Restorative Justice Responses in Dark Times – Transforming Division into Dialogue

As we near the close of a very difficult 2024, the Editorial Committee of the EFRJ has chosen to dedicate this final newsletter to the theme Just Times: Restorative Justice Responses in Dark Times, inspired by the EFRJ 12th International Conference held in Tallinn this past May.

The conference — and now this newsletter — reflects on the critical role restorative justice can play in addressing not only interpersonal conflicts, but also the far-reaching impacts of large-scale violence, systemic oppression, polarisation and war. These ‘dark times’ test the very foundations of peace, justice and democracy, threatening to erode the social fabric of communities worldwide.

While restorative justice is often associated with transforming criminal justice systems, it also has the potential to reshape societies by addressing the structural and systemic dynamics that perpetuate violence and injustice. Of course, it is also important to highlight that restorative justice is deeply contextual and its success depends on the unique social dynamics and relationships within each community. The articles in this edition demonstrate indeed the power of restorative justice in diverse, often challenging, contexts and offer lessons on how empathy, dialogue, and reconciliation can illuminate a path forward — even when hope feels distant.

In this issue, you will find a rich collection of testimonies and practices from experts, activists and practitioners who are working to bring about peace and justice in some of the most difficult conditions. These stories illustrate how restorative justice can foster resilience and transformation across different contexts, cultures and conflicts.

Where possible, we have included translations into other languages to make these important reflections and practices more accessible to a wider audience.

• An Interview with Camilo Eduardo Umaña Hernández, former Vice Minister of Justice in Colombia (also available in Spanish), highlights the Colombian peace process and the importance of restorative justice in addressing the legacy of armed conflict and building a more inclusive society.
• ‘The Power of Our Pain: Lessons from the Parents Circle’ by Shiri Ourian, Executive Director of the American Friends of the Parents Circle Families Forum, which was previously featured in the recent Restorative Justice Week magazine ‘The Promise of Restorative Justice in a Polarising World,’ delves into how bereaved families from Israel and Palestine have chosen reconciliation over revenge, offering a powerful example of empathy in the face of profound loss.
• When Enemies Make Peace (also available in Italian) introduces us to Rondine Cittadella della Pace, an innovative peace initiative based in Tuscany, Italy. The organisation works with young people from conflict zones, helping them to transform their perception of the ‘enemy’ through daily life in the World House, a unique project that fosters dialogue, mutual understanding and leadership for peace.
• ‘Systemic Violence: Large-Scale Conflict Hiding in Plain Sight’ by James Belt, founder of the Haywood Burns Institute (English), examines the often overlooked systemic violence embedded within institutions and communities in the United States, offering insights into how restorative practices can address these hidden forms of conflict.

What unites these diverse stories is the recognition that even in the darkest of times, restorative justice provides a way to transform division into dialogue, pain into action and despair into hope. From Colombia to Israel-Palestine, from Italy to the United States, each contribution underscores the universal potential of restorative justice to rebuild fractured communities and cultivate a culture of peace. We hope that these stories will inspire you to keep exploring how restorative justice can be a force for change — not only within our justice systems but in our societies as a whole.

Claudia Christen-Schneider is the President of the Swiss RJ Forum and Board Member of the EFRJ, She holds an MSc in Criminology & Criminal Justice.

Contact: swissrjforum@gmail.com

Emily Molinari is the Deputy Executive Director International Peace Bureau (IPB). She holds an MA in Conflict, Memory and Peace. 

Contact: emily.molinari@ipb-office.berlin