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The Next Twenty Years: Nurturing a New Generation
The New Mexico Children’s Charter |
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With our 20th anniversary upon us, we look ahead to the next 20 years with renewed determination to nurture a new generation of New Mexico children. We will continue to work toward a world in which: everyone’s human rights are protected and respected; our communities are healthy, safe environments; economic opportunity is available to everyone; and we all work together to guide our elected officials and public institutions, and keep them accountable.
If we are to stay on track, we must chart a course for the next 20 years. We see the following outcomes as the destination of that course:
•No child lives in poverty
• Every child and adult has access to quality health care, including
mental health care
• Every family has access to affordable, safe and high quality early
childcare and education
• Every child has access to a public education system that is fully
funded and in which resources are equitably distributed
• Every New Mexican can afford to
go to college
• Our youth have access to positive development opportunities and alternatives
to incarceration
• Our youth have enough positive options available to them that they
put off parenthood until they are older and economically independent
• Every family has safe,
affordable housing and sufficient, nutritious food
• Our economic development strategy
provides for jobs that pay living wages, guarantee family leave, protect workers’ rights,
and provide access to education to improve skills and success in the workplace
• Our tax system is transparent, everyone pays their fair share, and it generates enough
revenue to maintain necessary programs
• Children and families are a high priority in
federal, state and local budgets
• Every family has access to appropriate credit, and
predatory lending practices are abolished
• Our state has and enforces strong environmental
laws that protect public health and the future of the planet
• All communities, regardless of
diversity, size or place, have a voice in state government
• Our voter rights are protected
and civic participation is encouraged
• Our elected officials are held accountable
through campaign finance reform and ethics laws
• All New Mexicans are assured protection
of their human rights and civil liberties
• No one experiences disparities in education, health,
economic opportunity, housing, civil rights, self determination or personal power because of their
race, ethnicity, religion, disability, gender or sexual orientation
• All immigrants to New Mexico are protected by just and humane immigration policies
• Every community is a safe, welcoming place for families and children
In order to realize this vision of a better future, we will continue to collaborate with our many allies, partners and elected officials, but we will hold ourselves accountable for reaching our goals. As this is a living document, we will revisit this charter and make course corrections as needs change. And we will ask the community to join us in these efforts. We hope you share our vision for New Mexico’s children and families. And we hope that if you do, you will raise your voice with ours and speak for the children.
