A. Advise the Berkeley City Council and the Berkeley Unified School Board on all matters relating to the City of Berkeley’s role in issues of peace and social justice, including, but not limited to the issues of ending the arms race, abolishing nuclear weapons, support for human rights and self-determination throughout the world, and the reallocation of our national resources so that money now spent on war and preparation of war is spent on fulfilling human needs and the promotion of peace.

B. Help create citizen awareness around issues of social justice and develop educational programs for implementation by the City Council and the School Board.

C. Help develop proposals for the City Council and the School Board for actions in furtherance of the goals of peace and justice, and help publicize such actions in the community.

D. Hold public hearings and community forums on issues that fall within the charge of the commission, and call on appropriate witnesses to provide pertinent information.

E. Initiate and encourage research programs to collect and assess information relevant to the functions of the commission including the effect of the arms race and military spending on funding for City and school programs and on the quality of life for citizens of Berkeley.

F. Develop ways to resolve conflict which do not involve violence and which may be applied on a local level as well as a national level.

G. Initiate and develop cultural and educational foreign exchange.

H. Act as a liaison between community groups organizing around issues of peace and social justice and City government.

I. Prepare inventories of City resources, both public and private that are available for furthering the work of promoting international peace and social justice.

J. Provide information to other municipalities and school districts on the work of the commission, and exchange information on actions taken by cities and the School Board in furtherance of the goals of the commission.

K. Assist the Director of Finance in the annual evaluation of financial institutions for qualification of City investments; complete development and assist in the implementation of a linked deposit program; encourage target investments; coordinate with City agencies, appropriate community organizations, public and private investors, and the Governor’s Public Investment Task Force; and advise the City Council on matters relating to the responsible investment of public funds in accordance with the responsible investment policy established by Resolution No. 55,141A-NS.

L. Perform such other functions and duties as may be directed by the City Council or prescribed or authorized by any ordinance of the City, and such other functions and duties not prohibited by City Council which the commission should decide are consistent with its overall function of promoting peace and social justice.

M. In prescribing the above duties and functions of the commission, it is not the intent of the council to duplicate or overlap the functions, duties, or responsibilities heretofore or hereafter assigned to any other City board or commission or to a City department. As to such functions or responsibilities above set forth which are partially or wholly the responsibilities of another board or commission or of a department of the City, the commission will render such assistance and advice to such board, commission or department as may be requested. (Ord. 6017-NS § 1, 1990: Ord. 5705-NS § 7, 1986)