Communications Committee

The Communications Committee of the European Forum for Restorative Justice is a think tank, advisory board, and support group composed of members with expertise in communication. It is dedicated to strengthening the organisation's communication, raising awareness of restorative justice and promoting restorative culture across Europe.

The Communications Committee supports the EFRJ’s endeavours to advance awareness, understanding, and accessibility of restorative justice across diverse audiences. Recognising that knowledge of restorative justice principles and practices remains uneven, and that its presence in public discourse is still limited, the Committee works to strengthen communication as a key driver for broader recognition, engagement, and integration within society.
Through mapping, monitoring, strategic guidance, creative input, and practical support in communications, the Committee seeks to enhance the impact of the EFRJ’s work and that of its committees and working groups. It aims to position the EFRJ as a central and trusted source of restorative justice knowledge, ensuring that its values and benefits are communicated in ways that are clear,
inclusive, and relevant across different contexts.

January 2025 - June 2027

• Heidi Jokinen (Finland)
• Laura Schmidt (Hungary/Germany)
• Robert Shaw (USA)
• Emily Molinari (Germany/Italy)
• Co-Chair: Keeva Baxter (UK)
• Co-Chair: Inesa Vėlavičiūtė (Scotland/Lithuania)
• Board representative: Brunilda Pali (Belgium)
• Secretariat Representatives: Bálint Juhász, Andrea Handl, EFRJ Communications Officers

The Committee works in cooperation with the Communications Officer to support the design and delivery of the EFRJ’s Communication Strategy by evaluating, monitoring, proposing and implementing communication principles and activities. This includes developing and adapting messages for diverse local contexts across Europe and beyond, incorporating a broader range of languages, mapping national media landscapes on justice-related issues, and building relationships to strengthen media engagement across different countries. The Committee also seeks to extend the EFRJ’s reach beyond the restorative justice field and established professional networks, with the aim of increasing public awareness.

Committee’s activities include curating and editing content for the Blog and Newsletter; reviewing existing communication practices and recommending improvements; supporting other committees and working groups in sharing information and promoting their outputs; and contributing to the EFRJ’s coordinating role in the preparation of the annual Restorative Justice Week (#RJWeek) campaign in November.

The Communications Committee of the European Forum for Restorative Justice was established in 2025, succeeding the former Editorial Committee and reflecting a broader, more strategic approach to the organisation’s communications. Its creation marks the evolution of a long-standing structure that originally focused on the production and dissemination of the Forum’s Newsletter.
The origins of this work date back to June 2000, when the first Newsletter was produced. Initially published twice a year, it quickly expanded to three editions annually, supported by an Editorial Board, responsible for its management and development. Over time, the Board became more structured, with key leadership roles emerging, including a Coordinator and later an Editor. In 2013, the publication transitioned from print to a primarily digital format, reflecting changes in communication practices and audience needs, while maintaining a printed edition featuring selected articles.
In 2014, a joint meeting between the EFRJ Board and the Editorial Board formalised this evolution by establishing the Editorial Committee. This introduced defined terms of office, a staggered membership structure, and a formal link with the EFRJ Board, strengthening governance and continuity. Following further internal developments, the Committee adopted a collective editorial approach in 2018, sharing responsibility for content production among its members.
Building on this foundation, the transition to the Communications Committee in 2025 represents a natural progression – from a focus on publication to a wider remit encompassing strategic communication, visibility, and engagement. The Committee continues to draw on its strong editorial legacy while supporting the EFRJ’s mission through more integrated and evolving communication practices.