Title
Recognizing November 20th as World Children’s Day across the globe and committing the City of Saint Paul to striving for the health, safety and best interests of our children
Body
WHEREAS the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Children is one of the most widely ratified human rights treaties in history; and
WHEREAS the Convention delineates four core principles: non-discrimination; devotion to the best interests of the child; the right to life, survival and development; and respect for the views of the child; and
WHEREAS the Convention protects children's rights by setting standards in health care, education, and legal, civil and social services; and
WHEREAS November 20th is the date in 1959 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, and the date in 1989 when the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child; and
WHEREAS while the world celebrates children on this day, it is also true that any children across the world still do not have the rights and protections they deserve; and
WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul deeply values its children and strives to provide equitable opportunities for their health and well-being; and
WHEREAS the City of Saint Paul sets every child born in Saint Paul on the path to higher education and career training through the CollegeBound Saint Paul program, provides excellent programming for our children through our Parks and Libraries, and offers youth job opportunities and training through the Right Track program; and
WHEREAS, despite these values, the City acknowledges that many children in Saint Paul face unacceptable challenges such as poverty, homelessness, abuse and neglect, and lack of access to health care and early childhood education; and
WHEREAS it is also true that there are huge disparities in the opportunities and outcomes for Saint Paul’s children and these challenges are borne disproportionately by children of color; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul recognizes November 20th as World Children’s Day in Saint Paul; and be it
FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Saint Paul is pledges its commitment to continuing to foster healthy environments and opportunities for all our children.