Name of Council Member: Council Member Inez E.

Dickens Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Campaign Website (if applicable):

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. We are bond by universalities of basic needs like access to healthy affordable food, affordable housing, clean drinking water, gainful employment, quality education and above all the ability to provide for oneself and family. The reality is, there are still people in the US, more specifically in Harlem that are experiencing food, housing, health and economic insecurity and instability almost on a daily basis and I am reminded of that when I speak to my constituents. As a representative, these sort of issues are not individual or self-contained they affect the growth and progress of humanity. 2. Please share briefly how you have used your role in Council to advance human rights. My role at the Council is to ensure that my district has opportunities that the residents can avail themselves to. Because I serve a high needs district, I therefore have funded free education programs and built and upgraded education and health facilities. I have petitioned that the average medium income formula that determines income eligibility requirement for affordable housing be reviewed and set more aligned to the AMI of a neighborhood so it is reflective of the people it is intended to help- if achieved, communities citywide will significantly benefit. 3. Legislative priorities: Please list your top 3 legislative priorities for 2013 [you may include legislation that has passed]: 1. Childhood Obesity 2. Affordable Housing 3. Small Businesses

What will be your top 3 legislative priorities as a Council Member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. Health Preventative & Self-care 2. Affordable housing 3. Small Businesses 4. Budget priorities: Please list your top three budget priorities of 2013: 1. Youth Programs 2. Programs for senior citizens 3. Cultural & Health What will your top 3 budget priorities be as a Council member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. Youth Programs 2. Programs for the senior citizens 3. Cultural & Health 5. Have you used participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? I have explored the aspect of using participatory budgeting as an instrument to greater understand how best to address the needs of my district. I have tried to be mindful that the local community boards and neighborhood advisory boards have and continue to serve as a pertinent buttress between the community and representatives. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. There have been a couple of pieces of either resolutions, or enacted, or newly introduced legislation thats targeted toward restoring the practice of government for the people by the people. a) Resolution urging the United States Congress to pass H.R. 808, the Department of Peace Act, which would create a cabinet-level department headed by a Secretary of Peace who would advise the President on both domestic and international peace issues including non-military conflict resolution and human rights. b) A Local Law to amend the New York City charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to opportunities for minority and women owned business enterprises and emerging business enterprises in city procurement

c) A Local Law to amend the New York city charter and the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to the provision of sick time earned by employees. 7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? I have always maintained an open door policy with my community; whether with community residents, communitybased organizations or stakeholders. I look forward in continuing the dialogue with the aforementioned and all others working to improve the quality of life in Harlem. 8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. I believe that power should never be centralize. However, it is essential to streamline the process in hopes that all members will do everything within their power to collaborate to move this city forward.