Bullying, gang violence and restorative justice
Communities that are struggling with issues related to bullying and gang-related violence can also create solutions, say experts in restorative justice.
The experts will work with communities to reach that goal when they meet for the 2nd annual International Conference on Restorative Practices, being held in partnership with Simon Fraser University, May 31- June 5 at the Coast Plaza Hotel in Vancouver.
The keynote speakers include: Manjit and Suman Virk, parents of murdered teen Reena Virk, and Graham Robb, a former school head and teacher in the U.K., whose talk is entitled Continental Drift? A Map for Restorative Approaches in Schools and Children’s Services. Two days of intensive workshops will follow.
“We need to create a new way forward if we are to have safer schools and communities, and we can only do that by working together, beginning with creative and interactive workshops that bring out our strengths and abilities,” says Brenda Morrison, an assistant professor at SFU’s Centre for Restorative Justice.
Morrison, author of Restoring Safe School Communities: A Whole School Response to Bullying, Violence and Alienation (2007, The Federation Press, Australia), advocates a health-care model built on interventions that restore the social and emotional health of young people, their schools and communities.
For more information visit: http://restorativepracticesinternational.org/