WOMEN-LED community group Our Common Wealth 670 is looking for a new team member to join in ongoing efforts to protect ancestral lands, seas, and skies.
Members of Our Common Wealth 670 pose with members of the 21st Legislature following a House Committee on Federal and Foreign Affairs meeting in June 2020.
OCW 670 photo
Established in 2019, the group advocates against irreparable damage caused by military practices and other developments that pose a threat to the health, physical environment and livelihoods of the CNMI by increasing awareness of current military planning and the policies that affect the Commonwealth the most.
They are seeking an interested and motivated individual to join the team for a paid internship and research opportunity to help empower women’s voices in the CNMI community, whilst educating the public about militarism.
The internship will be funded by the Asia-Pacific Forum on Women, Law, and Development, or APWLD, as well as a non-governmental organization in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations.
APWLD supports local organizations and their communities to conduct Feminist Participatory Action Research, or FPAR, on “Amplifying Marginalized Women’s Voices and Strengthening Movements for Women’s Rights to Peace and Democratic Participation.”
This collaborative work is intended to increase evidence-based advocacy, amplify women’s voices, and build the capacity to be effective organizers, advocates, and campaigners for women’s human rights.
Beginning February this year, the intern will be mentored by Dr. Theresa Arriola, chairwoman of OCW 670, and will complete three online trainings with APWLD on capacity building, networking opportunities, and much more.
The intern will also engage with the local community to empower women’s democratic participation.
Eligible applicants must be a female under 35 years of age, of Northern Marianas descent, a CNMI resident, motivated, and must have good communication skills.
She must also be interested in grassroots organizing, human rights, and women’s rights.
OCW 670 aims to encourage safe and respectful dialogue among community members and the local government about all current and proposed military planning in the Marianas.
It also works to provide community members with information about military planning and events that are clear, concise and easy to understand on multiple platforms, including radio, Facebook, Instagram, and the OCW 670 website.
The organization also promotes policy changes that address the need for a de-escalation of militarization in the Marianas.
Moreover, it creates a greater awareness of the links between militarization and self-government, whilst promoting a deeper understanding of how militarism affects the cultural and physical sustainability of the CNMI by creating economic and social dependency and unhealthy environments that are not suitable for healthy living.
OCW 670 aims to educate the public on how the CNMI Covenant provisions, particularly Section 802, pertain to national defense so that people are better prepared to exercise their right to self-government during military negotiations.
It also creates awareness of how the effects of militarism are unequally distributed by race, gender and socioeconomic status.
An OCW 670 board member, Rep. Sheila Babauta highly encourages qualified members of the community to apply for this internship.
“As a board member, I’m so proud of the work we’ve accomplished. Spreading awareness and encouraging dialogue about militarism in the Marianas is not easy, and is often a sensitive and emotional topic, but we have to talk about it,” she said.
“OCW 670 has helped me, and our community, understand complex plans and ideas by offering the information in a way that is easy to absorb – especially by using social media platforms. I highly encourage our community to stay aware and informed with OCW 670, and to those who are qualified — apply for the internship!”
For more information, email OCW 670 at OurCommonWealth670@gmail.com and/or visit www.ocw670.com.
Applications are due this Sunday, Jan. 10.
