PRE-CONFERENCETRAINING
What are Pre-Conference Trainings?
Pre-Conference Trainings are an optional day or two of training for those who want to have a more in depth understanding about a particular topic. Select a number or title below to expand the training description, and click on the presenter's name to read their biography. All 5 of the trainings run at the same time, so participants will only be able to choose one.
You can register for a particular training while you register for the conference; the pre-conference training IS NOT INCLUDED in the cost of registration.
PLEASE NOTE: There will be no translation services at this year's symposium.
2 Day Peacemaking Circle Training
DATES: November 16th and 17th
Recovering from Crime: Restorative Justice and the Journey Toward Healing
DATE: November 17th
Join us for a deep dive into the practice of working effectively with crime victims and survivors through restorative approaches to justice.
A central principle of restorative justice is to support the involvement and voice of crime victims and survivors. While restorative justice theory emphasizes the centrality of victims’ needs, in practice the field has been known to fall short of fulfilling this promise. Drawing on international experience and research, this is a hands-on one-day training event intended for Canada’s community of restorative justice practitioners and program administrators. Together we will explore how restorative justice providers can contribute to experiences of honor, equity, inclusion and meaning for victims and survivors. We will build on our existing skillsets to work toward trauma-informed and highly responsive practical techniques. We will grapple with the complex layers of historical and current systemic trauma and its’ effect on the lived experience and needs of many survivors. We will analyze our work through the lens of victim/survivor needs, from initial outreach through intervention and follow-up. Throughout this intensive learning experience, you will continue to build and deepen relationships within a diverse community of justice visionaries from across Canada.
Through a blend of presentation, group discussion, video materials and hands-on practice opportunities we will explore:
- How do we think about or envision the role of victims/survivors in restorative justice?
- How might we best design restorative justice processes to be responsive to victim/survivors’ needs?
- What can leaders and administrators do to incorporate victims’ concerns in program design and development?
- How can the movement as a whole build stronger bridges with victims, survivors and their advocates?
As trainers, we (Aaron Lyons and Matthew Hartman) have dedicated our professional lives toward the ethical practice of restorative justice. Along with partners across Canada and the United States, we have recently led several projects which inform the theme of this training, including: co-authoring ARJA’s guide “Serving Victims through Restorative Justice: A Resource Guide for Leaders and Practitioners;” conducting (with Justice Canada) a National Listening Project to better understand crime victims’ experiences of restorative justice; hosting a US-based Symposium to build bridges between victim assistance and restorative justice leaders, and more.
We look forward to meeting you in Banff!
Building a Restorative Culture in your Classroom/School
"No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship." (James Comer, 1995) How do we create positive relationships with and among students and adults? How do we encourage students to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do? How do we encourage students to take responsibility and be accountable for their words and actions? How do we create environments where conflicts, including bullying behaviours, are less likely to occur? What is it we want students to learn through our discipline practices when they've caused harm?
Creating a culture in your school or classroom based on the following restorative principles results in a environment that is welcoming, caring, respectful and safe, supports positive mental health leading to optimal engagement and learning for students.
1. Importance of relationships
2. Focus on harm done rather than rule broke
3. Encourage responsibility and accountability
4. Involve and engage all (students/staff/adults)
5. Teach and practice collaborative problem solving
6. Give voice to all
This is not a program but rather a philosophy and approach that can complement and enhance other initiatives in your school and district and support Alberta legislation as it pertains to schools as well as the recently revised Teacher and Leadership Quality Standard.
Developing a Restorative Justice Program
DATE: November 17th
Police and Relationship Centered Focus on Community Justice Issues