Restorative Justice Week 2008

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to announce the theme, “Fostering a Restorative Worldview”, for Restorative Justice Week 2008, which will be held November 16-23, 2008. We have seen restorative justice gain greater acceptance and become a valid choice when dealing with conflict in the world. Restorative justice is about repairing the harm done to relationships caused by conflict with the law, within schools, families and communities.Restorative justice is about giving all parties involved in a conflict the opportunity to take an active role in a safe and respectful process that allows open dialogue between the victim, offender and the community. For offenders, it is about taking responsibility and being held accountable for the harm caused. For victims, it provides an opportunity to talk about the harm caused and ask questions that may be necessary as a part of the healing process. For communities surrounding the victim and offender, it provides an understanding of the root causes of the conflict.

In the past, we have seen a rise in programs that promote dialogue and direct communication when dealing with conflict involving race, status/class, bullying and other social issues. Most programs target youth; however, over the past few years, some have targeted adults. For example:

a) In January, an Irish parliamentary committee recommended that existing restorative justice programs (in Tallaght and Nenagh) for adult offenders be given greater State support because of their value; and

b) Central Virginia Restorative Justice has expanded their existing youth program to serve victims, community members and offenders in adult court in a way that mirrors successes with their youth program.

This significant change marks the court’s increased confidence in the value of restorative processes.

During the last year, Canada established a National Youth Writing Contest and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to provide a voice for thousands of Aboriginal people who experienced harm by the residential school program.

In 2007, over 160 cities proclaimed Restorative Justice Week. In addition, more educational institutions are exploring restorative jusitce approaches and training as a valuable tool in dealing with student conflict and bullying.

I would like to encourage you to write stories about how your community has fostered a restorative worldview and submit them to GEN-NHQRestorative@CSC-SCC.GC.CA.

For further information, please contact Carol-Anne Grenier, Restorative Justice Division at (613) 943-5049 or by e-mail: GrenierCA@csc-scc.gc.ca or Michelle Landry, Chaplaincy at (613) 995-8366 or by email: LandryMI@csc-scc.gc.ca.

Terry Richardson
Director General
Chaplaincy, Restorative Justice, and Victim Services Branch