oneself, through listening to one’s inner voice and applying four moral absolute standards, purity, honesty, unselfishness and love.

Asia Plateau is also a training ground for Interns and volunteers who come to help with the programs at the Centre as well as outreach elsewhere in the country. The community at Asia Plateau consists of people from different countries and religions, and offers all who serve there an opportunity for personal growth and developing initiatives in society.

Who can join?
Young adults, 18 years or older, who are willing to learn and serve. They should be ready to explore change in all its dimensions in personal lives as well as in communities and the world. A good understanding of English is necessary. Preference will be given to those with an understanding of and commitment to the aims, values and practices of MRA-Initiatives of Change. Previous experience in leadership roles, organizational ability and community-living is an advantage. Please consider with your IofC team or local organization if you would like to apply for one of these internships.

What is involved?
1. Training in the principles and practices of IofC, including the disciplines of inner listening and moral standards, caring for others, sharing experiences of change, working to create answers in communities and workplaces, and exploring how to ‘be the change you want to see in the world’.

2. Gaining the skills to be a change-maker, including communications and public speaking, event and conference management, presenting music, using sound and projection equipment, office and computer competence, hospitality and interpersonal relations.

3. Contributing to the life of the community and the conferences. Interns will support the permanent staff and the conference facilitators as needed, in such areas as catering and dining room service, facilitating workshops and multi-faith prayers, reception and managing book sales, welcoming visitors.

4. Outreach and follow-up programs which will give participants an opportunity of exposure to the people and culture of India, learning from movements for social change, conducting IofC presentations, supporting regional IofC teams and reaching out into areas of growth.

Period

Internships are offered for a period of:
Five months, starting from September 8th 2008 till February 15th 2009
and

From February 2nd 2009 till June 30th  2009
Internships are not available for shorter periods. The daily training and work schedule is for a minimum of eight hours, with one day off per week.  There will be a review of each intern after the first month to assess continuation in the programme.

Interns will be expected to abide by the Asia Plateau Community Guidelines.

Financial Support
Interns will need to provide for their travel to and from Panchgani. All meals and shared accommodation at Asia Plateau will be provided as well as Rs. 750/- per month to each intern for pocket expenses. Assistance will available for outreach expenses and some medical needs.

How to Apply?
If you are interested in applying for the Program, please send the Application to apip@in.iofc.org.
In the topic of your email please mention “Asia Plateau Internship Program” or “APIP”.

More information about MRA-Initiative of Change India you can find on our web-site: www.in.iofc.org

Our Address

Asia Plateau,
Panchgani, Maharashtra, 412 805, India
+91 2168 240241/2