Resolutions Night - March 15, 2010

At the March general meeting, following the speaker and short business meeting, we will divide up into four groups and spend about 20 minutes to discuss possible amendments to the draft resolutions listed below. The resulting amended resolutions will be published in our April newsletter, and we will then vote on them at the April general meeting. There will be no discussion in April, so please try and take part in the March process. 

Although our club will not be discussing our own proposed resolution on chrysotile asbestos in March, we would very much like you to read the background; we’re quite proud of the results of our hard work! 

In April, our suggested amendments to the other resolutions will go back to the proposing club for consideration, who will then send final proposed resolutions back to all clubs. These will be presented at the national AGM for voting. If passed, they become policy for CFUW, and can be used for advocacy purposes.  

If you are interested in working with the Resolutions Committee, we would be thrilled to have your help.

Background on all resolutions is available.

DRAFT RESOLVED CLAUSES FOR COMMENT 2010

_____________________________________________

#1 CHRYSOTILE ASBESTOS AND CANADA’S RESPONSIBILITY IN THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES

Proposed by CFUW Oakville 

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada, and the Provinces and Territories of Canada, to implement a ban on the mining, use, and trade of all forms of asbestos. 

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada to support the inclusion of chrysotile asbestos in Annex III of the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade.  

Resolved, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada to protect human health and the environment by working with other nations to promote shared responsibility and cooperation in the international trade of hazardous substances.  

#2 The Funding Of Aboriginal Education

Proposed by the National Education Committee 

RESOLVED, That Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada, and the provincial and territorial governments, to make available the resources and support necessary to provide the Aboriginal population with the same quality, same level of access and funding for education as that provided through the public education system.  

#3 MOBILIZING THE WILL TO INTERVENE – W2I

Proposed by the CFUW International Relations Committee 

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) adopt as policy support for the Will to Intervene - W2I – Leadership and Action to Prevent Mass Atrocities demonstrated by the setting of clear policy priorities at the highest levels of government that preventing abuse and slaughter of innocent victims is one of its most important duties and further be it 

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada to make the Prevention of Mass Atrocities a national priority by: 

• promoting  a broadly designed public discussion on Canada’s role in preventing mass atrocities
• convert  the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Prevention of Genocide and Other Crimes Against Humanity into a Standing Joint Committee
• establish an interdepartmental Coordinating Officer  for the Prevention of Mass Atrocities
• create standard operating procedures for disseminating intelligence  concerning the risk of mass atrocities throughout the whole of government
• consult with civil Society and NGOs to explore the broad question of how preventing mass atrocities  is in Canada’s interest and further be it

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge parliamentarians and senators to exercise their individual initiatives and use their existing powers and privileges to advocate  for the implementation of the Responsibility to Protect - R2P,  as an international norm and a vital part of Canada’s foreign policy  

# 4  PROSTITUTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Proposed by the University Women’s Club of Vancouver

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) consider prostitution to be a form of violence against women and children that sexually exploits women and children and prevents the achievement of women’s equality in Canada and around the world;

RESOLVED, That CFUW urges the Government of Canada

1. To enact legislation that prohibits the purchasing of sexual services wherever it occurs, including the internet, and which imposes criminal sanctions on the purchasers of sexual services.

2.  To repeal those sections of the Criminal Code which impose sanctions on prostituted persons for soliciting or selling their sexual services. 

# 5 PROTECTING CANADIANS FROM HEALTH HAZARDS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSURE TO ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELDS FROM HIGH VOLTAGE OVERHEAD POWER LINES

Proposed by CFUW South Delta, BC

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) urge the Government of Canada and provincial, territorial and municipal governments to protect the health of Canadians from harm created by exposure to electro-magnetic fields from high voltage overhead power lines by:

1.  Requiring that the Precautionary Principle be enforced and policy and regulations developed to protect Canadians from harm from high voltage overhead power lines;

2.  Requiring that new overhead power lines be placed underground or at distances from homes, schools, or places of work or study determined to be safe by European Union member states and other countries implementing the precautionary principle; 

3.  Establishing an independent monitoring body that includes citizen involvement and makes regular public reports on emerging research and on existing and proposed installations of new high voltage overhead power lines;

4.  Promoting public awareness and education, and support the development and use of safe alternatives to overhead power lines. 

 

 

 

The following proposed resolution will not be amended – it will be a simple vote at the AGM. This one will not be discussed in March.  

UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS 1820, 1882, 1888 AND 1889 ON PEACE AND SECURITY FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN

Proposed by CFUW International Relations Committee 

RESOLVED, That the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) support United Nations Security Council Resolutions: 

• UNSCR 1820 (2008) Women and peace and security
• UNSCR 1882 (2009) Children and armed conflict
• UNSCR 1888 (2009) Women and peace and security, and
• UNSCR 1889 (2009) Women and peace and security.