Planets (bubbles in a paperweight) by Rolf Dietrich Brecher on flickr.com

The Reforming Potential of Restorative Practice

Webinar with David B Moore and Alikki Vernon (Australia), moderated by Kerry Clamp (UK)

Online, Monday, 7th of October 2024,  11:00-12:30 (CEST)

Some months ago, in Tallinn, the European Forum for Restorative Justice hosted its 12th international conference entitled “Restorative Justice in Dark Times”. Some of the reflections and discussions focused on how restorative justice, often used to respond to interpersonal conflicts and challenge retributive-oriented justice systems, can serve also to transform structural and societal dynamics that feed large-scale conflicts and violence and instances of hate and polarisation.

With this webinar, we wish to continue the discussion on the broader reforming potential of restorative practices, not only for healing harm at the individual and community levels, but also for encouraging institutional reforms and innovative social transformations. Such a discussion is key to move forward with the promise of the restorative justice movement to go beyond the criminal justice sphere and create a cultural change in the way our societies address and respond to harm and injustice in all settings.

Date

Start
End

Details

Click on "subscribe" to register (for free) and receive the Zoom link prior to the event.

The 90-min webinar will start at 11:00 CET (Brussels time). To adapt the hours to your own time zone, you can use this tool.

Our invited guests come from far away, not only geographically but also in their multidisciplinary experiences, to share theoretical frameworks and models that can inform practices, develop skills and improve systems. David B Moore and Alikki Vernon (based in Australia, and active members of the network organisation Australian Association for Restorative Justice) are “pracademics” deeply connected to practice and training in restorative practice, and they work as restorative facilitators and innovators promoting a wider cultural change to embed restorative practices in today’s societies. This session presents key ideas from their co-authored new book, “Setting Relations Right in Restorative Practice” (2024), the inaugural text in the Routledge series “Contemporary Issues in Restorative Practice” (edited by Kerry Clamp, UK). 

This webinar will be the perfect moment for restorative practitioners and facilitators, researchers and students, service directors, programme designers and social innovators, policymakers, community leaders and many other interested professionals to engage in an interactive discussion on how restorative practice responds to complex and serious harm and facilitates reforms within institutions. 

The discussions may serve as a source of inspiration for the strategic development of the EFRJ, as the Board and Secretariat are currently working on the multiannual priorities and activities of the organisation for the years 2026-2030. 

"At this time when representative democracies are succumbing to polarisation,
with slogans proposing simplistic answers to complex social challenges,
lessons from restorative practice can also support democratic healing across multiple levels of government."
-
David B Moore & Alikki Vernon
Webinar poster "The reforming potential of restorative practice"

Guest speakers

David B Moore (Australia) is an independent consultant and academic, supporting individuals to communicate constructively and organisations to change adaptively. David was involved in pioneering restorative reforms in Australia, North America, the UK, and Norway. His early work inspired David Williamson’s “Jack Manning Trilogy” of plays, including “A Conversation” (that was filmed in 2017 by the EFRJ) and “Face to Face”, made into an award-winning 2011 movie by Director Michael Rymer. David has taught in politics, history, law, and peace and conflict studies in different Australian universities. He is a founding member and current president of the Australian Association for Restorative Justice, and currently a principal external advisor to redress schemes and regional service reform projects.

Alikki Vernon (Australia) has worked in conflict management and restorative practice for over 25 years. She provides technical support for program development and service-delivery in justice, health, education, and community contexts, including facilitating, and mentoring, and supervising colleagues in government and community agencies that respond to institutional abuse and family violence. Alikki coordinated the Conflict Management Programs at La Trobe University for over a decade. Her doctorate is on the use of restorative processes in mental health systems. She now focuses her skills development work on training in restorative practice and coordinating Communities of Practice for the Australian Association for Restorative Practice.

Kerry Clamp (UK) is an Associate Professor of Criminology at the University of Nottingham. Her research explores the use of restorative justice in transitional justice and policing. She is commissioning editor for Contemporary Issues in Restorative Practice (Routledge), a book series bridging academia and practice by showcasing practitioner insights and advancing restorative theory. Kerry has been the chair of the EFRJ Editorial Committee for over 10 years (until 2018).

Practicalities & registrations

This event is free of charge, but registration is compulsory: click on "subscribe" to register.

The webinar will be hosted on the Zoom platform. Registered participants will receive the Zoom link prior to the event.

To avoid any unexpected technical difficulties you may run this Zoom test in advance. If needed, find here the link to download the Zoom application on your computer or mobile phone.

The 90-min webinar will start at 11:00 CET (Brussels time). You can login a few minutes before. To adapt the hours to your own time zone you can use this tool.

The event will be in English. Once in the Zoom meeting room, you may enable automated captions to follow the presentations and conversations with automated English subtitles. These may not be fully accurate, but may support your language accessibility needs. 

Photo credits: Planets by Rolf Dietrich Brecher on flickr.com