This week, as Australia celebrates National Volunteer Week, Marist Solidarity is pleased to announce the appointment of two volunteers, who will represent Australian Marists as interns for six weeks, working for the Marist Foundation for International Solidarity—or, in Italian, Fondazione Marista per la Solidarietà Internazionali (FMSI).
25-year-old politics and law student Mark Gilbert, who is a former student of Galen Catholic College, will undertake his internship in September and October this year. And 20-year-old arts student Celeste Rebbechi—a former student of Marist-Sion College, Warragul will complete her internship next February.
This volunteer program was established in 2011 by FMSI and the Marist agency Collaboration for mission—international (Cmi) to promote better understanding and appreciation of inter-cultural living that supports Marist mission to make the world a better place for children.
Mark and Celeste will both travel to the FMSI office in Rome where they will gain comprehensive, first-hand experience of the Marist mission at work.
The second part of the internship includes working at the FMSI office at the headquarters for the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Here Mark and Celeste will observe the workings of the UN by participating in conferences, meetings and working groups that deal with protecting the rights of children and young people.
Mark says that he is looking forward to gaining practical experience to apply his skills and knowledge of international politics, law and anthropology in an international setting.
Celeste, who is studying at Monash University, is a passionate advocate for human rights and social justice issues. She says she is incredibly excited about the opportunity to visit the UN.
Marist Solidarity is grateful for the important contribution our Australian Marist volunteers are making by collaborating with our partners in Europe and strengthening our ties with Marist communities throughout the world.
To discover more about volunteering opportunities visit our website Marist Volunteers Australia or contact our volunteer coordinator Brother Mark Fordyce on (07) 3354 0600.