In many jurisdictions, justice systems are failing to protect children, to respond to their needs and to defend their rights. Still, in the recent years many innovative and creative practices have been developed to encourage children to voice their needs and be aware of their rights, within and beyond the justice system.
Also the restorative justice community proposes new practices. Some practitioners are dedicated to promoting restorative-oriented school systems, encouraging the whole school community (e.g. teachers, administrative staff, parents, students) to adopt restorative-minded actions and initiatives. Others propose creative ways to encourage children involved in the justice system (i.e. those responsible for the harm and victims) to tell their stories and find ways to move forward, for example by using toys and images in their restorative justice processes. Others, again, proposed instruments to stimulate reflections and discussion with children about conflict and violence, in their family, school, community or other settings.
Among others, in the past years, we gave visibility to the restorative justice practices of “Working with images” (by victim-offender mediators Bie Vanseveren and Lynn Gastmans, Belgium), the board game for children and adults "Journey to discover the other" (by artist, Jesuit priest and RJ facilitator Guido Bertagna, Italy), and the fairy tales for children "Three stories about Fairy G." (by Prof. Grazia Mannozzi, director of CeSGReM at University of Insubria, Italy).
With this webinar, we wish to know more about the books “Wally & Freya” (Lindsey Pointer, USA) and “Stop Fighting” (Roberta Cifariello, Italy/ Germany). Both books can serve as auxiliary materials for mediators, youth workers, teachers, parents, counsellors, legal professionals, and any one working with children and/or families. They are also useful for the many children who experience bullying and/or their parents’ separation.
