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<br />No one has provided a simple definition for social justice -its boundaries, scope, and <br />purpose - at least one that most social scientists, politicians, or social justice advocates agree. A <br />major obstacle to developing a precise and universally acceptable definition arises in part to the <br />all-encompassing scope of equal access and equal treatment. From this perspective; social <br />justice could be both a process and a goal. It includes a vision of a society that is equitable and <br />all members are physically and psychologically safe. The aim of social justice is full and equal <br />participation of all groups in a society designed and mutually shaped to meet their needs. <br />The enclosed report proposes to achieve social justice in Orange County, the County shall <br />perform government duties including policy making and budgeting with the express objectives of <br />eliminating oppression and creating equal opportunity; creating a community where individuals <br />may sufficiently provide for their own physical, social, and mental needs and the needs of their <br />dependents; and to provide safety net mechanisms for those, whom for circumstances beyond <br />their control, fmd themselves unable to do so; creating a community where no groups are <br />targeted for harassment, intimidation or violence; balancing a healthful environment with a <br />sustainable economy; and encouraging and enabling all residents to participate civically. The <br />proposed recommendations require collaborative efforts at all levels of government, tax dollars, <br />and personal and collective commitrnent to the ideology of equal access and equal treatment. <br />In reaching consensus to forward the enclosed report to the BOCC, the HRC, as has <br />others who cogitate the issue of social justice, engaged in lively discussion and voiced diverse <br />opinions and perspectives. The HRC was given opportunity to submit comments and/or <br />questions regarding the report to staff. The comments and/or questions submitted and staff's <br />responses are available for review. <br />The government of the United States is a State Party to two international human rights <br />treaties: the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (CCPR) and the International <br />Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD). Ratification of the CCPR and <br />CERD means that the government is legally obliged to enforce these treaties by respecting, <br />protecting and fulfilling the rights they cover; this includes passing relevant domestic laws and <br />regulations. A key concept in both conventions is the principle of non-discrimination, which <br />means that every person is entitled to the rights covered by the treaties without distinctions of <br />any kind such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social <br />origin, property, birth or other status. If the BOCC adopts a social justice goal for Orange <br />County, the BOCC's action would be an expression of local-level implementation of the two <br />treaties endorsed by the federal government. <br />..__ <br />Memo, of :Trazzsfn, tfal_ ii <br />