[00:00:01]
HALL TO CELEBRATE WITH US.WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS THE GRATITUDE FOR ALL OF YOU SHOWING UP HERE TODAY, THANKFUL THAT YOU COULD BE PART OF THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND FOR CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, WE MAY LEAD THE EFFORT THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
HOWEVER, WE ALONE, THE HOUSTON TEAM DOES NOT MAKE IT CHILD FRIENDLY.
IT BEGINS IN OUR HOMES, IN OUR SCHOOLS, AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
EVERY INDIVIDUAL HERE IN THIS ROOM TODAY, EVERY REPRESENTATIVE ORGANIZATION, EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGED IN OUR CHILD PLANNING CITIES INITIATIVE ACTION PLAN, HAS COMMITTED TO A CHILD FRIENDLY APPROACH.
YOUR ATTENDANCE HERE IN SOLIDARITY SYMBOLIZES THAT YOU HAVE AND ARE READY TO CONTINUE PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST.
WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE CEREMONY OFFICIALLY OPEN, AND WE'LL START WITH THE PROTOCOL.
FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THE HONORABLE MAYOR TURNER TO THE PODIUM TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HIS VISION OF BEING A CHILD-FRIENDLY HOUSTON AND HOW HE ENABLED US TO BECOME THE FIRST CANDIDATE IN THE UNITED STATES.
MAYOR TURNER, PLEASE WELCOME TO THE PODIUM.
YOU ARE NOT KILLING MY SPIRIT.
AND LOOK, LEMME START OFF BY THANKING, UH, OLIVER RA KOSKA.
UH, I AM THE MAYOR, BUT A LOT OF THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE, UH, BECAUSE OF OLIVER RA KOSKI.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN, IN THANKING HER FOR, UH, THIS MORNING.
I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF, I GUESS, IN MANY WAYS TO PROVIDE, UH, SOME OPENING REMARKS.
BUT BEFORE I DO THAT, I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, SOME PEOPLE HERE, HERE.
AND LEMME START OFF BY SAYING EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT AND A VIP.
AND I MAY NOT CALL YOUR NAME ONLY BECAUSE I MAY NOT KNOW YOUR NAME.
UM, BUT LET ME, LET ME THANK ALL OF YOU FOR BEING, FOR BEING PRESENT.
I DO CERTAINLY WANT TO START OFF BY ACKNOWLEDGING THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNICEF, USA, MICHAEL J NHE, WHO'S HERE, PRESIDENT NHE AND I TALKED, UH, UH, NOT TOO LONG AGO.
UH, WE TALKED ABOUT, UH, THIS DAY HAPPENING.
AND SO I CAN'T THANK HIM ENOUGH, UH, FOR BEING, FOR BEING HERE, BEING PRESENT IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE NELSON BOWMAN, THE SENIOR MANAGER AND DIRECTOR OF UNICEF, WHO'S ALSO HERE.
PLEASE GIVE IT UP TO, UH, TO NELSON.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE CONS OF CORPS.
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE CONS OF CORPS, IF YOU WILL, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND SO WE CAN ALL SEE YOU.
YOU KNOW, IN FACT, LEMME DO THIS, LEMME DO THIS.
WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE CONS OF COURT, AN INCREDIBLE CONSULAR CORPS.
IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE CONS OF COURT, JUST FOR A MOMENT, IF YOU'LL JUST COME AND STAND RIGHT IN FRONT SO EVERYBODY CAN SEE YOU.
IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THE CONSULATE OF COURT.
AND BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PROGRAM, UH, AS WE, AS IT RELATES TO UNICEF, CHARE, AND THE CITY INITIATIVE, UH, IT'S JUST APPROPRIATE, UH, TO ACKNOWLEDGE THESE MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL COURT THAT REPRESENT COUNTRIES ALL OVER THE GLOBE.
AND SO, IF YOU WILL, IF YOU ARE JUST GIVING YOUR NAME AND THE COUNTRY THAT YOU'RE REPRESENTING, UH, SO EVERYONE CAN HEAR YOU, MARTY, NOW DO ME A FAVOR, MARTY, IF YOU'LL MOVE DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
'CAUSE I WANT HIM TO BE ABLE TO TAKE A GOOD PICTURE.
SO, UH, SO SLIDE DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT.
AND WE HAVE 93 MEMBERS OF THE CONSULATE CORPS.
WE HAVE THE THIRD LARGEST, UH, CONSULATE CORPS IN THE UNITED STATES.
AND THIS GROUP, I WILL TELL YOU,
[00:05:01]
IT'S JUST INCREDIBLE IN REPRESENTING OUR CITY.SO I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR BEING HERE ON AN EXCITING AND VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
THANK YOU ALL SO VERY, VERY MUCH.
LOOK, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THIS AN EXCITING MORNING.
I TELL YOU,
I ALSO WANT TO NOW, UH, ACKNOWLEDGE, UH, A GROUP THAT I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH, UH, MR. PRESIDENT EVERY, ALMOST EVERY SINGLE, EVERY SINGLE WEEK.
AND I DO WANT THEM TO STAND, UH, AND TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AS WELL.
AND THAT'S THE MEMBERS OF THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL.
SO, COUNCIL MEMBER, I'M GONNA HOLD COUNCILMAN CARLOS SNES FOR, FOR, FOR, FOR, FOR A MOMENT.
COUNCIL MEMBER SALLY ALCORN FROM DISTRICT C, UH, COUNCIL MEMBER ED CAYMAN.
AND THEN SINCE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CHILDREN, SOMEONE WHO, WHEN WE CAME INTO OFFICE TOGETHER, UH, HER EMPHASIS WAS ON CHILDREN.
UH, THE ESTABLISHING, I HAD A PARTICULAR COMMITTEE IN MIND FOR HER, BUT SHE WANTED A COMMITTEE SPECIFICALLY DEDICATED TO CHILDREN EDUCATION AND BUILDING A HEALTHIER ENVIRONMENT FOR OUR KIDS.
AND I WANT TO, ON THIS SPECIAL DAY, GIVE SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT TO COUNCIL MEMBER CAU.
AND THEN WE HAVE MEMBERS FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
AND SO IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION HERE, UH, PLEASE, PLEASE COME.
JUST STAND AND, AND SO I CAN ACKNOWLEDGE YOU, UM, FROM CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA GARCIA'S OFFICE, IF YOU HEAR, COME FORWARD FROM CONGRESSWOMAN, UM, UH, SHEILA JACKSON LEE FROM CONGRESSMAN DAN CRENSHAW'S OFFICE.
OKAY? UH, ARE THERE ANY OTHER MEMBERS OF ANY CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS THAT, THAT I'VE LEFT OUT? PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGE THESE MEMBERS OF OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
THE IMPORTANT THING IS THAT WHEN IT COMES TO OUR CHILDREN, IT IS A BIPARTISAN DEAL.
AND YOU HAVE A BIPARTISAN REPRESENTATION RIGHT HERE FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.
AND I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK ALL OF THE CONGRESS MEMBERS FROM CONGRESSWOMAN, UH, SYLVIA GARCIA, CONGRESSWOMAN, UH, SHEILA JACKSON LEE, AND CONGRESSMAN DAN KHAW.
THANK YOU ALSO VERY, VERY MUCH.
AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON, UNICEF, CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE PROGRAM MANAGERS, LAURA QUALA, AND YOU'LL BE HEARING FROM HER VERY SHORTLY.
TODAY, WE ARE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE CITY OF HOUSTON AS THE FIRST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR THE UNICEF CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE.
AND AGAIN, THE FIRST CITY, COME ON NOW.
AND IT TAKES ALL OF US TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
AND SO IF YOU ARE A DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON, PLEASE COME RIGHT VERY QUICK AND STAND IN FRONT BECAUSE IT TAKES ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER.
AND I WANT EVERYBODY TO SAY MEAN DON'T, DON'T COME, DON'T STAND BACK, JUDGE.
KIND OF CENTER IT SO IT COULD BE A GOOD PICTURE.
OKAY, YOU'VE GOT FROM THE CHIEF OF STAFF THAT'S HERE, MARBLE HANA TO ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS, THE FIRE CHIEF FROM PARKS AND REC, UH, UH, SUSTAINA MAYOR'S, OFFICE OF RESERVE AND SUSTAINABILITY, THE CHIEF OF MUNICIPAL COURT, DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS, UH, FROM, UM, THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, UH, AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING.
MINA PATEL DAVIS, WHO'S ALSO INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING TO BRING THE WORLD CUP.
AND I'M GONNA BE INTRODUCED ANOTHER PERSON HERE AS WELL.
OF COURSE, WE KNOW OLIVERO KOSKA, UH, DID I LEAVE? AND THEN FROM PARKS, I GOT THAT.
AND THEN FROM THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF VETERAN AFFAIRS, PLEASE GIVE IT UP TO ALL OF THESE DIRECTORS.
AND THEN, UH, UH, WHEN WE START TO BE, BECOME ONE OF THE CITIES FOR THE, UH, UH, FOR FIFA, UH, 26, UH, THAT WAS ONE PERSON WHO REALLY STEPPED FORWARD AND HAS LED THE CHARGE, UH, ON THAT EFFORT, VERY SUCCESSFUL MAKING US NOW ONE OF THE CITIES THAT WILL BE HOSTING FEE FOR 26.
AND I WANT TO GIVE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT TO CHRIS TI WHERE HE, WHERE'S CHRIS? THERE, HE'S, THANK YOU, SIR.
TO OBTAIN THE RECOGNITION OF BEING THE FIRST CANDIDATE FOR THE UNICEF CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE, UH, THE CITY
[00:10:01]
COMPLETED A SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS ON THE STATE OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS BASED ON COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS WITH OVER 600 HOUSTONIANS AND A GOVERNMENT ASSESSMENT CONDUCTED WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE RICE UNIVERSITY'S KINDER INSTITUTE, UNDERSTANDING HOUSTON AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF COMPLETE COMMUNITIES.AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON CONDUCTED INTERGENERATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND COMPLETED THE HOUSTON CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE ACTION PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES CITY LEVEL THEORIES OF CHANGE, THAT HIGHLIGHT CHILD FRIENDLY GOVERNANCE AND CITYWIDE STRATEGIES FOR IMPROVING THE WELLBEING OF ALL CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE BEING RECOGNIZED IN THE UNICEF CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE SIGNALS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO IMPROVING CHILDREN'S WELLBEING AND BUILDING THE BETTER FUTURE THEY DESERVE.
THIS RECOGNITION IS A MESSAGE TO THE WORLD THAT HOUSTON IS DEDICATED TO PUTTING CHILDREN FIRST AND IS A COMBINATION OF A TWO YEAR JOURNEY, WHICH WAS LED BY THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF EDUCATION.
AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK DIRECTOR OLIVERO KOSKA AND PROGRAM MANAGER LAURA QUALA FOR SPEARHEADING THIS EFFORT.
GETTING THIS STATUTE STATUS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT COLLABORATION BETWEEN NEARLY 10 CITY DEPARTMENTS AND MORE THAN 30 COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THAT INVESTED IN ADVOCATING AND SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS.
IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THOSE CHILDREN ORGANIZATIONS THAT PARTICIPATED IN WORKING WITH US, PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND IF YOU ARE HERE AND IF YOU'RE A MEMBER OF THOSE CHILDREN ORGANIZATIONS.
VERY QUICKLY, IF YOU WILL STEP OUT FRONT.
THIS IS JUST LIKE, UH, THE PRICE IS WRITING.
AND IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND ORGANIZATION VERY QUICKLY, M WELLS REGION EDUCATION SERVICES, PLEASE GIVE IT UP TO ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS.
AND ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE ALL OF THESE GROUPS IS IT TAKES ALL OF US A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO REALLY WORK ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR CHILDREN TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, THE HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF RESILIENCE, OFFICE OF COMPLETE COMMUNITIES RESILIENCE AND SUSTAINABILITY, AND THE MAYOR'S OFFICE OF TRADE AND INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS.
I COMMEND EVERY COUNCIL MEMBER, EVERY GENERAL COUNCIL GENERAL, AND THE CONGRESSPERSON FOR THE WORK THEIR OFFICES HAVE ALREADY DONE TO ENSURE THAT HOUSTON'S CHILDREN ARE SAFE.
AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE MORE THAN 600 HOUSTONIANS THAT HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THIS PROCESS THROUGH SURVEYS AND WORKSHOPS.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND UNICEF, USA HAVE ALSO WORKED TO SUPPORT CHILDREN IN SPORTS, AS NOTED IN OUR SUCCESSFUL BID TO BE A WHOLE CITY FOR THE 2026 WORLD CUP, HOUSTON WAS THE FIRST AND REMAINS THE LARGEST CITY TO HAVE ENDORSED THE CHILDREN'S BILL OF RIGHTS IN SPORTS, DEVELOPED BY THE ASPEN INSTITUTE THROUGH ITS PROJECT PLAY INITIATIVE, AND SUPPORTED BY UNICEF, USA, UNICEF AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
BELIEVE EVERY CHILD HAS THE RIGHT TO GROW UP IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE THEIR VOICES ARE HEARD, WHERE THEY ARE SEEN, AND WHERE THEY ARE ACCOUNTED FOR.
WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE AMAZING YOUNG LEADERS IN THE MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL AND CFCI YOUTH COUNCIL THAT LEND THEIR VOICES TO MAKE HOUSTON A MORE CHILD FRIENDLY PLACE.
THEIR CONTRIBUTION IN THE CFCI PROGRESS PROVIDED AN IMPORTANT PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FACING YOUTH IN HOUSTON.
BEFORE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES WERE THE LEADING CAUSE OF DISABILITY AND POOR LIFE OUTCOMES IN YOUNG PEOPLE.
WITH UP TO ONE IN FIVE CHILDREN, AGES THREE TO 17 IN THE UNITED STATES, HAVING A MENTAL, EMOTIONAL, DEVELOPMENTAL, OR BEHAVIORAL DISORDER, THE PANDEMIC EXACERBATED THE PREEXISTING CHALLENGES THAT AMERICANS YOUTH FACE.
AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, THE US SURGEON GENERAL, DR.
VIVEK MURTHY, ISSUED A, A NEW SURGEON GENERAL'S ADVISORY TO HIGHLIGHT THE NATION'S YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND OUTLINE SEVERE RECOMMENDATIONS, SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH.
[00:15:01]
WERE TO RECOGNIZE THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF OVERALL HEALTH, AND TO EMPOWER YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES TO RECOGNIZE, MANAGE, AND LEARN FROM DIFFICULT EMOTIONS.AS PART OF UNICEF'S CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE, WE HAVE DEVELOPED EFFORTS DESIGNED TO PRIORITIZE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
BY TRAINING 460 SERVICE PROVIDERS EDUCATE TOWARDS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND PARENTS AND YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AID, AND THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA AND ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES.
THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC GREATLY EXACERBATED THE CHALLENGES THAT CHILDREN FACE.
AND NOW MORE THAN EVER, CHILDREN RELY ON ADULTS FOR THE GUIDANCE AND NURTURE THEY NEED TO GROW.
IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO STEP UP AND FILL IN THAT GAP.
AS THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC CONTINUES TO BE UNEARTHED, AND WE WORK TO REBUILD, WE HAVE A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER A MORE EFFECTIVE INCLUSIVE VISION FOR HOUSTON'S YOUNGEST MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENT.
EVERY ISSUE WHERE THE POVERTY, HOMELESSNESS, CLIMATE CHANGE, RACIAL INJUSTICE, GUN VIOLENCE, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATION, IT IS OUR CHILDREN WHO ARE OFTEN THE ONES MOST IMPACTED.
AND FINALLY, THE UNITED STATES IS A RECOGNIZED LEADER IN THE ADVOCACY OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND HAS AN OBLIGATION TO THE CHILDREN OF THE WORLD.
AND HOUSTON IS WELL POSITIONED AND READY TO LEAD THIS EFFORT.
WE ARE COMMITTED MR. PRESIDENT, TO GUIDING THIS CITY, THIS STATE, AND THIS NATION, THROUGH A MORAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE AFFAIRS OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS.
AS THE FIRST CITY, UH, FRIENDLY, CHILD, FRIENDLY CITY, UH, CANDIDATE IN AMERICA, WE ARE READY TO LEAD BY EXAMPLE AND TAKE CONCRETE ACTION TO TRANSLATE THESE COMMITMENTS INTO EXTENSIVE, TANGIBLE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES.
AND ALTHOUGH HOUSTON IS POSITIONED TO LEAD THIS WORK, THIS WORK IS NOT OURS ALONE.
SO YOUNG PEOPLE, PEOPLE MY AGE, YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE AND YOUNGER WHO ARE IN THIS AUDIENCE WHO ARE LISTENING, MY MESSAGE TO YOU IS VERY SIMPLE.
KEEP BELIEVING, KEEP BUILDING, KEEP RAISING YOUR VOICE.
KEEP ADVOCATING FOR YOURSELVES.
WE BELIEVE IN YOU, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE CERTAINLY WANNA DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO SUPPORT YOU.
AND FOR THOSE OF US HERE TODAY WHO CARE ABOUT BUILDING THIS WORLD, ABOUT EQUALITY AND INCLUSION AND PROGRESS, WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO HELP OUR CHILDREN SUCCEED.
FOR THEY ARE THE GREATEST REFLECTION OF THE PRESENT AND THE MOST ACCURATE PREDICTOR OF OUR FUTURE, WHICH IS WHY TODAY IS MORE MEANINGFUL, BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST STEP AND IT IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN HOUSTON.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO WORK WITH UNICEF AND COMPLETING THE PROCESS OF OFFICIALLY DESIGNATING HOUSTON AS A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY.
AND WE START BY TAKING NEGATIVITY AND TURNING THEM INTO POSITIVE.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S DESTROYING AND HURTING OUR KIDS MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE IS THE TOXICITY THAT'S IN THE AIR.
SO ADULTS, LET'S CLEAN THE AIR, LET'S MAKE IT MORE POSITIVE, AND OUR CHILDREN WILL BE THE BENEFACTOR.
SO LET ME NOW INVITE THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNICEF, USA, MICHAEL J NEHOUSE TO SPEAK MORE ABOUT THIS ACCOMPLISHMENT.
WE COULD NOT BE MORE HONORED TO HAVE HIM HERE TODAY AND BE OUR CITY.
MR. NEINHAUS IS A GLOBAL HUMANITARIAN WITH A RECORD OF OVER 25 YEARS OF DRIVING MEANINGFUL, SUSTAINABLE CHANGE FOR THE CHILDREN OF AMERICA.
HOUSTON, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING MICHAEL J. KNIGHT.
WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE IN HOUSTON.
UH, TODAY, TOMORROW IS INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY, A DAY BEGUN IN 1999 BY THE UN TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF, UH, YOUTH AROUND THE WORLD AND THE WORK THAT THEY DO TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE.
THEN ON THE EVE OF THAT TO BE TOGETHER TO, UM, UH, TO MARK THIS HISTORIC MILESTONE, THE CITY OF HOUSTON BECOMING THE FIRST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES TO BECOME A UNICEF CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY CANDIDATE, YOU NOW JOIN OVER 3000 OTHER CITIES AROUND THE WORLD, UH, IN THIS EFFORT TO PUT CHILDREN AND YOUTH AT THE CENTER OF WHAT WE DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND TO PRIORITIZE THEIR NEEDS AND THEIR VOICES THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LOCAL ACTION PLAN, WHICH YOU'VE COMPLETED.
NONE OF THIS WOULD'VE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOUR VISION AND LEADERSHIP.
MR. MAYOR, ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD, THE STAFF AND SUPPORTERS OF UNICEF, USA, I WANNA EXPRESS OUR DEEP APPRECIATION FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO MEANINGFUL COLLABORATION WITH CHILDREN, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND OTHER ALLIES TO REALIZE CHILD RIGHTS IN POLICIES, SERVICES, AND ACTION.
SINCE OUR FIRST COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS IN 2017 TO HELP, UH, THE CITY SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF
[00:20:01]
CHILDREN IMPACTED BY HURRICANE HAR HARVEY, YOU HAVE BEEN AN INVALUABLE AND PIONEERING PARTNER WITH US.YOU WERE THE FIRST MAYOR IN THE UNITED STATES TO SIGN A CHILD-FRIENDLY CITY'S INITIATIVE.
UH, MOU, YOU WERE THE FIRST TO COMMIT TO A MULTI-YEAR PROGRAM TO DEVELOP A LOCAL ACTION PLAN.
AND NOW, AS WE ADOPT THAT LOCAL ACTION PLAN, YOU ARE ELEVATING THE VOICES OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY TO TAKE COLLECTIVE ACTION.
WE'RE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO YOUTH AND THEIR WELLBEING.
LET'S GIVE A HAND TO THE MAYOR.
I ALSO WANNA THANK YOUR INCREDIBLE TEAM, UH, WHICH YOU'VE ALREADY CALLED UP HERE.
THEY HAVE BEEN, UH, JUST TREMENDOUS IN PUTTING FORWARD THIS AMBITIOUS CITYWIDE INITIATIVE FOR EVERY CHILD.
AND OF COURSE, UH, AS YOU HAVE DONE, WE WANNA SIGNAL OUT AVERA AS WELL.
WE'VE HAD THE CHANCE TO WORK WITH HER CLOSELY ON OUR TEAM AND ON YOUR TEAM AS WELL.
AND, UH, YOU COULDN'T BE, UH, THIS WHOLE PROCESS COULDN'T BE IN BETTER HANDS, UH, THAN WITH HER AND LAURA AS WELL.
UH, WHERE'S LAURA? THERE YOU ARE.
SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR, UH, UM, JUST COMMITMENT TO THIS AND TO THE DETAILS OF IT AND MOVING IT FORWARD IN A, IN A TREMENDOUS WAY.
THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF STAKEHOLDERS, WHICH YOU HAVE MENTIONED SERVICE PROVIDERS AND ADULT ALLIES AND YOUTH WHO STEPPED UP TO LEND THEIR VOICES, THEIR UNIQUE PERSPECTIVES AND THEIR TIME.
UH, TO HELP THE CITY OF HOUSTON IDENTIFY, UNDERSTAND, AND TAKE ACTION AROUND TOP PRIORITIES IMPACTING CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
UH, I WOULD LIKE TO SIGNAL, UH, UH, PULL OUT, UH, TWO OTHER GROUPS.
UH, ONE OF THEM, WE HAVE MEMBERS HERE, NOT ONLY THE UNICEF USA STAFF, BUT OF OUR REGIONAL BOARD HERE IN HOUSTON, UH, TO HELP LEAD OUR EFFORTS IN THE HOUSTON AREA.
IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE, IF YOU WOULD JUST RAISE YOUR HAND.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US.
AND, UH, TODAY'S EVENT, UH, WOULDN'T BE HAPPENING WITHOUT A LOT OF YOUTH VOLUNTEERS THAT WE HAVE IN THE BUILDING, UH, IN THE ROOM WITH US TODAY.
SO LET'S GIVE THEM A HAND AS WELL.
UNICEF, OF COURSE, IS PROBABLY BEST KNOWN FOR OUR GLOBAL WORK, UH, UPHOLDING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN OVER 190 COUNTRIES AND TERRITORIES AROUND THE GLOBE, RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN IN CRISIS IN PLACES LIKE UKRAINE AND SYRIA, AND THE HORN OF AFRICA, AND WORKING TO ENSURE THAT EVERY CHILD, NO MATTER WHERE THEY ARE, IS HEALTHY, EDUCATED, PROTECTED AND RESPECTED.
UNICEF HAS A UNIVERSAL MANDATE FOR EVERY CHILD, AND THAT MEANS WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN, ESPECIALLY THE MOST VULNERABLE AND EX EXCLUDED HERE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.
AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS, WE ADVOCATE FOR LEGISLATION THAT PROMOTES THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN.
EXAMPLES INCLUDE FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO INCREASE, INCREASE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS AND STATE LEVEL BANS THAT WE'VE WORKED ON TO, UM, TO RID THE COUNTRY OF CHILD MARRIAGE.
AT THE COMMUNITY LEVEL, WE WORK WITH MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS, CIVIL SOCIETY ACTORS, AND OTHER PARTNERS TO ENSURE THAT CHILDREN AND YOUTH, THEIR NEEDS AND THEIR VOICES ARE AT THE CENTER OF POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION.
AND TO ENABLE THIS WORK, WE DRAW ON OUR BROAD NETWORK OF SUPPORTERS, ADVOCATES, YOUTH CLUBS, AND LEADERS AND OTHER PARTNERS WHO ARE CHAMPIONS FOR CHILDREN, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THEY ARE OUR FUTURE, BUT BECAUSE THEIR WELLBEING TODAY IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR WELLBEING AS A SOCIETY.
TODAY, WE LAUNCHED THE CHILD-FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE HERE IN THE UNITED STATES IN AUGUST, 2020, BASED ON A FRAMEWORK THAT'S BEEN TESTED AROUND THE GLOBE TO REALIZE MEASURABLE RESULTS FOR CHILDREN ON PRIORITY ISSUES IDENTIFIED BY MUNICIPAL LEADERS, YOUTH AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS IN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.
TWO YEARS IN AND WITH THE HELP AND EXPERIENCE OF OUR CFCI PILOT CITIES LED BY HOUSTON, WE ARE WORKING TO REFINE THE CFCI EXPERIENCE, FURTHER ADAPT THE GLOBAL FRAMEWORK TO THE US CONTEXT AND BUILD UPON THE MANY STRENGTHS OF OUR MUNICIPAL PARTNERS HERE IN HOUSTON.
YOUR ONE YEAR CFCI, LOCAL ACTION PLAN IS A RESULT OF A PARTICIPATORY COMMUNITY PROCESS INVOLVING YOUTH SERVICE PROVIDERS AND CITY LEADERS.
MANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED OUT IN THIS ROOM ALREADY, YOU IDENTIFIED AS PRIORITY AREAS, YOUTH, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT, MENTAL HEALTH, AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.
AS YOU IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN, I AM HERE TO COMMIT THAT UNICEF USA WILL CONTINUE TO STAND WITH YOU, SUPPORT YOU, AND ENSURE YOUR SUCCESS.
IN FACT, I LOOK FORWARD TO JOINING YOU, MR. MAYOR, A YEAR FROM NOW, WHEN UPON SUCCESS, SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LOCAL ACTION PLAN, YOU WILL ADVANCE FROM A CANDIDATE CITY TO AN OFFICIAL US RECOGNIZED CHILD FRIENDLY CITY, THE FIRST EVER IN THE US.
MR. MAYOR, LET'S GET THAT DONE TOGETHER, OTHER
[00:25:04]
ON OUR AGENDA.TOGETHER WE'LL BE PROGRESS TOWARD THE THREE GOALS OUTLINED IN THE LOCAL ACTION PLAN.
FIRST, THE ISSUE OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
YOUNG PEOPLE IN HOUSTON HIGHLIGHTED OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEANINGFUL YOUTH CIVIC INVOLVEMENT IN DECISIONS AS AN AREA MOST IN NEED OF IMPROVEMENT.
WE APPLAUD THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, INCLUDING ADVOCATING FOR A CHILDREN'S BUDGET AND A PERMANENT POSITION FOR A CHILD'S ADVOCATE.
IN HOUSTON, YOU'LL HAVE THE SUPPORT NOT ONLY OF OUR STAFF, BUT OF OUR, OUR NETWORK OF LOCAL VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDING STUDENTS IN OUR UNICEF, USA CLUBS, AT AREA UNIVERSITIES AND HIGH SCHOOLS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO IN, UH, ADVANCING YOUTH CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.
SECOND IS THE ISSUE OF MENTAL HEALTH.
YOUNG PEOPLE IN HOUSTON HAVE RAISED THE CRITICAL NEED FOR THEIR PEERS TO KNOW HOW TO ACCESS MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT.
WE MUST RECOGNIZE AND UNDERSTAND THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS A RIGHT AND IT MUST BE PROMOTED AND PROTECTED.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO COLLABORATING WITH ALL OUR HOUSTON PARTNERS TO ADVOCATE FOR INCREASED ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR ADOLESCENTS, AND TO AMPLIFY THE VOICES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH SPEAKING OUT ON THIS ISSUE.
AND FINALLY, US, UH, HOUSTON YOUTH HIGHLIGHTED THE NEED FOR YOUTH-FOCUSED EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS SO THAT EVERYONE KNOWS WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO DO WHEN DISASTER STRIKES.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SHARING BEST PRACTICES AND INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL WORK DURING EMERGENCIES AS THE CITY WORKS TO STRENGTHEN ITS CHILD'S SENSITIVE EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLANNING.
INTERESTINGLY, EACH OF THESE ISSUES THAT YOU'VE IDENTIFIED HERE IN HOUSTON ALIGN WITH UNICEF'S GLOBAL PRIORITIES, CONFIRMING AGAIN THAT THE CHALLENGES FACED BY CHILDREN, CHILDREN TODAY ARE UNIVERSAL AND REQUIRE COLLABORATIVE EVIDENCE-BASED AND INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS WORKING ALONGSIDE CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BE PARTNERS WITH YOU HERE IN THE GREAT CITY OF HOUSTON.
WE ARE HUMBLED, APPRECIATIVE, AND COMMITTED TOGETHER.
WE WON'T STOP UNTIL EVERY CHILD IN HOUSTON AND GLOBALLY IS HEALTHY, EDUCATED, PROTECTED, AND RESPECTED.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THESE INSPIRING MESSAGES.
I FELT VERY JUST ABSOLUTELY AMAZING LISTENING TO THIS COMMITMENT AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORKING TOWARDS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN.
AT THIS TIME, WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS OFFICIAL.
IF I MAY ASK YOU, MAYOR TURNER AND PRESIDENT NEHES TO PLEASE COME TO THE PODIUM AND TAKE THE SEATING TABLE FOR, UH, SIGNATURES.
THIS IS THE OFFICIAL MOMENT WHERE WE EXCHANGE THE OFFICIAL SIGNATURES AT YOUR MARKS.
LET'S GIVE IT A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU BOTH FOR YOUR INSPIRING REMARKS AT THIS TIME.
YOU MAY PLEASE TAKE YOUR SEATS AND WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRAM.
THIS DAY WILL NOT BE OFFICIAL UNLESS WE RECOGNIZE IT AS A SPECIAL DAY IN HOUSTON.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO, I APOLOGIZE, MAYOR, IF YOU'D LIKE TO COME UP AGAIN TO THE PODIUM,
AND COUNCILMAN MCCS AND COUNCIL MEMBER, SAM, IF YOU JOIN ME, YOU READ HERE I MINE ARE THERE TOO.
WE'RE ALL LITTLE, WE'RE NOT CHILDREN AND YOUTH ANYMORE.
UM, WHEREAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND UNICEF USA ARE CELEBRATING CHILD-FRIENDLY DAY AUGUST 11TH, 2022.
AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE FIRST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES TO BECOME A CANDIDATE FOR THE UNICEF CHILD-FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE, REAFFIRMING HOUSTON'S DEDICATION TO PLACE THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN FIRST, LISTEN TO YOUTH'S CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND ADVOCATE FOR AND PROTECT CHILD RIGHTS AND
[00:30:02]
AND WHEREAS THE CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE, A UNICEF LED INITIATIVE, UM, SUPPORTS MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS IN REALIZING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN AT THE LOCAL LEVEL USING THE UN CONVENTION OF RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AT ITS FOUNDATION.
AND WHEREAS IN 2019, MAYOR TURNER BECAME THE FIRST UNITED STATES MAYOR TO SIGN UNICEF'S GLOBAL CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE MANIFESTO AS THE FIRST CANDIDATE FOR THE UNICEF CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE.
HOUSTON IS BUILDING UPON A PROUD LEGACY OF PROTECTING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS, ADVOCATED BY THE CITY AND COMMUNITY LEADERS.
AND WHEREAS AUGUST 11TH, 2022 WILL BE A DAY OF COMMITMENT FOR ALL INDIVIDUALS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO CONTINUE TO ESTABLISH BEST PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES TO CREATE A SAFER, MORE INCLUSIVE CITY FOR HOUSTON'S CHILDREN.
AND
AND WHILE I STILL STAND, I DO.
AND ONE GROUP, I, I DID NOT CALL UP, AND I CERTAINLY WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR ALL OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE HERE, UH, FOR THAT YOUNG GENERATION OF ALL THE YOUNG PEOPLE.
IF, IF YOU ARE, I DON'T, I DON'T KNOW WHY TO CUT IT OFF, COUNSEL, THE YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBERS, AND THESE ARE MEMBERS OF THE YOUTH, OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL COMMITTEE THAT'S HERE, AND I WANT TO, UM, UH, AND THEY ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS, THE MILLIONS OF KIDS, UH, NOT JUST IN OUR CITY, BUT IN EVERY CITY.
AND THEY COME AND THEY REPRESENT KIDS FROM ALL PERSUASIONS.
THE DIVERSITY, THE FABRIC THAT EXISTS.
AND I UNDERSCORE OUR BECAUSE IT'S NOT ABOUT A BIOLOGICAL CONNECTION, BUT THESE ARE OUR KIDS.
AND IT MATTERS NOT WHAT THEY LOOK LIKE.
IT MATTERS NOT WHERE THEY COME FROM.
AND THAT MATTERS NOT THEIR LANGUAGE.
IT MATTERS NOT WHETHER THEY'RE DOCUMENTED OR UNDOCUMENTED.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS THAT THESE ARE OUR CHILDREN AND WE LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE.
SO THANK YOU ALL SO VERY, SO VERY, VERY MUCH.
AND THEY REPRESENT THE DIVERSITY OF OUR GREAT CITY.
THANK YOU, PRESIDENT NINE HE, AND PLEASE, LET'S GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
AT THIS TIME, WE'LL HEAR FROM THE PROGRAM MANAGER, SOMEONE WHO HAS TIRELESSLY WORKED FOR OVER TWO YEARS TO GET US TO THIS POINT WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
THIS ACTION PLAN, WHICH YOU ALL RECEIVED AS YOU WALKED IN, IS A WORK OF LOVE AND A LOT OF HOURS PUT INTO IT.
I WELCOME LALA TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE PROGRAM.
THANK YOU SO MUCH OLIVERO FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR ENTRUSTING ME WITH THIS EFFORT.
WE TRULY APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO IS HERE TODAY TO CELEBRATE THIS SPECIAL AND HISTORIC MOMENT.
AS Y'ALL HEARD, UM, HOUSTON IS PIONEERING THE ELEVATION OF YOUTH BOYS SUPPORTING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS AND CREATING A VISION FOR A HEALTHY, SAFE, AND SUCCESSFUL FUTURE FOR THE CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE OF HOUSTON.
HOUSTON'S CANDIDACY AND COMPLETION OF THE CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES ACTION PLAN IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE HARD WORK.
HOUSTONIANS OF ALL AGES HAVE DEDICATED TO IMPROVE CHILDREN'S WELFARE AND ENSURING CHILDREN ARE SEEN AND HEARD THROUGH
[00:35:01]
THE CFCI COMMUNITY ASSESSMENTS.AS YOU HEARD, MANY OF YOU HEAR YOUTH, PARENTS SERVICE PROVIDERS, EDUCATORS, CHILDREN, ADVOCATES, LENT YOUR VOICES TO INFORM OUR OFFICE ABOUT THE STATE OF CHILDREN'S RIGHTS IN HOUSTON.
YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS DETERMINE PRIORITIES AND STRATEGIES LISTED IN THE ACTION PLAN AND HIGHLIGHTED HOUSTONIAN PROFOUND ENTHUSIASM IN CREATING A STRONGER SUPPORT NETWORK FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH.
THESE ACCOMPLISHMENTS COULD NOT HAVE BEEN ACHIEVED WITHOUT THE GROUNDWORK LAID BY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE UNICEF, USA, MENTAL HEALTH OF GREATER HOUSTON REGION FOUR, TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL, AND SO MANY OTHERS WHO GALVANIZED EFFORTS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS IN THE AFTERMATH OF HARVEY.
IT WAS THEN THAT UNICEF WAS INVITED THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO, TO COMPLETE THE CFCI INITIATIVE.
I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE A FEW VERY SPECIAL PEOPLE, UM, COUNCIL MEMBER CARLOS CISNEROS AND THE CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH COMMITTEE FOR SHEDDING LIGHT ON THE MOST PRESSING ISSUES FACING HOUSTONIANS AND THEIR FAMILIES TODAY.
AND SUPPORTING POLICY EFFORTS THAT HAVE INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE LIVING IN POVERTY.
NELSON BOWMAN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT AND BELIEF IN THIS INITIATIVE.
YOUR EFFORTS HAVE REALLY MADE HOUSTON VERY SPECIAL.
AND FINALLY, OF COURSE, I'D LIKE TO THANK MAYOR SYLVESTER TURNER FOR ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF EDUCATION IN 2016 TO PROMOTE AND ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES AND EXCELLENCE FOR ALL CHILDREN IN HOUSTON IN 2019.
AS YOU HEARD, MAYOR TURNER BECAME THE FIRST MAYOR IN THE UNITED STATES TO SIGN THE UNICEF GLOBAL CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES MANIFESTO INITIATIVE.
AND I KNOW WE'VE SAID IT A LOT, BUT IT REALLY NEEDS TO BE SAID BECAUSE THAT IS NO SMALL FEAT AND IT'S NOT EASY TO BE THE FIRST AND LEAD OTHERS INTO UNCHARTERED TERRITORIES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR FORESIGHT AND COURAGE.
MAYOR TURNER, BEING THE FIRST COMES WITH ITS OWN SET OF CHALLENGES AND FEARS, BUT IT ALSO CREATES FERTILE GROUND FOR OPPORTUNITIES AND HOPE.
BEING FIRST ALLOWS US TO IMAGINE NEW POSSIBILITIES AND BE VISIONARIES FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT YET SEE THE WAY FORWARD.
IN TIMES WHERE YOUTH NEED US, MORE THAN EVER, THE MEMBERS OF THE CFCI LEADERSHIP TEAM, TASK FORCE, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS INTERGENERATIONAL COMMITTEE HAVE CREATED, UM, HAVE WORKED ON CREATING POLICIES AND PROGRAMS IN THEIR OWN DEPARTMENTS AND PROTECTING CHILDREN'S RIGHTS.
AND IN CFCI, THEY HAVE COLLABORATED AND PROVIDED ESSENTIAL GUIDANCE FOR HOW DO WE COORDINATE ALL OF OUR DIFFERENT INTERESTS INTO ONE.
THANKS TO YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT, THIS INITIATIVE HAS EXPANDED FAR BEYOND THE WALLS OF THIS BUILDING AND HAS REACHED INTO HOUSTON COMMUNITIES AND HOUSEHOLDS AS EVIDENCED BY THE IMMENSE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE CFCI INTERGENERATIONAL COMMITTEE, THE CFCI AND MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL, THEIR PARENTS, WHO ARE SOME OF OUR HERE TODAY, VOLUNTEERS AND OF COURSE THE AMAZING MOE STAFF AND INTERNS.
MAJOR PROPS TO JESSICA MCGOWAN WHO REALLY PUT THIS EVENT TOGETHER.
SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.
UM, YOU ARE ALL LIVING PROOF HOW HOUSTON COM, THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY HAS REPEATEDLY SHOWN ITS WILLINGNESS TO WORK TOGETHER TO SUPPORT THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US.
NOW AS WE ENTER THIS NEW STAGE, WE MUST NURTURE THIS INITIATIVE SO THAT IT MAY GROW STRONG AND HEALTHY AND HAVE EVERLASTING RESULTS.
AND WE MUST BELIEVE IN THE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE IT CAN CREATE THE CHALLENGES AND FEARS OF CREATING CHANGE WILL ALWAYS REMAIN.
BUT WE MUST REMEMBER THAT ALTHOUGH HOUSTON YOUTH NEED OUR SUPPORT, THEY ALSO POSSESS A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AND CAN ACT AS AMAZING RESOURCES AND PARTNERS IN THIS JOURNEY.
THEY ARE READY AND THEY ARE EXCITED TO HELP US EXECUTE OUR VISION AND CHAMPION THEIR OWN RIGHTS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
WITH THAT IN MIND, I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE OUR YOUTH SPEAKERS, THREE OF THEM.
UM, 2021 NATIONAL STUDENT POET OF THE SOUTHWEST, AND FROM HOUSTON, KECHI EMBA, WHO WILL BE FOLLOWED BY MAYOR'S OFFICE OF EDUCATION INTERN AND UN UNICEF ADVOCACY LEAD.
DANIELLA JACOB AND MEMBER OF THE MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL, AS WELL AS THE CHILD FROM THE CITY'S YOUTH COUNCIL AND UNICEF NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY SLEEP SOMETIMES.
ALEX XAVIER MENDOZA, PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING THE NATIONAL STUDENT POET OF THE SOUTHWEST KECHI.
UH, THANK YOU FOR THAT WONDERFUL INTRODUCTION, LAURA.
[00:40:01]
A NATIONAL STUDENT POET COMING TO END THIS AUGUST, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THIS TO MARK MY LAST EVENT WITH THE PROGRAM.UM, AND I'LL BE READING MY POEM.
OUR CITY, OUR CITY WE'RE BORN AND THIS CITY HOLDS US, ROCKS US IN ITS ARMS. SO WE NAME IT LIKE WE NAME ALL THE THINGS WE LOVE, H TOWN, SPACE, CITY, CAPITAL OF THE SUNBELT TILL OUR NAMED CITY WATCHES IN A WIDE-EYED WONDER AS WE THE YOUTH GROW IN THE BELLY OF THE BAYOU, WATCHING THE CITIZENS OF OUR CITY HELP ONE ANOTHER, REBUILD HOUSES AFTER A HURRICANE, PACKAGE CANS FOR THE FOOD BANK, CARE FOR OTHERS SO WE CAN GET THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.
HOW THESE JOINT EFFORTS MAKE OUR CITY'S BEATING HEART, THUMP, THUMP, THUMP.
UNTIL WE RECOGNIZE THE POWER IN THIS MUSIC, THE WAY POSITIVE ACTION CAN BRING A RHYTHM TO OUR STREETS.
SO WE MAKE OUR OWN SYMPHONY OF VOICES, BRING SOME NEW MELODIES, HAVE PEOPLE KNOW WHAT WE CARE ABOUT, ECHO THE IMPORTANCE OF LESS LOOKED AT PLACES, WORKING ALONGSIDE THE YOUNG AND OLD TO CREATE THE DIFFERENCES WE WANT TO SEE.
LET IT BE KNOWN THAT OUR CITY HOUSTON IS ON THE WIND OF CHANGE.
ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BREATHE IN, EXHALE.
AND NEXT UP, DANIELLA AND MC XAVIER, THANK YOU KECHI FOR THAT WONDERFUL POEM.
SO AS WE CREATE CHANGE WITH THE CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE, WE REALIZE THERE ARE CHALLENGES AND THAT IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE PERSISTENT.
THIS IS A MARATHON, NOT A SPRINT.
AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT WITH GREATER EFFORTS COME EVEN GREATER REWARDS, WHICH MAKES THIS EXHALE FOR US AND EVERYONE WHO HELPED BRING THIS INITIATIVE INTO FRUITION THAT MUCH MORE VALUABLE SINCE 2019 WHEN MAYOR TURNER SET THIS WORK INTO MOTION BY SIGNING THE UNICEF GLOBAL CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE MANIFESTO, HOUSTON YOUTH HAVE BEEN THERE EVERY STEP OF THE WAY TO SEE THIS PROJECT THROUGH FROM VOICING OUR OPINIONS ON THE MAYOR'S YOUTH COUNCIL TO HELPING IDENTIFY PRIORITY ISSUES IN THE CHILD FRIENDLY CITIES INITIATIVE, INTERGENERATIONAL WORKSHOPS, US YOUTH ARE PROUD OF THE WORK WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO HELP MAKE HOUSTON A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY.
AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO DO SO MUCH MORE.
YOUTH ARE AT THE HEART OF HOUSTON'S FUTURE AND WE HOPE THAT CFCI MARKS THE BEGINNING OF A HOUSTON THAT SEEKS TO EMPOWER YOUTH.
A HOUSTON THAT VALUES OUR PARTICIPATION, ENGAGES US IN CITY DECISION MAKING AND HARNESSES THE POWER OF OUR VOICES, CREATING A MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE CITY.
CFCI IS HELPING HOUSTON BECOME A CITY FOR ALL ITS PEOPLE.
WE MAY BE OF DIFFERENT AGES, BUT WE ALL COME TO THE TABLE WITH OUR INDIVIDUAL VOICES AND OUR EXPERIENCES TO SHARE WITH EACH OTHER.
THIS INITIATIVE IS A COMMITMENT A COM, A COMMITMENT THAT THOSE IN CHARGE WILL LISTEN TO ALL THAT WE HAVE TO SAY AND USE OUR INSIGHTS TO INFORM CI CITY POLICIES THAT CONCERN US.
THIS IS BOTH A SMALL STEP AND A GIANT LEAP TO A MORE CHILD FRIENDLY AND RESILIENT HOUSTON.
AND WE THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING A PART OF IT.
THANK YOU KECHI FOR THE BEAUTIFUL POEM THAT REALLY WARMS MY HEART AND I'M SO PROUD TO BE A ADOPTED HOUSTONIAN.
I, UH, WOULD LIKE TO ALSO THANK DANIELLA AND ALEX XAVIER FOR THE WONDERFUL SPEECH THAT FELT LIKE THE OSCARS, DIDN'T IT?
AT THIS TIME, UM, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ATTENDING AND I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN IT FOR QUESTIONS AND IF ANYONE IS WILLING TO ASK ANY QUESTIONS TO OURSELVES, TO MAYOR, TO PRESIDENT AND CEO MICHAEL NINE HOUSE.
BUT BEFORE YOU GO, PLEASE TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO MINGLE AND TO MEET OTHER INDIVIDUALS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR THAT ARE JUST AS COMMITTED AS YOU ARE TO MAKE HOUSTON A CHILD FRIENDLY CITY.
WE ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL SURPRISE.
THERE'S A SIGN AT THE END OF THIS WALL THAT READS THE WORD CHILD, BUT THERE IS A LETTER MISSING IN IT.
[00:45:01]
SINGLE ONE OF YOU HERE TODAY TO TAKE A PICTURE AND BE THE I IN CHILD AND YOU.IT'LL NOT BE, UH, POSSIBLE TO HOST THIS EVENT WITHOUT A SPECIAL GROUP OF PEOPLE.
THE IAN GROUP WHO SPONSOR THIS BEAUTIFUL ATMOSPHERE, BEAUTIFUL BALLOONS, FOOD, AND MOCKTAILS BECAUSE WHO DOESN'T LIKE THURSDAY MORNING PARTIES? WE DO AT THIS TIME.
I WILL OPEN IT FOR QUESTIONS AND FOR MINGLING.