Recognizing October 21, 2021 as Conflict Resolution Day.

WHEREAS, Conflict Resolution Day occurs on the third Thursday in October and was conceived in 2005 by the Association for Conflict Resolution to promote awareness of mediation, arbitration, conciliation, and other creative, peaceful means of resolving conflict; and

WHEREAS, In Philadelphia, a significant number of children live in poverty, are impacted by gun violence, experience trauma at home, and experience acts of violence in their community as a part of their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia is on track to see its most deadly year ever recorded with over 1,800 fatal and non-fatal shooting victims; and

WHEREAS, In 2020, 305 children were victims of gun violence with 35 young people tragically losing their lives; and

WHEREAS, Many young people use violence to deal with conflict because they have not been exposed to alternative methods to deal with conflict; and

WHEREAS, Conflict resolutions aim to educate students to recognize conflict as a natural part of life that can be resolved peacefully; and

WHEREAS, Following Resolution No. 200430 (introduced by Councilmember Gilmore Richardson), City Council held hearings exploring the benefits of offering conflict resolution districtwide. During a follow-up hearing, the School District of Philadelphia announced as of the 2021-2022 School Year, the School District of Philadelphia will offer every student Tier 1 conflict resolution for every child; and

WHEREAS, Students will learn to develop awareness of their own responses to conflict, understand the diversity with which others respond, learn and practice the principles of conflict resolution and the skills of peaceful problem-solving processes, empower themselves to be individually and cooperatively responsible for resolving conflicts and integrate these responsibilities into their daily lives; and

WHEREAS, Conflict resolution curriculum will decrease violence in schools and on the streets, decrease required spending for School Resource Officers, and increase the presence of school counselors who are trained in violence reduction and conflict resolution; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Disease Control, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Substance Abuse, Mental Health Services Administration have stated that trauma-informed schools are necessary to stop school shootings and improve graduation rates; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes October 21, 2021 as Conflict Resolution Day.

End