Restorative language beyond borders

This training course will focus on innovative practices for encouraging dialogue between people who have been harmed and who perpetrated harm in cases when verbal communication can be difficult (e.g. with children, with migrants, with people with communication disorders). This topic is relevant for ensuring that every person in Europe has the right of access to restorative justice services, in any criminal case and at any stage of the criminal procedures, and independently on possible language and communication barriers. 

The training course will include presentations and practical and interactive exercises focusing on the preparatory meetings, as well as the facilitation of a restorative justice process using innovative methods such as working with images, storytelling, etc. 

It will provide a safe and inspiring space for participants to gain additional knowledge and, where relevant, to practice advanced skills that will bring benefit to anyone who has been affected by a crime or conflict.

The group will have a maximum of 25 participants with an interest in innovative restorative justice practices (e.g. mediators, victim support officers, criminal justice professionals, social workers, educators, psychologists, art therapists, service managers, project coordinators, policymakers, researchers, trainers) coming from different countries in Europe and beyond. Participants are expected to have knowledge about restorative justice theories and/or practices and a good level of English.