Restorative Justice Centre

A great example of the application of restorative justice in harming the environment. A Green Wave of cases argue this key point – if you harm nature, you can be held accountable for helping to
remedy it.

Press Release: Cacti will have their day in court — Conservation-Litigation.org The latest developments in the case of a momentous seizure of over 1,000 rare and protected Chilean cacti from a greenhouse in Senigallia, Italy. Tomorrow, the Court of Ancona will hear the unusual case against two individuals who allegedly poached and smuggled some of the world’s most threatened ...

An interesting take on the power of a heartfelt apology:

Joey Votto’s handwritten apology to baseball fans shows the pen is mightier than the bat The power of a handwritten letter became clear when baseball player Joey Votto penned an apology to Canadian fans. Votto also reopened the debate about whether kids should learn cursive writing.

A very powerful story, demonstrating the simple power of people encountering one another as fellow human beings

‘I don’t blame her’: meeting of Esther G**y and Emma Sutton shows power of restorative justice Mother of murder victim Brianna G**y and mother of her killer meet and decide to campaign together on dangers of mobile phones

Some extremely valuable insights and resources on the matter of restorative justice in cases of from our colleagues in Europe

www.euforumrj.org

An excellent, comprehensive overview on the matter of the ineffectiveness of imprisonment.
It beggars belief that despite this abysmal state of affairs we keep believing that it should work

Nine out of 10 South African criminals reoffend, while in Finland it's 1 in 3. This is why Finland’s experience shows the value of applying sensible conflict transformation perspectives in the management of crime.

A very helpful, constructive article. Restorative mediation can play a crucial role in addressing interpersonal crime, a significant percentage of all crime.

South Africa's police are losing the war on crime – here's how they need to rethink their approach Government departments, civil society groups and the private sector should pool resources and work together in a co-ordinated manner to prevent violent crime.

Please join us in supporting this movement by signing this petition

Sign the Petition : Sign up and Pledge to Take a Stand Against GBVF

Last call for people to attend Monday and Tuesday's event

The RJC is so excited to be part of this groundbreaking project

Restorative justice approaches to wildlife crimes The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) has for the past 50 years focused on conserving threatened species and ecosystems.

Please join us for this event to mark International Restorative Justice Week.
ZOOM RSVP HERE or watch the live stream on UKZNYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/UKZNSouthAfrica

Please see the invitation to anyone who would like to know more about restorative justice

The RJC aligns its core values with the GBVF’s RESPECT National GBVF Prevention Campaign and wholeheartedly encourage our employees, partners, and community members to stand beside us in supporting this crucial cause.
Our commitment to the RESPECT Campaign is rooted in our unwavering belief in the following principles:
1. Empowerment: By supporting the Fund, we actively contribute to empowering survivors of gender-based violence and femicide.
2. Prevention: The Fund's unwavering focus on prevention through education and awareness programs is commendable. The RESPECT Campaign, as the Fund's flagship initiative, embodies our shared belief that lasting change begins with informed minds. We are fully dedicated to leveraging our platforms to amplify the campaign's prevention messaging and efforts.
3. Advocacy: Through our support, we passionately champion the cause against GBVF, fostering an environment where gender-based violence and femicide are unmistakeably intolerable. We advocate for a society where justice is served, and perpetrators are held accountable.
4. Inclusivity: We take pride in supporting a campaign that adopts an inclusive and intersectional approach. RESPECT recognizes that gender-based violence affects individuals of all backgrounds, and our support ensures that no one is left behind.

As a beneficiary of the Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) Response Fund the Restorative Justice Centre, we are proud to demonstrate our solidarity and partnership with the fund’s RESPECT National GBVF Prevention Campaign.
As the RJC, we firmly believe in the transformative power of collective action to drive meaningful change in society. It is with great optimism and a profound sense of responsibility that we join hands with the Fund in this vital endeavour.

https://streamyard.com/watch/MScFwT7YJYyy

After sports broadcaster Joey Wheeler’s post-game joke on air achieved viral attention as a racist trope, he participated in a restorative dialogue that changed his perspective on the impact of these comments and deepened his understanding of how micro-aggressions and white privilege influence how racism is experienced by Asians in New Zealand.

Thanks to the Zehr Institute for facilitating this webinar and giving us this example of what is possible in situations like this.

Echo Effects of the Microaggression: Lessons Learned from a New Zealand Restorative Dialogue after Public Harm After sports broadcaster Joey Wheeler’s post-game joke on air achieved viral attention as a racist trope, he participated in a restorative dialogue that changed his perspective on the impact of these comments and deepened his understanding of how micro-aggressions and white privilege influence how...

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-27-linda-biehl-returns-to-sa-to-commemorate-the-30th-anniversary-of-her-daughter-amys-death/

What a beautiful testimony and legacy! Thank you Linda Biehl and the for showing us a glimpse of what is possible in the face of tragedy.

Linda Biehl returns to South Africa to commemorate the 30th anniversary of her daughter Amy’s death Amy Biehl’s family, members of the Gugulethu community and two of the men who were involved in her murder attended the commemoration ceremony.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-08-27-thuli-madonsela-embarks-on-300km-pilgrimage-of-hope-to-raise-money-to-pay-off-disadvantaged-students-debt/

A great example of a leader mobilising others to support social justice

Thuli Madonsela embarks on 300km Pilgrimage of Hope to raise money to pay off disadvantaged students’ debt The former public protector and a group of supporters walked 300km to raise money to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds pay their debts to Stellenbosch University.

Note the launch of the Introduction to Reconciliation online course as a part of the United States Institute of Peace Global Campus’s learning community.

The course centers on the idea that reconciliation is a critical component at all phases of the conflict cycle. It is not an optional extra or only a possible end-goal in a peacebuilding process. The practice of reconciliation is the relational lubrication that transforms and re-channels violent conflict from a destructive to a constructive force. In this introductory course, reconciliation is embedded in the roots of indigenous practice and trauma healing. The concepts and applications of reconciliation are integrated into transitional and restorative justice, truth commissions, and peace processes. Reconciliation is a contested idea, yet is an essential part of building durable peace.

The course features a number of esteemed guests and experts, including Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Ph.D., Betty Bigombe, John Caulker, Esra Çuhadar, Ph.D., Fanie du Toit, Ph.D., Andrei Gomez-Suarez, Ph.D., Eduardo González, Brandon Hamber, Ph.D., Mulanda Juma Ph.D., Gráinne Kelly, Ph.D., Simon Keyes, Ph.D., Rev. Samuel Kobia, Ph.D., Jennifer Llewellyn, LLM, Antti Pentikäinen, Colette Rausch, JD, Tecla Namachanja Wanjala, Ph.D., Marie Wilson, Ashok Xavier, Ph.D., and Florina Xavier, Ph.D.

You can learn more about the course and register at https://www.usip.org/academy/catalog/introduction-reconciliation.

Introduction to Reconciliation This Introduction to Reconciliation course centers on the idea that reconciliation is a critical component at all phases of the conflict cycle. It is not an optional extra or only a possible end-goal in a peacebuilding process. The practice of reconciliation is the relational lubrication that transf...

this excellent article on the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis has much that resonates with restorative justice practitioners and for us as a faith-based organisation. These words in particular are inspiring: Pope Francis’ papacy is anchored on what he calls a “revolution of tenderness”. This reflects two central themes: the courage to dream and the culture of encounter.

https://theconversation.com/pope-francis-the-first-post-colonial-papacy-to-deliver-messages-that-resonate-with-africans-201638?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20March%2012%202023%20-%202568225817&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20March%2012%202023%20-%202568225817+CID_bb5926c1cae9dd6bdf74d58609688fb2&utm_source=campaign_monitor_africa&utm_term=Pope%20Francis%20the%20first%20post-colonial%20papacy%20to%20deliver%20messages%20that%20resonate%20with%20Africans

Pope Francis: the first post-colonial papacy to deliver messages that resonate with Africans Pope Francis’ papacy is anchored on what he calls a “revolution of tenderness”.

A very helpful article about the complex issue of apology:

https://theconversation.com/adriaan-vlok-the-case-for-accepting-the-late-south-african-politicians-apology-for-apartheid-198419?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20January%2025%202023%20-%202525425352&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20January%2025%202023%20-%202525425352+CID_78a48fe88ee8117b30bdfeaa072796c4&utm_source=campaign_monitor_africa&utm_term=Adriaan%20Vlok%20the%20case%20for%20accepting%20the%20late%20South%20African%20politicians%20apology%20for%20apartheid

Adriaan Vlok: the case for accepting the late South African politician’s apology for apartheid Even incomplete or insincere apologies have restorative value.

An insightful article, demonstrating real moral leadership. Thank you Rev Chikane

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-01-15-here-is-why-i-have-risen-above-bitterness-about-adriaan-vlok-the-apartheid-minister-who-tried-to-kill-me/

REFLECTION: Here is why I have risen above bitterness about Adriaan Vlok, the apartheid minister who tried to kill me Apartheid activist Reverend Frank Chikane survived an attempted poisoning in 1989. The man who ordered his assassination was Law and Order Minister Adriaan Vlok. In the democratic era, Vlok sought redemption and begged forgiveness. When Vlok died this week, aged 85, multiple journalists contacted Ch...

A very balanced and helpful article, especially the references to how the ConCourt could have articulated its judgment more sensitively and reflected the views of the Hani family.
https://theconversation.com/janusz-walus-parole-south-africas-constitutional-court-was-right-but-failed-the-sensitivity-test-196055?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20December%208%202022%20-%202485624904&utm_content=Latest%20from%20The%20Conversation%20for%20December%208%202022%20-%202485624904+CID_2c166069aa9829e5ea0bffb4dca9bb95&utm_source=campaign_monitor_africa&utm_term=Janusz%20Walus%20parole%20South%20Africas%20constitutional%20court%20was%20right%20-%20but%20failed%20the%20sensitivity%20test

Janusz Walus parole: South Africa's constitutional court was right - but failed the sensitivity test The court should have given the public a much clearer understanding of how it came to its decision, and what consideration it had given to public opinion.

In case you missed some excellent presentations and discussions at the webinar yesterday please view the recording at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb-P2u6w144

International Restorative Justice Week Webinar ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------University of KwaZulu-Natal http://www.ukzn.ac.za/UKZN pageh...

Please join us at this event to mark International Restorative Justice Week. RSVP to Melissa Mungoo [email protected]

Here is a good overview of an excellent discussion, together with the recording:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-10-04-restorative-justice-in-south-africa-could-benefit-both-victims-and-perpetrators-of-violence/

DAILY MAVERICK WEBINAR: Restorative justice in South Africa could benefit both victims and perpetrators of violence Daily Maverick on Monday hosted a webinar titled ‘The Role of Restorative Justice: Dealing with High Levels of Violence in our Country’. Maverick Life contributor and senior researcher Joy Watson facilitated the conversation with peacebuilding consultant Friederike Bubenzer and former public pro...

https://event.webinarjam.com/register/644/xyxx0bml8

The Role of Restorative Justice: Dealing with High Levels of Violence Join Maverick Life's Joy Watson in conversation with Prof Thuli Madonsela and Friederike Bubenzer.

Are you aware of the Social Justice Conference focusing on restitution this year? seehttps://www.facebook.com/CISJLawFacutyTrustChairSU

Social Justice M-Plan We are a platform that promotes Social Justice Scholarship, consciousness and collaboration to ensure

A useful analysis of our country's crime situation and a call for restorative justice to be utilized as a way of engaging the social drivers of crime.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-08-02-as-violent-crime-soars-lets-ditch-retribution-for-restorative-justice/

A compelling in-depth interview with the author of "Unforgiven: face to face with my father's killer"

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/jun/28/south-africas-pain-and-anger-are-mine-too-how-liz-mcgregor-confronted-her-fathers-killer?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

‘Why did you murder my father?’ How Liz McGregor confronted a killer After a painful and lengthy murder trial, the journalist still had questions about why her father had died. So she set out to meet the gang member jailed for the killing

For all our country's many problems, surely it's absolutely clear that violence is not the answer? the RJC calls on all peace-loving people to resist apparent calls for more unrest.

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2022-06-13-dear-duduzile-zuma-do-you-understand-the-horror-that-your-call-for-another-unrest-will-wreak/