A former Kamsack resident who is now a resident of New York City, was part of the United Nations’ Habitat III conference in Quito, Ecuador in October to further the goals of making urban spaces better living spaces and sustainable habitable environments.
Neal Stone, son of Stan and Judy Stone of Kamsack, and Stacey S. Corbitt, conference chair, wrote the front-page story in LGBTQ and Planning Quarterly, which is a publication of the LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Queer) and planning division of the American Planning Association.
“The world came together in Quito, Ecuador on October 16-21, 2016 to listen, learn, exchange ideas and commit to adhere to an important list of agreed-upon principles, the publication states.
“In what would be the third such gathering under the auspices of the United Nations since 1976 (the first being in Vancouver, British Columbia—Habitat I, and the second in Istanbul, Turkey—Habitat II in 1996), the United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Development—Habitat III in Quito was the culmination of some three years of dialogue between non-profit organizations; academic institutions; private sector stewards; and local, regional and federal governments.
“Discussions took place on topics of climate change, safety in the public domain, poverty, exclusion from the family unit, and advantages of density, efficiency and creativity that cities have to offer,” the publication says. “The conference built upon the Habitat Agenda, the 2030 Development Agenda, and COP 21, to define a joint position through a decentralized model of common vision.
“The ‘New Urban Agenda’ was delivered and adopted in Quito,” it said. “Principles and drivers of change prepared through the contributions of more than 7,600 men and women from 122 countries and 2,250-plus organizations worldwide, and advocated by the World Urban Campaign.
“Ten important principles were defined for ‘The City We Need’ of the future, how it is comprised, and what is needed in agreement by the global community going forward,” it said. “Although seemingly evident to some at the fore of planning and development, the broad principles guide the vision and commitments toward the New Urban Agenda.
‘The City We Need,’ is socially inclusive and engaging; affordable, accessible and equitable; economically vibrant and inclusive; collectively managed and democratically governed; fosters cohesive territorial development; regenerative and resilient; has shared identities and sense of place; is well planned, walkable, and transit-friendly; is safe, healthy and promotes well-being; and learns and innovates.
“To achieve the 21st century city we need, the Habitat Agenda partners subscribe that nations, regions, and cities work together to design, plan, manage and deliver the key principles of this paradigm using drivers of change as mechanisms for advancement, 10 of which fundamentally acknowledge: governance and partnerships; planning and design; finance; land, housing and services; environment; health and safety; economy and livelihoods; education; technology, and monitoring and evaluation,” it said.
“After months of refinement, the New Urban Agenda advances the consensus-accepted needs and principles of the city, per the United Nations participatory nations.
“In the weeks leading up to Quito, a group of some 17 countries led by Belarus blocked a plan to include the mention of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the new U.N. documents,” it said. “Canada, backed by the European Union, the United States and Mexico, pushed to include in the New Urban Agenda recognition of LGBTQ people and an acknowledgment of homophobia, backed by many organizations and groups such as the American Planning Association’s LGBTQ and Planning Division.
“The Belarus campaign, which included Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Kuwait, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, the Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, The Holy See, Turkmenistan, Yemen, and Zimbabwe instead ‘reaffirmed that the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society,’ and stressed the need for mainstreaming the traditional family across the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda (minus any LGBTQ mention).
“Advocating for vulnerable populations (specifically to include LGBTQ people) was the chair of Women Transforming Cities International Society and former Vancouver city councillor, Ellen Woodsworth, as well as the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Canadian Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, who emphasized that: ‘Canada remains committed to the UN and guiding principles of the Habitat summit to promote the inclusion of allpeople, particularly those underrepresented, such as youth, women, children, immigrants, people with disabilities, people with disabilities, Indigenous people and members of the LGBTQ community.’”
Further, Woodsworth pointedly stressed in the discourse that: ‘Cities are where LGBTQ people go to find community but that in many nations they don't just face silencing but extreme violence. It is just unbelievable that a document such as this on cities should not contain protections against discrimination for sexual orientation.’
Despite best efforts any references to the LGBTQ population were omitted in the final draft.
The APA's International Division co-ordinated APA volunteer slots at the Global Planners Network (GPN) exhibition booth in the H3 Exhibition Area during the Quito conference, and LGBTQ & Neal Stone, Planning Division Past-Chair, MCIP, AICP (both Member of Canadian Institute of Planners and American Institute of Certified Planners) volunteered for GPN. The LGBTQ & Planning Division presence was important in Quito for engaging with other planners, government officials and NGOs about LGBTQ issues and opportunities.
“Raising awareness in conversations about the estimated 640,000 LGBTQ youth in the United States that exist in our own cities is important to unmasking a unique set of problems similar to those in urban centers worldwide, and a mix of solutions that often require innovation and sensitivity,” the article says. “Our Division attended sessions and interacted with hundreds of delegates from around the world in a very short period of time.
“Although left out of the New Urban Agenda final document, there were sessions at Habitat III that specifically addressed vulnerable populations, the need to find solutions to LGBTQ discrimination and end persecution everywhere, regardless of the political climate that faces our brothers and sisters in countries less fortunate around the globe.
“Not all is lost at the U.N. yet, however… to the contrary. Under very tragic circumstances and while LGBTQ status is still criminalized in some way in more than 70 countries, on June 13, 2016 the U.N. Security Council issued a statement that said ‘members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida, on June 12, 2016 targeting persons as a result of their sexual orientation, during which 49 people were killed and 53 injured.’
“The United Nations Human Rights Council, based in Geneva, subsequently and narrowly approved on June 30, 2016 (23 for, 18 against) the appointment of an independent watchdog tasked with identifying fundamentals of discrimination and violence against people based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
“In outlining that this independent monitor would then be charged with discussing these situations with oppressive governments, the U.N. made a milestone expression that gay rights are human rights.
“On November 21, 2016 in a narrow vote just before this past holiday season, the newly appointed U.N. expert to address violence and discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation was reaffirmed to continue his work despite efforts by several African countries to stop the expert from working until the U.N. could debate the ‘legal basis’ of his mandate.
“The wheels of progress certainly turn slowly, but even as planners, we remain optimistic, vigilant, involved, and proactive—that our work, our time, our expertise joins as a voice and reminder of the fight for justice both here at home, and worldwide,” it says. “We invite your participation, professional talents, and advocacy; there is much more work to be done.
“Be active in your neighbourhoods; engage with the professional Canadian Institute of Planners and the American Planning Association who are working in our communities; and continue making a difference in all aspects of inclusive community development.”
