Building Capacity for Restorative Practices

Our communities need opportunities to process the personal and collective impact of emotionally charged events. From the effects of the pandemic and natural disasters to racism and sexual abuse to political or ethnic divides, we seek healthy forums in which to express feelings and truly hear one another.  

Restorative practices provide a transformative framework to examine the language of conflict; to transform conflict stories; to respond to intense emotions – including techniques for handling anger, fear, grief, guilt and shame; to elicit interests; to collaboratively negotiate agreements, to caucus; to resolve cross-cultural conflicts; and to advance ethics and values.  

Incidents of conflict, wrongdoing and harm occur throughout society. The restorative justice conference provides a template to engage with those who cause and experience harm, along with their respective Communities of Care. The goal is to successfully bring together those impacted by harm, to resolve the conflict on a long term/permanent as opposed to a short term/temporary way.