Top Graduates Welcomed to SRI'S Legal Internship Scheme

(Press Release) July 12, 2012

Deirdre Fitzpatrick, founder and Executive Director of Seafarers’ Rights International, with this year’s successful candidates

Seafarers’ Rights International (SRI) has again demonstrated its commitment to the shipping industry by welcoming the latest intake of high performing young graduates into this year’s SRI Legal Internship Scheme.

The successful candidates hail from a diversity of countries across the globe - but all have in common a keen interest in the field of international law and seafarers’ rights, and a desire to succeed.

“This year's programme is a departure from the traditional intern model", said Deirdre Fitzpatrick, founder and Executive Director of Seafarers’ Rights International. "We have taken 17 graduates and are immersing them into our world for a period of one week. They will emerge with a deeper understanding of the issues facing the seafarer - and a better idea of how they themselves can really make a difference.

“It has been widely reported in the shipping world that the quality of the industry ultimately depends on the quality of people within it. I am a great believer in the truth of that maxim, and in the importance of inviting highly motivated young people into our business and providing them with insights that would normally be unavailable to them."

The SRI Legal Internship Scheme is intended to provide a vital link between maritime labour interests and students of maritime and labour issues. The aim is to provide students with a genuine first-hand experience of the problems of seafarers, and to allow them to develop their awareness and knowledge in the field of seafarers’ rights.

Targeted at law students and newly qualified lawyers minded to pursue a career in either maritime related or in human rights/employment areas, this year's scheme offers a one week intensive programme. During their time at SRI students will hear the perspectives of several industry stakeholders on seafarers' rights, participate in an IMO visit programme and visit the High Courts of Justice.

"We hope that the experience will allow these young people to have a new awareness of the realities of the seafaring life, and that as they go forward in their careers, they will have a greater respect for the work that seafarers do in often harsh and difficult circumstances", said Ms Fitzpatrick.