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CC- (1) Consideration of a Request by the Culver City High School Human Rights Watch Student Task Force to Adopt a Resolution in Support of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Children; and (2) Adoption of a Proposed Resolution if Desired.
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Meeting Date: January 27, 2020
Contact Person/Dept: Shelly Wolfberg/City Manager’s Office
Phone Number: (310) 253-6000
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (01/22/20); (E-Mail) Kristin Ghazarians, Human Rights Watch Student Task Force (01/16/20)
Department Approval: John M. Nachbar, City Manager (01/21/20)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council (1) consider a request by the Culver City High School Human Rights Watch Student Task Force to adopt a Resolution in Support of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Children; and (2) adopt the proposed Resolution if desired.
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
When the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) on November 20, 1989, it committed to do everything in its power to promote and protect children’s rights. Although the United States was a major author of the CRC, the United States remains the only country in the world that has NOT ratified the Convention - at a time when children’s rights are at grave risk at home and abroad.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), a United Nations agency responsible for providing humanitarian and developmental aid to children around the world, states, “Thirty years ago, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child - an international agreement on childhood. It’s become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives around the world. But still not every child gets to enjoy a full childhood. Still, too many childhoods are cut short. It is up to our generation to demand that leaders from government, business and communities fulfil their commitments and take action for child rights now, once and for all. They must commit to making sure every child, has every right.”
On November 18, 2019, the City Council proclaimed November 20, 2019 as the 30th Anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (Attachment 1). The City Council also agreed to agendize a discussion to discuss supporting a Resolution in support of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Attachment 2).
City’s Legislative and Policy Platform
In the City’s Legislative and Policy Platform, the following positions support the Adoption of this Resolution.
This Resolution supports the City’s efforts to:
1) Promote services for the City’s youth including youth employment, mentoring, diversion, and intervention programs;
2) Enhance the services provided to children, parents, and families, including early education programs;
3) Encourage equality, equal pay, marriage equality, religious freedom, immigrant rights, diversity, racial equity, and social justice;
4) Condemn all hateful speech and violent action directed people based on their religious beliefs, their immigration status, race, ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation;
5) Commit to pursuing a policy agenda that affirms civil and human rights and ensures that those targeted on the basis of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, or immigration status can turn to government without fear of recrimination.
6) Reaffirm the value of a pluralistic society, the beauty, enrichment, and enjoyment of a society composed of multiple cultures, and the inalienable right of every person to live and practice and express their faith and culture without fear.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
There is no fiscal impact associated with the adoption of the proposed Resolution.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2020-01-27_ATT - Convention on the Rights of the Child
2. 2020-01-27_ATT - Proposed Resolution
MOTION
That the City Council:
1. Adopt a Resolution in Support of the U.N. Convention on the Rights of the Children; and/or
2. Provide direction to the City Manager as deemed appropriate.