Editorial: Shaping the Future of Restorative Justice

Dear members, old and new friends,

Pamplona and Leuven, two distinct cities in different countries, share a profound connection through their engagement with restorative justice. While Leuven hosted the first EFRJ Winter Academy, serving as a catalyst for learning, collaboration and the exchange of practices, Pamplona eagerly awaits the upcoming 12th International EFRJ Seminar in Pamplona while celebrating the recent approval of the new Ley Foral of restorative justice, mediation, and community restorative practices.

Both events stand as powerful demonstrations of the global reach and impact of restorative justice, bringing together practitioners, experts, policy makers and enthusiasts from diverse backgrounds and cultures. As we transition from the enriching experiences in Leuven to the anticipation of the Seminar in Pamplona, we recognise the interconnectedness of these gatherings, fostering a sense of community, knowledge sharing and collective commitment to advancing restorative justice.

This Newsletter aims to summarise the main highlights from the Winter Academy in Leuven and anticipate the key elements of the upcoming seminar in Pamplona, hoping to serve as an inspiration and motivation to all readers. As in the previous Newsletter, in order to make the information accessible to a wider public, the Editorial Committee attempts whenever possible to provide articles not only in English; for this edition, some of the pieces are also available in Dutch (through an external publication) and Spanish.

Leuven, a city known for its rich history and commitment to restorative justice, provided an ideal backdrop for the first Winter Academy organised by the EFRJ. The positive atmosphere, combined with the plenary dialogues and common learning activities, created a sense of community and collaboration that enriched the learning experience for all participants.

Through practice-oriented workshops, field trips and shared experiences, participants from around the world deepened their understanding of sensitive and complex cases, victim-centred approaches and restorative practices in educational and institutional settings. In this Newsletter you will find three articles written by participants of the Winter Academy which reflect their experiences and thoughts during and after the event: Hanne Dehertog, one of the working group trainers, Ellen Valkenborgs, a mediator from Alba and Elena Lindholm Belloso, an EFRJ intern.

Looking ahead to the seminar in Pamplona ‘Policy matters in restorative justice’, the restorative justice community eagerly anticipates the insights, discussions and opportunities that lie ahead. With the approval of the new Ley Foral of restorative justice, mediation and community restorative practices, Navarra has emerged as a pioneering region in Spain and Europe. This legislation establishes Navarra as a beacon of restorative justice, positioning Pamplona at the centre of one of this year's main European restorative justice events. The upcoming seminar will bring together experts, policymakers and practitioners to explore the changing landscape of restorative justice, share best practices and shape the future of the field. If the ‘10 Good Reasons to Attend the EFRJ Seminar in Pamplona!’ were not enough for you, you will find further information and an incentive in this Newsletter, as we have collected three inspiring interviews with local professionals. Renata Soares Ramos Falcão and Pablo Romero Seseña interviewed Eduardo Santos (Minister of Migration Policies and Justice of the Government of Navarra since 2019), Jorge Ollero Perán (Director of the Restorative Justice Service of Navarra) and Maite Virto (Coordinator of the Restorative Justice Service of Navarra).

Through continued knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration, these events serve as catalysts for promoting a more just and inclusive society. By harnessing the collective knowledge, experiences and dedication of practitioners, policymakers and experts, restorative justice can play an integral role in addressing harm, fostering healing and building resilient communities. The transformative potential of these events holds the promise of a brighter future, where restorative justice principles guide our collective approach to justice and reconciliation.

We wish you a pleasant read and we are always happy to receive any kind of feedback from you!

With our best regards,

Emily Molinari
Assistant Coordinator of the International Peace Bureau (IPB)
Binational Master’s student, ‘Conflict, Memory and Peace’
emilymolinari96@gmail.com

Renata Soares Ramos Falcão
Communication Intern
European Forum for Restorative Justice
Master’s student in Criminology (KU Leuven)
renata.soaresramosfalcao@student.kuleuven.be

Published on 12 June 2023.