A powerful, user-friendly environment for you to host an event in your part of the world – RJ World Local.
Now that you’ve experienced RJ World, have you thought about creating your own inspirational event? RJ World Local is built by RJ people for RJ people. It’s a solution for organisations, state and national gatherings and school districts to run specialised events, seminars and conferences.
Inspire, train, invigorate, collaborate: A summit for for academic and policy leaders? A conference on trauma-informed RJ? An RP seminar for school district parents and staff? Bring together international leaders on a theme?A gathering of criminal justice stakeholders?
What’s your great idea? Let’s make it happen!
Powerful event management
Facebook style posting, sharing and messaging
Integration with Zoom, Vimeo and Youtube
Rapid scheduling and program management
Simple registration and ticketing options
From 50 to 500 delegates
Assistance with branding and graphics
It’s easy to learn the admin features and we can help you
Check out the brochure to see features, ideas and pricing.
Thank you so much for this incredible offering. I feel affirmed, energized, encouraged and inspired. RJ around the world is happening, yahoo! – Laura Dafoe
I really loved seeing some huge names in such an intimate setting… So many can’t afford to travel or pay exorbitant registration fees… if we think of information as power it’s a real game changer. – Jane Bolitho, Australia
The quality and variety of speakers was sensational . I also appreciated that I could leave feedback on a presenter’s wall and read the feedback of others. It has been an amazing 10 days and my head is swirling with ideas but almost as important my soul has been fed. – Jane Langley
An amazing eConference, with a great variety of speakers. It was a most enriching experience – Upneet Lalli, India
This was a space for people in different parts of the world to connect with restorative practitioners and academics of all levels of experience, including many people whose work I have deeply admired but never got a chance to engage with before. – Arti Mohan, India
In today’s fast-paced education system, restorative practices (RP) are becoming increasingly important as a way to address conflicts and build positive relationships in schools. However, implementing RP effectively requires ongoing professional development and training for administrators, teachers, and staff. Unfortunately, many schools face significant obstacles in organizing professional development opportunities. From lack of time and energy to limited access to experienced trainers, there are numerous challenges that stand in the way of effective RP implementation. This blog will explore the top 7 gaps in RP professional development and how RJ World Local provides a solution for each of these challenges.
Lack of Time and Energy to Organize Professional Development One of the biggest obstacles faced by RP administrators is the lack of time and energy to organize training events. This can include everything from scheduling workshops, to coordinating resources, to ensuring that attendees have what they need to make the most of their training experience. This can make it difficult for administrators to ensure that all staff members receive the training they need to be effective practitioners of RP. How about a solution that streamlines the entire process and makes it easier and faster for administrators to organize large scale learning events?
Inadequate Initial and Ongoing Professional Development Opportunities Another major challenge faced by RP administrators is the limited access to professional development opportunities, both initially and ongoing. This can make it difficult for staff to stay up to date with the latest best practices and research in RP, which is essential for delivering effective and safe programs. How about a solution that provides a centralized platform to streamline professional development and training, accessible from anywhere and anytime?
Limited Access to Experts and Leading-edge Learning. Access to leading minds and RP experts can also be a challenge, as many administrators or event organisers may not have the resources or connections to bring in experts from around the world. This can limit the quality and impact of the training programs, making it difficult for staff to develop the skills they need to be effective RP practitioners. How about a format that enables you to include a experts, trainers, and though leaders in the program?
Training Required in How to Incorporate RP into Existing Curricula and Programs Incorporating RP into existing curricula and programs can also be a challenge, as it requires specialized training and support to effectively implement RP in a way that is meaningful and sustainable. Brings your staff admin team up to speed with a 1 day strategy summit to align goals and practice – with 6 extra days to re-watch sessions and network?
Lack of Understanding or Buy-In Among School Staff on the Importance of RP Getting buy-in from school staff on the importance of RP can also be a challenge, especially for administrators who may be trying to implement RP in an environment where it is not yet widely accepted or understood. How about a seminar that provides evidence-based learning, case studies and workshops to help administrators build buy-in and understanding among staff on the importance of RP?
Limited Opportunities for Peer-to-Peer Learning and Collaboration Opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration can also be limited, especially for RP administrators who may be working in isolated environments with limited resources and support. How about an online conference that provides a platform for peer-to-peer learning, collaboration, and support, bringing together experience local specialist with staff?
Emergence of Skills Deficit in Trauma Awareness and Special Needs The emergence of skills deficit in trauma awareness and special needs is a growing challenge, as more RP programs are being implemented in schools and communities with a high need for trauma-informed care. Plan a large scale training and support with speakers and presentations specifically focused on integrating RP with trauma awareness and special needs educators, equipping staff with the skills they need?
The solution
Thankfully, RJ World Local provides a solution to these challenges. The platform is designed specifically for educational administrators and local organisations, offering a suite of tools and resources to help them streamline and optimize their professional development efforts. Whether you have experience as an event manager or just starting out, RJ World Local has everything you need to ensure your staff receive the training they need to be effective practitioners of RP.
One of the key features of RJ World Local is its powerful event management tools. The platform provides a one-stop shop for organizing and coordinating events, including everything from scheduling workshops and coordinating resources, to ensuring attendees have what they need to make the most of their training experience. With RJ World Local, administrators can streamline the process of organizing professional development events, saving time and energy in the process.
Another standout feature of RJ World Local is its social networking capabilities. The platform offers a Facebook-style interface that allows administrators to post updates, share resources, and connect with other RP practitioners. This not only makes it easier for administrators to stay connected with their peers, but it also creates opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and collaboration.
One of the challenges faced by RP administrators is limited access to experienced trainers and facilitators. RJ World Local solves this challenge by providing access to a comprehensive training library, with a wide range of online courses and resources covering everything from trauma-awareness to special needs. The platform also integrates with popular video conferencing tools like Zoom, Vimeo and YouTube, making it possible for administrators to provide professional development opportunities to large groups of staff at the same time, even if they are not in the same physical location.
In conclusion, RJ World Local is a game-changer for local school boards and RP organisations and initiatives. By providing a suite of tools and resources designed specifically for the field, the platform helps administrators overcome the challenges they face when it comes to providing professional development opportunities for their staff. Whether you’re looking to streamline your event management efforts, connect with peers, or provide high-quality training to your staff, RJ World Local has you covered.
If you have any questions or need support using RJ World Local, you can contact us through our website at https://rjworld.org/contact/. Our team is always here to help
The Urgent Need for Professional Development in Restorative Practices: RJ World Local Offers a Solution
Restorative Practices is a rapidly growing field, with more and more schools, organizations, and communities turning to it as a way to repair harm, build relationships, and foster a culture of care. However, despite this growth, there are still many challenges to be faced in order to fully integrate restorative practices into daily life. One of the biggest obstacles is the lack of professional development and training opportunities available to those who are eager to learn and implement these practices.
For busy administrators, rolling out training and professional development programs can be a huge time drain, taking them away from their daily responsibilities. But this is exactly why RJ World Local is such a game-changer. This user-friendly platform offers a one-stop-shop for restorative justice events and conferences, making it easy for organizations, schools, and community groups to host their own inspirational events, seminars, and conferences.
RJ World Local is built by restorative justice people for restorative justice people, with a range of powerful features designed to streamline the event planning process. From an intuitive user interface that makes it easy to set up and run events, to a powerful network that allows attendees to connect and collaborate, RJ World Local is the solution that restorative justice professionals have been waiting for.
One of the key benefits of RJ World Local is its accessibility. No longer do you have to worry about the time and energy required to roll out training and professional development programs – RJ World Local makes it easy. With its user-friendly environment, you can host your own event right from the comfort of your own home or office.
Another major benefit of RJ World Local is its ability to foster collaboration and peer-to-peer learning. Whether you’re looking to bring together academic and policy leaders, host a conference on trauma-informed restorative justice, or provide training for school district parents and staff, RJ World Local makes it easy to connect with like-minded professionals from around the world.
In addition to the time and energy savings, RJ World Local also offers many features to support organizations and schools in their efforts to incorporate restorative practices. The platform offers powerful event management, Facebook-style posting and messaging, integration with Zoom, Vimeo, and Youtube, rapid scheduling and program management, and simple registration and ticketing options. With RJ World Local, organizations and schools can host events with 50 to 500 delegates and receive assistance with branding and graphics.
RJ World Local is also user-friendly and easy to learn, with a user-friendly interface and comprehensive help and support available. This makes it easy for administrators to host and manage events, without having to become experts in event management software.
In conclusion, RJ World Local provides a powerful solution to the challenges faced by organizations and schools in incorporating restorative practices. With professional development and training opportunities, and a range of features to support event management, RJ World Local is a time-saving and user-friendly platform for schools and organizations looking to provide restorative practices training to their staff and stakeholders.
Summary
Lack of access to professional development opportunities in restorative practices
RJ World Local provides an easy and convenient solution for organizations and school districts
Features include: powerful event management, Facebook-style messaging and sharing, integration with video conferencing tools, simple registration and ticketing options, and branding and graphics assistance
Offers the ability to host events with up to 500 delegates
Easy to learn administrative features with support available.
FAQ
What is RJ World Local? RJ World Local is a platform designed for organizations, schools, and gatherings to host their own events and conferences focused on restorative practices.
Who can use RJ World Local? RJ World Local is built for anyone who wants to host an event related to restorative practices, including organizations, academic and policy leaders, schools, criminal justice stakeholders, and more.
What features does RJ World Local offer? Some of the key features of RJ World Local include powerful event management, integration with popular video conferencing tools, simple registration and ticketing options, branding and graphics assistance, and more.
How many attendees can RJ World Local handle? RJ World Local can accommodate events with anywhere from 50 to 500 attendees.
Is RJ World Local easy to use? Yes, RJ World Local has user-friendly features that are easy to learn, and the platform provides assistance to help users get started.
Can I customize my event on RJ World Local? Yes, RJ World Local offers options for branding and graphics, and users can also utilize Facebook-style posting, sharing, and messaging features to personalize their events.
How does RJ World Local integrate with video conferencing tools? RJ World Local integrates with popular video conferencing tools like Zoom, Vimeo, and YouTube, making it easy to host virtual events.
Is there support available for using RJ World Local? Yes, RJ World Local offers assistance to help users get started with the platform, and provides support for any questions or issues that may arise.
The international restorative justice community has embrace the opportunity to connect and facilitate professional development through an online platform. The major RJ organisations have partnered with RJ World to help build amazing gatherings for hundreds of practitioners, academics, and pioneers. With so many events, workshops, and conferences, it’s often challenging for administrators to keep up with the latest trends, knowledge and best practices in restorative justice. That’s where RJ World Local comes in. This platform brings this power to local groups on all continents, to host RJ conferences and learning events for people in their state, country or interest group.
Here’s what some of the recent RJ World delegates have to say about their experience with RJ World Local:
Thank you so much for an amazing event! – Joakim Hope Soltveit, Norway
“This was a space for people in different parts of the world to connect with restorative practitioners and academics of all levels of experience, including many people whose work I have deeply admired but never got a chance to engage with before. Despite being a virtual event, the conference created space for dialogue and connection through the comments section and the live sessions. The virtual nature of the event may have rendered it more accessible owing to the reduced investments needed by participants in terms of travel, finances, and time. Participants could engage with captivating speakers from the comfort and safety of their own homes/offices.” – Arti Mohan, India
The format was fantastic – I’m in Australia so a very different time zone to most. I really appreciated the opportunity to engage with so much of the content without having to get up in the middle of the night. – Lucy Evans, Australia
I really loved seeing some huge names in such an intimate setting… So many can’t afford to travel or pay exorbitant registration fees… if we think of information as power it’s a real game changer – Jane Bolitho, Australia
Thank you so much for this incredible offering. I feel affirmed, energized, encouraged and inspired. RJ around the world is happening, yahoo! – Laura Dafoe
It brought together world experts on a topic that really needs more air time within the general public. I think if these experts from different countries can unite to share information and work together constructively, it is much more powerful and in effect would help spread the word on RJ more rapidly throughout the globe. – Ailbhe Griffith
I think this has changed the face of international and probably national conferences! – Marg Thorsborne
Brilliant inspirational content. Spent the week fitting my life around all the powerful speakers. So much to take away. – Pamela Dillon
RJ world is a global RJ village, with a compendium of knowledge. It should be an annual event. – Professor Don John Omale
It was an amazing experience! – Dr Sandra Pavelka
I can’t say enough to express how well organized and truly informative I found this conference. I watched every presentation… a widespread topic base, professionally presented, informative beyond any conference I’ve ever attended… Thank you for organizing it, I can’t believe how rejuvenated I feel and how much I’m taking away from this event. – Kristine Atkinson
I have learnt so much, my understanding and practice has definitely developed exponentially as a result. It was an amazing and very impactful experience, thank you! – Molly Macleod
I really like the variety this type of format. It gives so many voices the opportunity to be heard. – Mark Rutledge
It was wonderful to have so many presenters in RJ world and because it was virtual it had it’s own advantage. – Urvashi Tilak
I made wonderful connections with other speakers and met two people… that I have since Zoomed with so I am thrilled to have met new colleagues. I would love to do it all again. Thanks so much! – Leaf Seligman, Canada
The quality and variety of speakers was sensational . I also appreciated that I could leave feedback on a presenter’s wall and read the feedback of others. The Chat Wall was almost like the chat over a cuppa at the break at a conference where important reflection time, sharing – and connecting with others occurs. It has been an amazing 10 days and my head is swirling with ideas but almost as important my soul has been fed. – Jane Langley
An amazing eConference, with a great variety of speakers. It was a most enriching experience – Upneet Lalli, India
The RJ World Local platform offers a variety of features that make it a game-changer for the restorative justice community. The platform is mobile-friendly and accessible from anywhere, at any time. The social media-style environment is familiar and free from distractions, making it easy for attendees to connect and network with others. The platform also integrates with Zoom, Youtube, and Vimeo for video conferencing and pre-recorded presentations. Automated reminders and notifications help attendees stay organized and on top of their schedule.
The platform also allows for the upload and embedding of various types of content, including PDFs, audio files, videos, and forms.
In addition to these features, RJ World Local also offers powerful event management capabilities for hosts. The platform makes scheduling and program management simple, with easy registration and ticketing options. And with the ability to integrate with Zoom, Vimeo, and Youtube, attendees can enjoy a seamless experience. The platform is also customizable with your branding, making it a perfect representation of your organization.
In conclusion, RJ World Local is a game-changer for the restorative justice community. The platform provides a professional and user-friendly environment for attendees to connect, learn and network with others in the field. With powerful event management capabilities, customizable branding options, and seamless integration with video conferencing services, RJ World Local is a must-have for any restorative justice event organiser looking to inspire and lead and develop their members and affiliates.
To learn more about RJ World Local, visit our website at https://rjworld.org/contact/. We would be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you plan your next event!
RJ World 2020 brought together people from restorative justice and restorative practice initiatives from across the world. Presenters recorded interviews and share them to the eConference website to be viewed throughout the duration of the conference. Delegates interacted via Zoom and online chat.
The 700 delegates have spoken of being re-inspired, challenged, amazed and energised. Here are some of the reflections that have come in.
Thank you so much for an amazing event!
Joakim Hope Soltveit, Norway
The theme that stood out for me through the conference was that restorative work is an expansive continuum. The RJ World 2020 Conference beautifully brought out the multipronged potency of restorative work. The continuum begins with how we relate to ourselves, extends to our relationships, and to transforming systems.
Arti Mohan, India
The format was fantastic – I’m in Australia so a very different time zone to most. I really appreciated the opportunity to engage with so much of the content without having to get up in the middle of the night.
Lucy Evans, Australia
I really loved seeing some huge names in such an intimate setting… So many can’t afford to travel or pay exorbitant registration fees… if we think of information as power it’s a real game changer
Jane Bolitho, Australia
Thank you so much for this incredible offering. I feel affirmed, energized, encouraged and inspired. RJ around the world is happening, yahoo!
Laura Dafoe
The quality and variety of speakers was sensational . I also appreciated that I could leave feedback on a presenter’s wall and read the feedback of others. The Chat Wall was almost like the chat over a cuppa at the break at a conference where important reflection time, sharing – and connecting with others occurs. It has been an amazing 10 days and my head is swirling with ideas but almost as important my soul has been fed.
Jane Langley
An amazing eConference, with a great variety of speakers. It was a most enriching experience
Upneet Lalli, India
Read Arti Mohan’s review of RJWorld 2020 “Reflecting on the Continuum” at the EFRJ blog
“This was a space for people in different parts of the world to connect with restorative practitioners and academics of all levels of experience, including many people whose work I have deeply admired but never got a chance to engage with before.”
“Despite being a virtual event, the conference created space for dialogue and connection through the comments section and the live sessions. The virtual nature of the event may have rendered it more accessible owing to the reduced investments needed by participants in terms of travel, finances, and time. Participants could engage with captivating speakers from the comfort and safety of their own homes/offices.”
It brought together world experts on a topic that really needs more air time within the general public. I think if these experts from different countries can unite to share information and work together constructively, it is much more powerful and in effect would help spread the word on RJ more rapidly throughout the globe.
Ailbhe Griffith
I think this has changed the face of international and probably national conferences!
Marg Thorsborne
Brilliant inspirational content. Spent the week fitting my life around all the powerful speakers. So much to take away.
Pamela Dillon
RJ world is a global RJ village, with a compendium of knowledge. It should be an annual event.
Professor Don John Omale
It was an amazing experience!
Dr Sandra Pavelka
I can’t say enough to express how well organized and truly informative I found this conference. I watched every presentation… a widespread topic base, professionally presented, informative beyond any conference I’ve ever attended… Thank you for organizing it, I can’t believe how rejuvenated I feel and how much I’m taking away from this event.
Kristine Atkinson
I have learnt so much, my understanding and practice has definitely developed exponentially as a result. It was an amazing and very impactful experience, thank you!
Molly Macleod
I really like the variety this type of format. It gives so many voices the opportunity to be heard.
Mark Rutledge
It was wonderful to have so many presenters in RJ world and because it was virtual it had it’s own advantage.
Urvashi Tilak
I made wonderful connections with other speakers and met two people… that I have since Zoomed with so I am thrilled to have met new colleagues. I would love to do it all again. Thanks so much!
Leaf Seligman, Canada
RJ World would like to thank the many co-sponsors who made this groundbreaking event possible.
If you, like me, are struggling to imagine how teaching after the pandemic will look and feel like for both students and staff, you shall not be disappointed by this year’s RJ WORLD conference. No worries- many international speakers are there to give us some support and guidance in our pondering about the “new normal”…
Mark Goodwin, from the UK, will tell us how to reconnect after this experience, the mindset teachers need, and the learning kids can do. And more importantly, the relationships that need to be built (spoiler: restorative relationships). He will equip us with practical tools that “anybody working with young people can take away and use.”
Dr Belinda Hopkins, an author from the UK, will explain how a Whole School Approach can ease the anxiety of “returning to strange new environments facing guidelines that keep people at a distance, hidden behind masks, unable to socialise.” Together with Monika Alberti, she will present a package of resources designed by UK restorative practitioners to support the mental and emotional health of the whole school community at this time of crisis.
Laura Mooiman’s presentation will also be of interest for you. Especially if you are aware that the current pandemic is not the only crises that needed, needs or will need our response. Laura is interested in creating a positive school culture that can face “(…) crises including earthquake, multiple student suicides, Napa wildfires, and student protests.” For her, the PBIS model is the answer, but more of that in her talk…!
At the start of the COVID 19 pandemic, there were clarion calls to fight the war and conquer it. The language of war compels us to fight by putting aside our vulnerabilities. Perhaps, the pandemic need not be seen as war, a call to battle, or even a fight. Maybe, we can move through this difficult time by exhibiting courage of a different kind- the courage that comes from being vulnerable and with showing care and radical kindness.
We need spaces where we can care, where we can express our pain and our struggles and where we can be heard. Restorative circles are one such space.
These circles are a space to speak and listen to one another in an atmosphere of safety and respect. One or two circle facilitators or circle keepers facilitate the process. They ask questions that guide the discussion, but apart from that, participate in equal ways as others in the circle.
The circle offers everyone an opportunity to speak sequentially. While one person is speaking, others offer them the gift of listening without interrupting. Participating in, and sharing in the circle, is always optional, and every participant has the option to engage with the circle process to the extent they’re comfortable. In most circles, we co-create values for ourselves such as confidentiality, respect, listening, no advice etc.
Questions asked during circles are open-ended and related to the purpose and the need of the circle.
Circles can be used in a wide variety of contexts and to address a wide range of needs. I’ve held circles in different spaces – custodial homes for children, protective shelter home for children, for staff of shelter homes, for frontline workers counselling children, during capacity building trainings, while teaching restorative justice in a law university, for my team at my workplace, and for friends and community.
A key element of all restorative circles is creating a safe, non-judgmental place for connection and dialogue. Circles are based on the principle that talking about challenging experiences helps reduce their adverse impact, and the emotional connection with others promotes wellbeing.
Feeling and acknowledging our emotions
Restorative circles create space to reflect on and experience our emotions. Often, in our daily lives, we may not find spaces or the time to think through how we’re feeling. A frontline worker said that circles are unique in allowing people to talk about one’s thoughts and feelings. Another circle participant said that in the circle as they share, they find words for abstract concepts.
“We need to find spaces to feel hurt rather than to spread hurt” – Brene Brown
Circles allow us to feel our emotions, and to tell ourselves that these emotions are valid even if others may be struggling much more than us. The pandemic impacted everyone in varying ways. It brought forth the existing social marginalization and intensified it. In light of the brutal impact on those impacted the worst, many adults in community circles said that they felt guilty allowing themselves to feel their emotions.
By asking specific questions that allow us to talk about our own emotions, despite all that may be going on around us, circles remind us that while we acknowledge other people’s pain, we are entitled to our feelings.
Talking about the unspoken
Circles create a space to share experiences and enable us to talk about the things that we may have wanted to bury and leave unspoken. Kazu Haga, in Healing Resistance, talks about how the strongest act of courage is often vulnerability; it is talking about the things that we are most ashamed about, the things that we feel the most vulnerable about. When we deny our stories, hide from them or pretend they don’t exist, they begin to define us. The pain begins to impact us and others around us. And by talking about the unspoken, it reduces its power over us.
Urvashi Tilak, Restorative Justice Director at Counsel to Secure Justice (CSJ), reflects on circles with a group of women and says that, “It was a safe space for them to talk about their past, their childhood, things they had never spoken about earlier, shared with people they barely knew before the circle. Such was the power of the circle.”
“With skinned knees and bruised hearts; We choose owning our stories of struggle, Over hiding, over hustling, over pretending. When we deny our stories, they define us. So, we turn toward truth and look it in the eye.” Brene Brown
Children in custodial settings have found space to acknowledge their actions for the first time in circle with each other. In a reintegration circle with his family, a child admitted what he’d done to his family without offering any defence, something he hadn’t ever thought he’d do.
In the friends and community circles, adults have often spoken about their deepest fears and about behaviours/personality traits they perceive as their biggest flaws. Circles create space to talk about things that we’ve otherwise chosen to leave unspoken.
“Courage showed me how to open up and talk about the things I’m most ashamed of, being vulnerable. Speaking about true emotions, being vulnerable and showing all of who we are is what takes the most courage.” Kazu Haga, Healing Resistance
Often during circles, children in custodial settings, step away from the strong impenetrable image they’ve created for themselves and share vulnerably about their feelings, including the remorse they feel about their actions. Children in custodial settings have found space in circles to talk about their deepest fears, including being rejected by society and of being stigmatized for life.
Adults have spoken about the fear of losing their loved ones to the pandemic in the frontline worker and community circles. In a community circle where most people were strangers, people spoke about their difficulties with their intimate relationships.
By speaking about our vulnerabilities and what shames us the most, we break down its power over us and work towards our own journey of healing.
The magic of listening
“The experience has been undoubtedly beautiful for me. I never realized how powerful and effective a listening circle could be.” Shivangini, CSJ
Another element at play in circles, apart from the safe space to share, is the gift of listening. Listening is powerful and can help to reduce the intensity of our emotions. Often after people share deeply in circle, they later talk about how much calmer they feel. A frontline worker said that after the circle they felt as if a heavy balloon inside them had burst in the circle, and they felt much lighter after. Another participant in a community circle spoke about her severe emotional distress during the circle and later said that she felt a sense of calm after.
For the listeners as well, listening is an act of kindness towards others which, in turn, is a healing action for oneself. Shivangini Singh, Social Worker at CSJ talks about her experience of holding circles and how “listening to what others have to share has also been so wonderful because you realise how similar our experiences have been somewhere despite different contexts.”
Over the years, facilitating circles helps me feel a deep sense of belonging and connection as I realize that no matter how unique my troubles are, we are all human and all have our struggles, which our often similar. Shivangini puts it beautifully when she says holding and being in circle “brings such a marvellous sense of community and I completely rejoice in the space”.
Building belonging and connection
“In order for connection to happen, we have to allow ourselves to be seen. Really seen. It involves a choice to be vulnerable. To brave judgment and rejection. To overcome shame in a world that teaches us we must somehow be fixed.” Brene Brown
By creating spaces for vulnerability, circles also foster a space for building and deepening connection. At my organization, CSJ, I’ve held circles for the team around different themes, including those specific to listening and connecting. Often, when someone new joins, we invite everyone to share our stories of what brought us to the work we do. After one of our office circles during the pandemic, Prerna Barua, a colleague who recently joined the team virtually, said that the circle helped her feel a sense of connection with the team she’d never met in person.
Circles give us space to come together despite our varying identities and to be seen as our real selves. Urvashi reflects on facilitating circles with women from different social identities and how she initially wondered whether they would share in circle. Within a month, they began to take collective ownership for the circle process, reminding each other to uphold the collective values and guidelines, and began sharing from a place of vulnerability.
When physical distancing began, circles had to adapt to the virtual realm. Initially, I was sceptical about holding virtual circles owing to the lack of physical proximity. Over time, with training from some beautiful mentors (Dr. Frida Rundell and Molly Rowan) and many circles later, I believe that circles can be as magical over Zoom as in real life.
A frontline worker who regularly comes to circles said that during this period circles may be all the more important, “Circles help remind us that we are mentally connected despite the massive physical distance amongst us.” The virtual format has helped us to invite people from all across the country to circle together.
When the lockdown began, I started inviting my friends to virtual circles as I noticed that a lot of them were going through significant difficulties adapting to the pandemic. In a time of uncertainty, these were beautiful spaces of togetherness. I started putting out flyers and soon I had people I’d never met coming to these circles.
These circles have helped create new connections. Akash, a regular participant in these circles, says that, “Through this listening circle, I was able to meet, understand and listen to people who I wouldn’t have met otherwise.” Often, people connect with each other after the circle, creating new bonds and connections.
Creating a container for multiple emotions
Circles can be beautiful containers for a wide variety of emotions. While some circles focus on deep intimate sharing, they also create space for joy, humour, laughter and fun. Often, we’ve played games and coloured while in circle, especially with children. In our circles at CSJ as well, while we’ve had deep sharing, we’ve also intertwined it with humorous prompts and games. Kshipra Marathe, Restorative Justice Counsellor at CSJ says that, “Facilitating and being in circles with children has taught me the beauty of openness and flexibility and the safe space it creates for everyone. I love how when we go with the flow of the circle, sometimes we play and have fun and other times we have such deep powerful conversations.” Urvashi talks about holding circles with women in the community and how deep circles are often interweaved with moments of lightness and laughter: “I miss those beautiful memories- moments of fun and laughter, sharing joy and tears.” Circles allow us to bring our whole, authentic selves to circle, and all of the aspects that we want to.
Self-care and healing in circle
Circles can be a space for us to focus inwards, to care for ourselves and to be compassionate to ourselves. Frontline workers and caregivers often talk about how they don’t find spaces which allow them to focus on themselves. Many of them have said they feel grateful that for the first time someone asked them how they’re feeling. A frontline worker said that the circle reminds them to think about themselves and to prioritize ourselves.
After a circle at a team retreat (by the beach), Urvashi spoke about how it gave her space to reflect on some very challenging times for her, “Sitting there in the circle, overseeing the ocean, it felt good to express- to share with everyone what my family and I went through emotionally. It helped so much to process things better and to accept that our lives had changed.” At the end of this circle, for the closing I invited everyone to write out our worries on seashells and then float them out into sea.
Sharing in circles can also help us to be self-compassionate as we are invited to offer ourselves the same compassion we give others when we share. Vedika, a participant in the community circles, said that, “when I voiced the ideas in my head, I was not self-bashing, I spoke about myself with the compassion and understanding I always afford to everyone around me. That was very special.”
Nikita Kataria, also working on the restorative justice team at CSJ says that being in circle, feeling safe and heard are powerful and have helped become more restorative in her personal life as well. For me as well, being in circle nurtures me to act in consonance with my values within circle, but also outside.
Multiple truths
“Truth and perspective are not a zero sum game. My truth does not negate yours, even if our truths don’t match up.” Kazu Haga
Restorative spaces create spaces for multiple truths and do away with the need to have one argument win over the other. While teaching restorative justice to final year law students, Jonathan Derby (founder of CSJ) and I held circles for discussing the course content. Circles created space for discussion which gave everyone a voice, enabled students to have differing opinions which could all be valid at the same time.
Owing to India’s socio-political situation and treatment of those who are marginalized, many people who came to the community circles during the pandemic where extremely disturbed by the government’s (in)actions. There are often government officials in the same circle who believe that the state is doing the best it could, given the circumstances. ‘Generosity of opinion’ is a value that participants have brought to many circles, a value which has enabled people to talk about their differing viewpoints and perspectives, while respecting each other and their lived reality. Circles may be unique in how they root out the need to have one truth win over the other.
Finding hope
Restorative spaces are also beautiful as they enable us to find hope and meaning. A frontline worker who participated in circles regularly said that, “When we share feelings, we see things in perspective. When we hear others’ problems and how they cope, it’s a reminder that so can we. This gives me hope and helps me to let go of things.”
Tragic optimism can be a helpful coping tool: acknowledging that we can experience intensely negative reactions to the strange times, that we can experience stress and trauma, and at the same time we can seek out glimmers of light in the darkest of nights.
Often, in sharing circles we use questions that help people think through their coping tools and feel a sense of wellness, such as, “What are three things you are grateful for in this moment?”, “What is the one thing you look forward to that helps you feel calm/joyful?”
The circles during the pandemic were a way of responding to uncertainty and finding hope. Akash, a frequent participant said that, “Through some very uncertain times, with no end in sight, these circles managed to pull people from different walks of life together, to share their stories on a platform with no judgment towards the people who shared their stories. It helped me to regain hope and look at the positives of life with renewed vigor.” People have spoken about feeling “a new energy”, a sense of hope, calm, warmth, and feeling light after being in circle.
We are more than the worst things we’ve done
Restorative spaces also allow us to remind ourselves that we are all more than the worst things we do or the worst things that happen to us. Dr. Alissa Ackerman, a restorative justice and gender-based harm expert, used the analogy of driftwood to talk about our duality as human beings. We can harm someone and still be a good human being, we still deserve our humanity. Circles remind us of this.
“Each of us is more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.”
Bryan Stevenson
During a reintegration circle for a child in conflict with law and his family, the child, Ishan, acknowledged what he had done in front of his family. His family expressed shock, anger, disappointment and shame and strongly condemned his actions, while his father also said that one mistake ought not to define Ishan for the rest of his life. As we closed the circle by doing a final go-around on what we appreciated about Ishan. Circles create space to acknowledge some of our worst mistakes, while reiterating that we are much more than that, we are all beautiful human beings who have enormous potential to be whoever we want to be.
Spade work for social justice work
“We can’t change other people by our convictions, stories, advice, and proposals, but we can offer a space in ourselves where people are encouraged to disarm themselves, lay aside their occupations & preoccupations, & listen with attention and care to the voices speaking” Henri Nouwen
Circle spaces and the intertwined mindfulness go beyond the self since they teach us to listen to others, work on undoing our social conditioning and have difficult, uncomfortable conversations. In this regard, Nimisha Srivastava, Program Director, CSJ says that, “For me that has been the most powerful component of circles. Circles have pushed me very gently to recognise my privilege and how others have been impacted by not having what I have had”. And this is the spade work for doing social justice work of dismantling oppressive structures. Circles create space for us to examine and unpack power, privilege and oppression.
During circles with children in custodial settings in Rajasthan, we explored the experiences of social identity and discrimination within the circles. It allowed for creating space to talk about how social oppression impacts those already at the margins of society, and what others can do to start dismantling these oppressive structures. While the aim of circles is not to teach, preach or reprimand, by enabling honest discussion, including examining the impact on those effected, circle processes help build empathy, including in the context of systemic oppression and guide people towards undoing harmful actions. I hope and believe that we can use circles to slowly address systemic and oppressive structural harms.
Reflecting and hoping
Holding circles has been a beautiful journey for me. As I was training to be a circle keeper in law school, it was in circle that I felt I found my voice for the first time, and where I felt I really belonged. Circles give me a sense of connection and belonging. Holding circles and being a circle keeper is my way of bringing that to others around me.
Each circle is a rich experience, in all different contexts. I find it beautiful that a process as simple as a circle can be so powerful in so many different contexts: with people of different ages, social identities, and lived experiences.
As I’ve held more circles, the learning from circles have seeped into my life. Circles have guided me to focus on and value all my relationships. Through being in circle and holding circles, I’ve learned to develop the compassion that I seek to offer others for myself (on most days). Circles give me permission to be my authentic self, far from perfect, yet trying step by step to show courage through vulnerability and radical kindness.
In a world that’s hurting, we may not need armour and battles as much as we may need softness, care and vulnerability: as a way of coping with our difficult emotions; for dealing with pain, rejection, hurt, fear and uncertainty; to move beyond the worst things we’ve ever done; and to begin to address oppressive social structures, one act of vulnerability and care at a time.
Gratitude to all the beautiful people who taught me how to keep circles, to adapt them virtually, and who by being in circle with me as co-facilitators and participants enriched my practice. A special shout out to Prof. Martin Price, my first mentor on holding circles, who made me believe in the magic of circles.
Arti is the Restorative Justice Program Officer at Counsel to Secure Justice in New Delhi India. She has worked on designing and implementing a pilot restorative justice project for children in the legal system. Arti is also a lawyer and has earlier litigated for children who’ve been abused and worked with women in prison.
Our wonderfully young but wise Annagrete comes to us from Estonia. She has worked with youth at risk in diferent fields and gave lectures in Universities for over 14 years. She now works as a service manager in Victim support and her responsibility is Restorative Justice and mediation. Annagrete also studied social work, social pedagogy and child care.
What will Annagret share with us in her presentation?
She will give us an overview of the challenges and sucessses of implementing Restorative Justice in Estonia in the last years. Next to finding a system of volunteers, the time of Covid-19 gave opportunity to develop Restorative Practice further. Especially, since we all were forced to think and look outside the box. Annagrete explains: “In Covid-19 time there were restorative discussion-circles online and after restrictions there were restorative discussion-circles in real life.” In her presentation, she will create a magical space dedicated to storytelling of people who took part in Restorative Practice initiatives.
Meanwhile, to get ready for her talk, you can check out a post which is part of the #SolidarityOverDistance series by the EFRJ (European Forum for Restorative Justice). The article with Annagrete is called “Discussion with Annagrete Johanson” – you’ll learn more about the influence of COVID-19 on Restorative Practice…
Mark Goodwin (UK)
Mark, our freelance teacher, trainer & coach has 20 years’ experience working across phases in a number of schools. He currently work in Alternative Provision with kids who are permanently excluded from school or at risk of exclusion, delivering a solutions focused coaching programme alongside key curriculum.
Moreover, he focusses on preventing kids being excluded by training staff in restorative and relational teaching approaches. He gracefully shared his Checklist focussing on“(…) how to go about building and maintaining effective relationships with young people to help them learn well.” Get free access to the checklist, which includes helpful tips, here: “The Cookie Jar Checklist“!
Also, he has published for “TES” (Times Educational Supplement) on the topic that’s in everyones minds at the moment… Yes, right: Coronavirus. More specifically: Teaching and Coronavirus. Or even better: “4 ways to re-integrate pupils who dislike school” during coronavirus.”
What will Mark share with us in his presentation?
His main topic will address the controversial and questioned matter of Coronavirus in context of education. Mark states: “Reconnecting with young people after Covid after recent events, there will be hundreds of kids who feel disconnected from school, learning and even themselves. This will most keenly be felt by those who are already disadvantaged and marginalised.”
Mark will draw on his deepened experience and expertise in reconnecting excluded kids to learning. Hepromises to present what is required in the coming weeks and months to support a successful reconnection, including: – the mindset teachers need, – the learning kids can do, – the relationships that will be needed to be built.
He will share with us his approaches, which are based on: – meeting the kids where they are, – throwing a wide circle, – “I see you”, – “see the best part”, and – “check Yourself”
He also let us know that his talk is “full of practical advice and approaches that anybody working with young people can take away and use.”
Dr Belinda Hopkins (UK)
“Transforming Conflict” logo. Taken from their Website: https://transformingconflict.org/
Please meet the fantastic lady who founded “Transforming Conflict“, a National Centre for Restorative Approaches in Youth and Community Settings, 25 years ago! The project “Transforming Conflict” turned out to meet an important social need, so that it now works with staff in children’s residential care, youth organisations and community care. Belinda is also a well-published author and restorative practitioner, trainer and consultant.
But that’s not all – Belinda pioneered the concept of a “whole-school restorative approach” across the UK in the early 2000’s! A true sage and visioner, she is. Moreover, she is on the EFRJ Values and Principles Working Party and is currently on their Training Committee.
What will Belinda share with us in her presentation?
Take a seat, and imagine this scenario…
“It is undeniable that schools worldwide, school communities are facing a ‘new normal’. After months of isolation and frightening news bulletins we are soon to return to strange new environments facing guidelines that keep people at a distance, hidden behind masks, unable to socialise. There is huge pressure to make up for lost time academically. Schools may be tempted to become even more authoritarian to bring students back in line after months away from the routines and rhythms of their school community.“
So what do we do in this case?
Belinda, together with Monica Alberti, will share a package of resources designed by UK restorative practitioners to support the mental and emotional health of the whole school community at this time of crisis. Before the talk, or during the talk – make sure you give this Website “www.restoreourschools.com” a visit! There, you learn more about “(…) How we plan for the return to the classrooms, playgrounds and corridors of schools.” You can also find help-full resources that support this journey.
Belinda was part of that original collective. Monica has been using the materials in Catalonia, working with the Catalan Department of Education to implement a restorative approach in schools not just as crisis intervention but for EVERY DAY.
So, sustainable, practical and informative take-away packages from these 3 speakers are guaranteed! See you there!
Joseph is the Program Director for the charity, called Restorative Justice Housing Ontario. He also was the first Canadian to receive a Federal Prison sentence for insider trading. From prison, he went to working for a new registered charity, with the goal to assist ex-offenders.
Joseph’s Episode in “Voices Inside Out”
Cover of the Podcast “Voices Inside and Out”
Joseph is the guest in John Howard’s podcast “Voices Inside and Out”. The aim of this podcast is to give a platform to those, who have experienced Canadas Criminal Justice System, so they can share their stories with the public. Joseph is the guest in a two-part episode.
The first part is titled, “Joseph Lauren: Post-custody Housing Challenges and Solutions“. In this interview, Joseph unpacks, and dives deeper into the issues with finding proper housing for ex-offenders. But he does not shy back from these issues! He provides SOLUTIONS – that’s the part that we all need to hear, don’t we? And if you want to learn more of his experience, check out part 2, too. It’s called “Post-custody Employment Challenges and Solutions.
For a little appetiser of what awaits you in episode one, read here:
“After a high-profile conviction for insider trading, finding employment after custody was a challenge for Joseph Lauren. He was handicapped both by a criminal record and a significant presence on google searches. This led to a change of name, starting his own consulting company, and “Collared” a documentary about his crime. Joseph shares with us his journey to earn a living, experiences in prison, and advice for others on how to make it after prison.”
What will Joseph share with us in his presentation?
He will discuss what miraculous event in prison led him from “a life making millions a year as a former lawyer and inside trader to now working as the first Program Director of Restorative Justice Housing OntarioRJHO.ca“(Restorative Justice Housing Ontario).
Adult and child hands holding paper house, family home and homeless shelter conceptAdult and child hands holding paper house, family home and homeless shelter concept. Picture taken from http://rjho.ca/.
The plan of RJHO.ca, as they explain on their website is, to…
“(…) help people leaving prison become positive members of society by providing safe housing to those with no alternatives. We focus on people who could most benefit from such housing and who are motivated to change their lives. Our positive and supportive community of volunteers help ex‑offenders to transition back into everyday life, reducing the risk of re-offence and making our communities safer.”
In his workshop, Joseph will unapologetically name and talk about the struggle of trying to find safe housing that ex-offenders face. He will clearly outline the precarious position ex-imprisoners find themselves in, even as people that are fully committed to reform.
He will problematize the fact that these people cannot find housing on their own because of finances and discrimination tied to their criminal records – and that’s why support is desperately needed. Support, like from people like Joseph, and charities like RJHO.ca.
“Collared”
Joseph obviously turned his experience into something great, and use-full. On his Website: https://www.collaredconsulting.com/, he offers his skills in many diferent areas.
You can book him as:
Compliance-training speaker
Information Protection consultant
Keynote Ethics speaker and panelist
CLE / CPE ethics training consultant
Prison Preparation Consultant
White-Collar Crime consequences speaker
Expert on Insider Trading and its Prevention
And on his personal page you also get access to his successful BLOG, where you can read up more about his fascinating stories.
Aaaand also, while you’re there…. Check out the TRAILER to his EDUCATIONAL-DOCUMENTARY, CALLED “COLLARED”:
Trailer to Josephs film “Collared”
But what’s better than hearing the genius himself live at our RJ WORLD CONFERENCE? Plus, you even get the opportunity to interact with him, and ask him questions! So, we shall see you there! 🙂
The magic of co-creation (making with others), design and gifting in situations of transition, harm and conflict…
Clair works as a creative practitioner alongside her profession as an accredited restorative justice practitioner. She is based in Scotland, where she combines her artmaking practice with her Restorative Justice work. From 2001-2007, she worked with Oxfordshire Youth Offending Service, England.
Space2face RJ Arts Oranisation
Currently, Clair channels her skills into the Restorative Arts Organisation, called Space2face in Shetland, Scotland. What is Space2face, you may ask? Well, I’m glad you ask:
Space2face logo
This is how they introduce themselves on their website:
“Space2face is a restorative justice arts charity and a confidential and independent service. We work with those who’ve been harmed (victims) by crime and conflict, those responsible for causing harm (offenders) through crime and conflict, as well as all others affected by what has happened – the families and communities linked to those primarily involved.”
In 2016, Space2face received a Restorative Practice UK Award for their creative approaches to restorative justice (criminal justice category). And the best: Space2face is for EVERYONE! The organisation promises, “You don’t have to be creative or arty to use our service! We’ve just learned that through making, talking about difficult things is sometimes easier.” Definitely look through their page if this interests you: Space2face!
What is Clair going to share with us in her presentation?
Drawing Clair’s sketchbooks
Clair is in the final year of her PhD, which investigates whether a handmade gifted object can enable connections, or moments of convergence and solidarity across the space between people in Restorative Justice. …So basically, that means that she is researching the potential of self-made objects to connect people, in context of Restorative Justice.
In her workshop, she will share with us pieces from her PhD research in Restorative Justice and Design. It will quickly become evident, that Clair is very interested in language. Therefore, she is going to examine some of the words and phrases she has gathered to begin a discussion around language for speaking about the narratives of convergence (from ‘com’ – with, together + ‘vergere’ – to bend, turn, tend toward).
Peerie Boxes. A miniature exhibition curated with artist Kristi Tait, in partnership with Laura, a lady living with dementia
As part of the talk, Clair will show handmade objects gifted between participants in Restorative Justice encounters. Looking at these objects, you will hear through the artwork, the voices of the creators, and the moments of convergence they enabled, in part, through their objects. …”HEARING voices” through OBJECTS? This will truly be a holistic tickle for – at least two of- our senses!
Hungry to learn more about our wonder-full Clair? Click here: http://www.clairaldington.com/ This link is the entrance door to her fascinating projects, more pictures of her stunning drawings and you can even get a glimpse into her personal sketchbooks! Oh, and last but not least: Clair also runs her own scientifically-artsy blog!
