| Posted: April 29 2005,22:31 |
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PROGRESS: Has your organization seen
progress toward a culture of peace and nonviolence in your domain of
action and in your constituency during the first half of the Decade? |
Yes. We have been agle to resolve some contentions and difficulties.
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OBSTACLES: What are the most important obstacles that have prevented progress?
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High rate of turnover of commission members.
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ACTIONS: What actions have been
undertaken by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence during the first half of the Decade?
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The
nine members of the Commission, appointed by the Mayor and approved by
the Northfield City Council, have as their purpose and goals
to:
--Work to recognize and prevent discrimination and inequities in the daily life of the community.
--Develop programs of formal and informal education to assist in implementing the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
--Provide
leadership and act cooperatively with other agencies, organizations and
other human rights commissions, including the League of Minnesota Human
Rights Commissions.
--To serve as an advisory body to the city of Northfield regarding the Minnesota Human Rights Act.
Our work falls into two broad categories: structures activities and unstructured activities.
The most prominent structured activity of the HRC is the
annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Celebration in January. The
Commission co-sponsors this event with other community groups to raise
the profile of human rights issues in our community, to celebrate
diversity, and to emphasize and honor those who work towards equality
for all. The annual Northfield Human Rights Award is presented
at this event.
A second structured activity is
educating the Northfield Community about issues and activities related
to human rights and diversity. This includes publications,
brochures, public meetings and training programs.
A third
structured activity is maintaining a Hate Crimes Prevention and
Response Task Force made up of HRC commissioners and other
Northfielders, including couselors and human services personnel.
When a hate/bias incident is brought to the attention of the Task
Force, they respond immediately to provide victim support, to inform
the community, and to work for a sensitive, just resolution.
Additionally, a good portion of HRC activities are
unstructured, in that we are available to consult with Northfielders
who feel that their human rights have been violated. At each
meeting we provide an opportunity for citizens to bring inquiries,
concerns or complaints to the attention of the commission.
Sometimes the problem is presented anonymously. The
commission discusses the concern and, when appropriate,
determines an appropriate course of action to try to resolve the issue.
When the complaints describe actions or behaviors that do indeed
violate the Minnesota Human Rights Act these complaintants are referred
tp the Minnesota DHR. When the complaints describe
experiences that, while unfair, do not seem to be discriminatory under
the act, such cases are referred to local and state legal, social or
consumer resources.
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ADVICE: What advice would you like to
give to the Secretary-General and the General Assembly to promote a
culture of peace and nonviolence during the second half of the Decade? |
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PARTNERSHIPS: What partnerships and
networks does your organization participate in, thus strengthening the
global movement for a culture of peace? |
We
work with the Minnesota Human Rights Commission and with local
groups to provide the specific services mentioned above.
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PLANS: What new engagements are
planned by your organization to promote a culture of peace and
nonviolence in the second half of the Decade (2005-2010)? |
We will continue to work to fulfill our mandate from the city in every way that we can.
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Postal address of organization
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City of Northfield
801 Washington Street, Northfield, MN 55057
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E-mail address of organization
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infor@ci.northfield.mn.us
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Website address of organization
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www.ci.northfield.mn.us
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Highest priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Respect for Human Rights
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Second priority action domain of a culture of peace
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Education for a culture of peace
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Highest priority country of action (or international)
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Second priority country of action (or international)
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