UNICEF USA officially recognizes City of Minneapolis as the second Child Friendly City in the country.

• This marks the completion of the Child Friendly City Initiative (CFCI) cycle that included:
  • A community assessment
  • Creation and implementation of a Local Action Plan
  • Third-party evaluation
• To celebrate the CFCI designation, we gathered in the Public Service Building for a press conference. Speakers included:
  • Mayor Jacob Frey
  • Former Commissioner of Health, Gretchen Musicant
  • Commissioner of Health, Damon Chaplin
  • Minneapolis School Board member, Kim Ellison
  • UNICEF USA President & CEO, Michael Nyenhuis

See the press conference

The Engagement Committee organized a community gathering of about 50 people.

• They discussed the progress of CFCI and gathered input from partners.
• Minneapolis Public Schools hosted the event. Keynote speakers included Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan and Interim Superintendent Rochelle Cox.

• CFCI held two focus groups with about 50 parents at Joyce Preschool and La Creche Early Childhood Center.
• Parents shared their experiences and perceptions of safety.

See the summary report

• Three CFCI Urban Scholars engaged over 100 Minneapolis young people. They asked about their experiences and perceptions of safety.
• The Urban Scholar project leads presented their findings to three stakeholder groups.

Read the summary report

Minneapolis pilots Youth On Boards program:

• Six young people from the Minneapolis Youth Congress piloted Youth On Boards. They served on the:
  • Transgender Equity Council
  • Northside Greenzone
  • Public Health Advisory Committee

Minneapolis improves the City’s Emergency Management plans:

• We changed the plans to better respond to children and families.
• We increased communications about emergency preparedness for children and caregivers. This included:
  • A flyer in four languages
  • A newsletter for school-age children and caregivers
• We developed Ready Camps for youth and families about preparing for an emergency.

• UNICEF USA President and CEO, Michael Nyenhuis, visits Minneapolis to celebrate the Local Action Plan.
• Minneapolis is chosen as a CFCI candidate.

• Mayor Jacob Frey declares November 20 to be World Youth and Children's Rights Day in Minneapolis.
• The date marks the 32-year anniversary of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

We provided families with books during well-child visits.

• Books included:
  • I Have a Right to Be A Child by Alain Serres
  • Every Child a Song by Nichola Davies
• Current partners:
  • Hennepin Healthcare Pediatric Clinic
  • Hennepin Mobile Clinic
  • Broadway Family Practice

These providers have given 700 books to families.

• Minneapolis is one of six cities to pilot the initiative.
• City officials and community leaders analyze the well-being of children in our city. They include input from children and youth.

Read the announcement of the launch

• We sign a Memorandum of Understanding with UNICEF USA.
• This makes us a candidate to become a Child Friendly City.
• Those in attendance at the signing include:
  • Mayor Jacob Frey
  • City Councilmember Phillipe Cunningham
  • Youth representing the Minneapolis Youth Congress (MYC)
  • Other city officials and partners

• Minneapolis sends representatives to the conference.
• The City begins work to become a Child Friendly City and partners with the following groups to make it happen:
• Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board
• Minneapolis Parks and Recreation
• Community volunteers

The initiative uses a child rights-based framework to build a roadmap for establishing cities and communities around the world that are more:

• Safe
• Just
• Equitable
• Inclusive
• Child-responsive

Read about the Child Friendly Cities Initiative

• World leaders ratify an agreement that supports the human rights of children.
• Minneapolis Mayor Don Fraser signs on as an early advocate.

Read the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child