Volunteer Opportunity for MOOC Translators

Nov 30, 2017

We are launching a massive open online course (MOOC) on Environmental Security and Sustaining Peace in early 2018. This is a joint effort from The United Nations Environment Programme, the Environmental Law Institute, the University of California – Irvine, Duke University, and Columbia University.

Over 2800 people have already registered for the MOOC. In order to make course more accessible for a broad, global audience, we are looking for volunteer translators and reviewers to help create transcripts in Arabic, Russian, and Portuguese for 7-hour MOOC. This is a unique opportunity to contribute rewarding volunteer work to the MOOC. Your valued contribution will be credited in the course acknowledgements.

This MOOC provides an in-depth introduction to the multiple roles that natural resources and the environment play in the onset, escalation, resolution of, and recovery from violent conflicts. Conflicts over natural resources are among the greatest challenges in 21st century geopolitics and present serious threats to human security at both the national and local levels. Natural resources can nonetheless serve as a vehicle for peace if managed in a sustainable and equitable manner. This MOOC will have modules focusing on environmental causes of conflict, environmental impacts of conflict, and post-conflict recovery, and address themes including extractive resources, resource scarcity, and climate change.  Advanced undergraduates and graduate students, as well as technical experts and field practitioners will be invited to participate in the MOOC to learn about the key concepts and practices of this growing field.

Interest and experience in related topics is appreciated, but not required.

Please contact moraga-lewy@eli.org with a brief statement of interest including your level of proficiency in the languages listed above and any relevant translating or editing experience. Volunteer translator and reviewer positions are open immediately!