The introduction course to restorative justice of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ)

What is it about? 
This online course invites participants to discover the basics of restorative justice,  its purpose, key principles, models, applicability, and supporting legal instruments. The learning is organised through active participation, discussions, group exercises and common reflections, and it features specific and practical examples such as scenarios of (anonymised) cases. 

For whom? 
The course is an excellent start or refresher to anyone interested in restorative justice, It is especially recommended for policy makers, managers, and full-time workers (social workers, community activists, teachers, psychologists,  police, prosecutors, judges and prison officers) and volunteers who wish to implement restorative justice.  The concepts and skills have relevance for people working in the criminal justice system, in schools, workplaces, healthcare settings, community and other organisations.

How? 
The course takes place online (via Zoom) and it is delivered in English by Maartje Berger & Monique van der Zouw, EFRJ registered trainers. 

Participants of the course will receive course materials and get access to the a number of additional pre-recorded video presentations that invite them to learn about specialised topics related to restorative justice. These resources will remain available for them even after the end of the course and they can watch them according to their own interests and in their own pace. 

Minimum recommended bandwidth is 1.5Mbps/1.5Mbps (up and downloading speed). You can check your internet speed here for example. You can read more about system requirements for using Zoom here.

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Participation fees

When you register for this course, you will get a 25% discount code to participate in the Introduction to Restorative Justice Responses to Serious Harm course (you will need to register for that separately. Use the code to get the discount when you register. 

Members get 20% reduction of all fees. If you are a member of the EFRJ and want to subscribe for this course please contact Bálint Juhász to get your discount code. 

Is the participation fee a barrier for you to participate?  We can offer a limited number of partial or full waivers of the fee. If you would like apply for that please contact Bálint Juhász and explain your situation in an email in an email until the latest 22nd March 2021. 

  Early bird fee
(until 28 March)
Full price
Only in this course for non-members
(+ Insight Talks) 
160 € 190 €
Only in this course for members 
(+ Insight Talks) 
128 € 152 €
In both introduction courses in Spring 2021 for non-members 
(+ Insight Talks) 
280 € 320 €
In both introduction courses in Spring 2021 for members 
(+ Insight Talks) 
224 € 256 €

Objectives

Participants will…

  • be able to enable people in the countries where they work to understand what restorative justice means.  
  • be able to understand restorative justice within the boundaries of fundamental safeguards determined in international policy documents and in the national legislation.
  • understand that the principles of good restorative practices are value-led and informed by research evidence.
  • understand the choices that must be made in relation to participants and processes to deliver successful restorative outcomes.

Covered Topics

  • Definitions and purpose
  • Values and principles of practice
  • Areas where restorative justice can be applied within and beyond criminal justice settings
  • Engaging participants in restorative processes
  • Preparing participants to participate in restorative processes
  • Facilitating Victim Offender Mediation
  • Facilitating Restorative Circles
  • Facilitating Restorative Conferences
  • Support and accountability for agreed action plan
Maartje and Monique

Trainers

Maartje Berger & Monique van der Zouw

Maartje Berger is an independent mediator in penal cases (MfN registration), neighbourhood mediator, legal advisor children rights (Jeugdrechtmediator) and a member of a complaints committee of a youth care organisation. As a trainer for Defence for Children and the Restorative Justice Academy (RJA) she offers trainings on youth justice, restorative justice, mediation and human rights. During her trainings to lawyers, policymakers, care takers, probation officers and students, participants experience to gain more insight in basic principles, practical challenges and what is needed to get the best out of their daily practice. 
Furthermore Maartje advocates at national and EU level for restorative justice, improving justice systems and advocating for alternatives to (police) custody and deprivation of liberty. She has published articles on restorative justice, alternatives for detention and the impact of police custody in youth justice cases. Maartje worked with a broad team of European NGO’s in the ‘’My Lawyer. My Rights programme’’ and is currently working on the ‘’FOCUS on my Needs’’ programme with Terre des Hommes. 

Monique van der Zouw is for almost 35 years working as a lawyer in family and penal cases in The Netherlands. She is also for more than 8 years employable as a substitute judge in the court of Rotterdam. She has also been working as an independent mediator in penal cases (MfN registration) and did mediations in this area also in cases of severe violence. Working in the field of Restorative Justice she finds the perfect way of combining studying Penal Law and Criminology as well. She published several articles on case studies for mediators. Monique offers training on juvenile justice and restorative justice and mediation mostly for lawyers, but also for judges and students.
During her trainings participants experience to gain more insight in basic principles, practical challenges and what is needed to get the best out of their daily practice.
Working with numerous clients over the years Monique is convinced that the possibilities and chances restorative justice offers are much more positive and promising than the classical justice system. As a trainer for the Restorative Justice Academy. Monique also trains lawyers, mediators probation officers and other justice professionals aiming to raise awareness and improve skills. During training sessions Monique combines legal knowledge and mediator skills with Dutch practises and numerous case studies.

Understand that and how restorative justice can be a good working  alternative for punishing and a framework for resolving conflict and identifying harm.

EFRJ Spring Courses 2021

Programme