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Hull made the choice to begin increasing the quality of life for residents and members of the community. They trained 25,000 people who work with young people, from schools to community centers to law enforcement agencies, across the city to change things for the next generation and create a restorative city.
Recalling the parable of the persistent widow who implored a judge every day to “render a just decision for me,” the pope said, the judges, too, are called to listen “to the cry of those who have no voice and suffer injustice” so that the power they receive with their mandate is always used to serve “in favor of the dignity of the human person and the common good.”
“The people demand justice, and justice needs truth, trust, devotion and purity of purpose,” he said.
However, there also needs to be a “culture of restorative justice” fostered in every society, because restorative justice is “the only and true antidote to revenge” and disregard, he said.
Abstract
Restorative justice has long been positioned as a justice mechanism that prioritises emotion and its expression. It is also unique in its ritual elements, such as the ritualized expression of anger and the symbolic exchange of apology and forgiveness.
This paper draws on insights from research and practice in restorative justice and recent developments in criminology/legal theory and the philosophy of justice to suggest some ways that the broader criminal justice landscape can incorporate elements of successful restorative justice rituals into its practice. I argue that the unique elements of restorative justice- its ability to harness anger into a deliberative ritual for victims and offenders, its focus on symbolic reparations, and its ability to engender a form of forward-looking forgiveness that promotes civility can provide a framework for rethinking how criminal justice institutions operate.
'Two of our speakers examine the progress in restorative cities.
Grazia Mannozzi is professor of “Criminal Law” and of “Restorative Justice and Victim-offender Mediation” at the University of Insubria (Como – Italy).
Chris Straker is co-founder of the Hull Centre for Restorative Practice in 2007. During his leadership there, The Hull Centre became known nationally as ‘progressive’ in restorative practice and its application across agencies working with families and young people.'
'Giovanni Grandi is a professor of moral philosophy at the University of Trieste. As he is currently working on a book: he had planned to spend period in retreat, but not exactly in the way as it is happening right now… What do you think a restorative culture can do, once the pandemic will be soothed? What could be helpful steps or attitude at that point? The good use of words is one of the main issues in restorative practices, and I think this could be an important resource, still in this period, that is characterised – this is my impression, of course – by a distortion of narratives. I mean: on one side, on social-media, we can notice a huge amount of “story-telling” about ordinary life during pandemic. Generally, we find here good narratives. People prefer not to show their pain, and when they do it, very often I notice also a resentment towards other people who continue saying “it will be all right” (“#andràtuttobene” was an unfortunate hashtag in Italy during the very beginning of the troubles). On the other side, in public speaking we can observe a strong use of heavy metaphors: the one of “war” first of all, Covid-19 as “enemy”… I’m not so sure that this is a good choice in language: in Italy also countries that seem to not “fight” with us against the pandemic quickly became “enemies” (particularly in the narrative of some politicians). I mean we have to learn how to use proper words, moreover how to tell publicly the suffering that affected a great part of the population, with respect and without rhetoric, in order to share feelings deeply and to transform suffering not into revenge but into a new power to build positive things, particularly as European citizens. The European Forum has a great challenge, but has a great experience that will be very precious!'
'Annemieke is the Vice-Chair of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ), mediator and a children’s rights consultant, working for Restorative Justice Netherlands and living in Utrecht with her family. We were interested to ask her about what difficulties the current crisis means for children and young people, as they are often even in a more vulnerable situation in times of social change. In our discussion Annemieke also reflected on what the EFRJ can during the crisis, and we asked her as well about the situation in the Netherlands. The interviews is a part of the #SolidarityOverDistance updates. ... What is the impact of the crisis on your work? It makes me think - with many others in the field - on how we can use restorative approaches in times of crises. How we can connect in different ways and provide support for vulnerable persons and those in need. And how can we cope with a pandemic crises this big, that takes so many people’s lives, something we have never experienced before.'
'Towards a restorative environmental justice practice This video message is launched on the occasion of the International Restorative Justice Week 2019 (#RJWeek). The video introduces the new publication of the European Forum for Restorative Justice on restorative environmental justice. In the video Brunilda Pali, Board member of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, explains how restorative justice can applied when seeking environmental justice.'
'This video message is launched on the occasion of the International Restorative Justice Week 2019 (#rjweek), together with a series of other videos responding to the question "Why Restorative Justice Matters?". Edit Törzs, Executive Director of the European Forum for Restorative Justice, explains why RJ matters in Europe.'
'The trailer for our movie about the Restorative Circles is ready! We want to give you an insight into our wonderful film about a systemic conflict resolution model, the Restorative Circles. Our vision of this film is that you as a viewer experience the magical moments of discovering common human values. You will learn in our film what it pays to learn from conflicts in this way. (Google translation from German; English sub-titles are on the video)'
Restorative Justice does not happen overnight. A Restorative Justice facilitator meets both parties before arranging a meeting, only if it is safe to do so.
Upcoming conference in November in Northern Ireland - celebrating 25 years of the Restorative Practices Forum!
The third international seminar of the Global Criminology Network will take place next week at KU Leuven with contributions from several of our members.
Last week to register with the early rate to the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) World Conference (Bethlehem, 21-23 October). This event, including plenaries, breakout sessions and networking opportunities, will feature efforts to lead positive change that bring people together, explore needs, build trust and encourage creative collaboration.
'This year’s IJRJ lecture will be on “The Indecent Demands of Accountability for Young People in Restorative Justice” by Dr William R. Wood (School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Griffith University, Australia). It will be introduced by EFRJ founder Ivo Aertsen (editor-in chief) and chaired by Estelle Zinsstag (managing editor).'