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Human Rights As a Vision for the Future of Our Cities

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Human Rights As a Vision for the Future of Our Cities Reserved for the Mayor: Human Rights as a Vision for the Future of our Cities By Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. The 2015 Presidential debates offer a po- perpetuate discrimination and inequality, litically charged, but important snapshot of even if that is not their intent. Indeed, we can- the national agenda. From aging infrastruc- not tackle inequality without understanding ture and changing demographics to rising the factors that contribute to it, and working healthcare costs and stagnant wages, the intentionally to eliminate them. dominant issues are the same concerns that we address in our cities every day. Birming- Our initiatives to address disparities and dis- ham is no exception. crimination reflect human rights principles in a number of ways. We have sought out chal- To respond to these challenges, and stay lenge grants to improve housing and access ahead of the curve, we balance our day-to- to food. We are focused on access to quality day work of city management with a longer- education for all, as well as the causes and term view on city sustainability. We strive consequences of disparities in the criminal to think not only about what our community justice system. In all of these efforts to protect needs next year, but also in the next genera- basic human rights, we have placed a pre- Birmingham Mayor William A. Bell, Sr. tion. mium on partnerships. We seize opportuni- ties to partner with community members, with tantly, this trip to Geneva was also a chance Of course, to look forward, we must exam- mayors, with businesses, and with thought to foster relationships with policymakers and ine where we are. And, as a nation, we face leaders from around the world. advocates from around the U.S., and the mounting social and economic inequality. world, to learn about common challenges, As we know in Birmingham, the challenge of Human rights offer an important tool and and common solutions. Grounding the con- inequality is not new. During the Civil Rights shared framework to make these connec- versation in human rights terms helped to Movement, our residents mobilized and in- tions. Challenges like human trafficking, focus discussions on the importance of pro- spired change, laying the groundwork to immigrant integration, equitable access to active efforts to achieve equal access and protect the basic civil and human rights of food, health outcomes, and the environment outcomes, and address the unique barriers dignity and equality across the country and transcend local and national boundaries. To that different individuals experience as a re- around the world. effectively address them, we should think in sult of their identity. global terms. Over the past several years, we As we continually strive to achieve the goals have witnessed how human rights can help My participation in these international dia- of dignity and equality, fundamental hu- build bridges to confront some of the press- logues inspired me to involve the Birming- man rights principles remain an important ing human rights issues we face in Birming- ham community in a conversation about hu- touchstone. The basic premise that there is a ham. man rights – to reflect on our own human right to be free from discrimination, and that rights record and identify avenues for fur- governments should take steps to realize this In 2014, I was invited by the federal govern- ther progress. In March of this year, we took right, and create conditions where all indi- ment to join an official U.S delegation to the a first step. My office convened a daylong vidual can meet their basic needs, informs United Nations. The delegation traveled to dialogue among community members, local what we do on a daily basis. Human rights Geneva as part of a periodic U.N. review and national advocates, as well as federal provide us with a positive vision that can help of how U.S. laws and policies measure up and local government representatives, to our city shape effective solutions calibrated to the human rights standards set forth in the discuss the status of human rights in the City. to ensure dignity, opportunity, and fairness international agreement focused on racial The Dialogue occurred at an important time for all. discrimination (also known as CERD). Over for reflection. It took place on the eve of the the span of a few days, I consulted with the 50th Anniversary of the Bloody Sunday These principles are important as we strive federal government representatives, interna- March from Selma to Montgomery that pre- to make Birmingham more livable today and tional human rights experts, and U.S. human cipitated passage of the Voting Rights Act. It more resilient for tomorrow. They counsel us rights advocates. also coincided with a comprehensive U.N. to look at the relationship among a range of review of the U.S. human rights record, human rights issues within our community. The review was an opportunity for me to known as the Universal Periodic Review. This includes access to the ballot, as well showcase Birmingham’s efforts to protect as housing, criminal justice, education, and human rights, as well as USCM initiatives to We hosted a full day of panels focused on health. Human rights also call on us to pro- tackle discrimination and inequality, like the actively examine how laws and policies can Coalition of Cities Against Racism. Impor- see HUMAN RIGHTS on page 21 December 21, 2015 usmayors.org Page 3 NEW MAYORS TRANSPORTATION HUMAN RIGHTS from page 12 from page 5 from page 3 Director of the Institute of Politics. Cochran way transit projects is now capped at 60 per- five human rights issues: criminal justice, ed- told the new mayors that the Conference of cent funding share (although other federal ucation, immigration, homelessness & pov- Mayors was there to serve them; and that transit/highway program funds can continue erty, and marriage equality. The dialogue they will play an important role in helping to to be used to raise the federal share to 80 was a space for participants to discuss chal- form the administration of the next President. percent). lenges, share their perspectives on success- ful local policies and programs, and identify Mayors who also served as faculty members On the policy front, considerable attention strategies for improvement. Throughout the were: Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley and Aus- has been given to provisions designed to ac- day, there was a focus on how communities tin Mayor Steve Adler, who served as panel- celerate the completion of projects, known as and government actors can work together to ists on the transitioning session; Columbia, SC project streamlining, but there are also other ensure dignity, equality, and opportunity for Mayor Steve Benjamin, who helped the dis- changes to ensure that “urban street design” Birmingham residents. cussion on budgeting and finance; Louisville principles are incorporated into state design Mayor Greg Fischer, who was a panelist on standards for federal projects and that the Events like this are an important foundation the jobs and economic development session; U.S. Department of Transportation exerts for responsive and participatory policy- South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg, West Sac- more leadership in advancing “complete making, in line with human rights standards. ramento Mayor Christopher Cabaldon, and streets” policies at the local and state levels. They offer an avenue to include community Lexington Mayor Jim Gray, who served as voices in decision-making and foster a more panelists for attracting the millennial genera- The new law also affirms the longstanding collaborative, transparent, and accountable tion to cities; Gary Mayor Karen Freeman- practice that local elected officials can serve approach to governance based on core hu- Wilson, Houston Mayor Annise Parker and as representatives of local transit agencies on man rights principles. Indeed, the conversa- Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, who served as the governing boards of their metropolitan tions that took place will contribute to how panelists for the session on policing and pub- planning organizations or MPOs. For months we think about our policies moving forward. lic safety; Tuscaloosa Mayor Walter Mad- now, FTA had been considering a new rule, dox, who helped lead the discussion on re- based on its interpretation of provisions in There may be a bumpy road ahead. This is sponding to natural disasters; Rochester Hills MAP-21, that might reinterpret the role of local true in Alabama, where voting rights have Mayor Bryan Barnett, who was a panelist elected officials in this regard. The FAST Act been a hot button issue for years, as well as on the social media session, and Providence overturns these MAP-21 provisions and reaf- in our cities. However, we navigate this jour- Mayor Jorge Elorza, who was a panelist on firms current practices, allowing local elected ney based on the belief that all members of the tech and data driven city session. officials to continue to serve as representatives the human family have inherent dignity and of local transit agencies on MPO boards. equal rights. And we look to civil and human Ben Sosenko, press secretary to Sacramento rights leaders, like Martin Luther King Jr., Mayor Kevin Johnson also participated in Among existing programs, the Transporta- who stated that “The arc of the moral uni- the traditional and social media session. tion Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act verse is long, but it bends towards justice.” (TIFIA) Program was targeted for the largest funding reduction, with the new law provid- The idea that human rights start close to TPP ing only $1.4 billion over the next five years. home drives our vision for the future. We will from page 9 Adjustments to loan amounts and funding continue to work proactively to promote and eligibilities, including qualifying certain trans- protect fundamental human rights locally, the House forcing the bill to the floor, where it portation infrastructure projects in and around nationally, and internationally.
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