Newsflash / November 2024 / III

November 2024 / III

A Look Back at Restorative Justice Week 2024

This year's #RJWeek brought together an extraordinary global community! Over 50 events spanned over 20 countries across 6 continents. Activities ranged from online campaigns and webinars to awareness raising actions in the public space, film screenings, engaging discussions and even a carillon concert! We extend heartfelt thanks to everyone who organised, participated, and shared messages during this meaningful week. Together, we have celebrated restorative justice and amplified the powerful message of it as a mean to prevent and respond to polarisation and conflicts worldwide.

Tackling Polarisation Through Restorative Justice: What 's Next?

Polarisation is a growing challenge in today’s world, characterised by divisions in opinion, identity, and belief that can lead to conflict and “othering.” As highlighted in this year’s EFRJ Magazine, restorative justice provides an alternative lens to view conflicts in a new perspective and to bring closer people. This year’s EFRJ Magazine highlighted powerful examples:

Restorative practices in schools, such as empathy-driven circles to counter “us vs. them” mentalities.
Initiatives like Retissons du Lien, where victims of terrorism and those impacted by extremism engage in transformative dialogue.
Insights from the EFRJ Working Group on Hate, Polarisation, and Violent Extremism, offering strategies to address polarisation globally.

These, and resources shared by organisations participating in the campaign are available beyond this week. Check them out, get inspired, and share them with others!

Get the #RJWeek Magazine

Restorative Justice Week - Continued!

The momentum of #RJWeek doesn’t stop here! There are still plenty of events and opportunities to engage. Here are a few examples:

Listen to the New Podcast Episode. The coproduced podcast series by IIRP-EFRJ explores restorative justice addressing local . Released every Thursday of November, there is one more coming! Read here!
Attend the webinar today (25th November): Testimonies on Restorative Justice and Sexual Violence —hear survivors share their powerful stories. Read more below or Learn more here.
Global Events: Explore additional events happening linked to the #RJWeek campaign, but beyond the dates of the actual week worldwide. Check out the interactive #RJWeek map and calendar on our website for updates.
The National Center on Restorative Justice in Vermont (USA) is holding Restorative Justice Month in November. Check out their dedicated initatives and materials launched for this occasion. More details here.

Read More Here

Testimonies on Restorative Justice and Sexual Violence - today!

Join the launch of From Survivors to Survivors: Conversations on Restorative Justice in Cases of Sexual Violence today at 4 pm CET! This is a new EFRJ publication highlighting the voices of those who have experienced sexual violence and engaged with restorative justice. Listen to the people who gave their testimonies in the book on this event, held today on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. (Because of the sensitivity of the topic, there will be no recording available about this meeting, so make sure to attend if you are interested!)

International Collaboration for Future Campaigns

Looking ahead, at the EFRJ, we call for international collaboration in planning future campaigns. The need to coordinate on future campaigns was expressed by several organisations participating in the preparatory meetings this year. As a first step for next year, the EFRJ proposes a meeting for international restorative justice organisations to discuss a potential topic for the theme. The meeting will be held on Human Rights Day (10th of December 2024). The invitation and details of the event are shared by email. Interested in participating? Contact: balint.juhasz@euforumrj.org
More news about RJWeek 2025 in the beginning of next year!

Read about this year's campaign

Join the 3rd Winter Academy in Leuven!

Don’t miss the EFRJ’s 3rd Winter Academy in Leuven, happening February 3-7, 2025! The 3rd EFRJ Winter Academy offers two practice-oriented courses:

Restorative Justice and Imprisonment - Delivered by trainers Bart Claes and Roberto Moreno building and on the valuable experiences of the 9th EFRJ Summer School in Varna (2023) this course offers a profound exploration of how restorative justice approaches can be used when one of the parties is in prison.
Basic Restorative Training Skills - This course, developed by the EFRJ's Training Committee, equips participants with essential training skills. It is aligned with the principles stipulated in the forthcoming EFRJ Standards for Training Courses document. The EFRJ encourages everyone interested in delivering training to complete this course.

Participants will engage in workshops, plenary sessions, and networking opportunities to develop skills and explore innovative restorative practices. Early bird registration is available until December 15th. Register now to secure your place at this immersive learning experience! Is the participation fee and barrier for you? You can apply for a waiver until the December 5th.

Read more and register here!

Storytelling and Restorative Justice: REstART 2024 Online Workshop

Join Hannah Moore, a traditional storyteller and restorative justice practitioner, for a free taster workshop on the 11th of December 2024, from 10 – 11:30 CET. The session will explore how folk tales can support restorative justice by connecting personal experiences to collective understanding. Through creative exercises and group discussions, the workshop will delve into themes like bearing witness to others’ stories and understanding diverse experiences. The workshop is open to anyone interested in using storytelling for restoration within communities. Registration is required, and the event will be hosted online.

Screening of "Au delà de nos larmes"

Join us in Leuven (Belgium) for a special screening of the documentary "Au delà de nos larmes" at Cinema ZED, Leuven, on the 12th of December 2024, from 19:30–22 CET. The film follows the group Retissons du Lien (Reweaving Connections), formed after the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks, bringing together victims, families of jihadist recruits, and frontline workers. It explores their shared journey of healing and dialogue amidst profound loss. The screening will be followed by a multilingual discussion with the documentary's protagonists, including Fatima and Sophie, two mothers from the group, and Katrien Lauwaert, moderator and restorative justice expert.

Details of the screening

Moment of Inspiration

Why Me? (London, UK) presents What Would You Say?, a short film exploring the power of restorative justice through the journey of a crime victim and those impacted by their experience. The film demonstrates how Restorative Justice can empower victims and offenders by giving them a voice and fostering understanding and healing. Created by Loudmouth Creative with support from the Media Trust and Criminal Justice Alliance, the film highlights the impact of crime and how Restorative Justice provides an opportunity for dialogue and resolution.

Check out the video campaign!

In our newsflashes we share the most interesting and relevant updated about our work and collect information from our members and other individuals and/or organisations working in related fields. Information includes news, local activities, international events, publications, inspiring talks or projects, and much more, taking place in Europe and beyond. Please contact us if you have any comments or any news you would like us to share in our future editions. You can enjoy the previous editions of the EFRJ Newsflashes here. Feel free to forward them to friends or colleagues and invite them to sign up on the EFRJ website!

European Forum for Restorative Justice vzw
Herbert Hooverplein 10, Leuven 3000, BE
RPR Leuven
Company number: 0474 656 137
euforumrj.org