Restorative Justice Week 2010 theme announced

In past years, themes such as “Wisdom
Gained Through
Experience”; “Creative Partnerships & Collaborative
Action”; “Fostering a Restorative Worldview” and last
years’ theme “Communities Responding to Human Needs”
expressed the kind of restorative justice we are aspiring to attain. We
have
evolved in different ways and have come to recognize the importance of
working
together to make a difference. We have seen important changes throughout
the
years and have accomplished a great deal.

Over the past ten years, we have come
together as a community in
conferences, trainings and symposia, and have explored ways to use our
voices
for justice and true peacemaking. We are taking action and taking care
of one
another. The alliances and partnerships formed across Canada provided
opportunities to introduce restorative justice principles, values, and
initiatives to both citizens and institutions, including schools,
businesses
and social service providers. While our practice evolves, our values and
principles remain constant; we all thrive by staying connected and
growing from
our experiences.

We have increased awareness of victims’
and offenders’
needs, hopeful that no one is left without care and compassion following
a
traumatic experience. We have learned that whole communities are
responsible
for providing for the needs of their members, especially after one in
their
midst has been hurt by crime.

CCJC has compiled a list of Restorative
Justice resources of a
general nature, as well as faith-based materials. For example, you will
find
Bible studies with a list of appropriate online resources from the CCJC
and
interfaith materials for other faiths from the Correctional Service of
Canada.
A list of online speakers / workshop facilitators has also been
compiled, and
we encourage you to contact either the CCJC or Correctional Service
Canada for
further information.

CCJC
and Correctional Service Canada encourages everyone to participate, as a
community, in Restorative Justice. The new materials for church and
congregational use are powerful and enlightening, encouraging thought,
dialogue
and wonderful discussions.

To access “Reflexions, past, present,
future”
restorative justice resources, go to

Church Council on Justice and
Corrections at www.ccjc.ca/restorative_justice.html

Correctional Service of Canada at http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/rj/index-eng.shtml

Please note that 2010
materials
will be available online in September 2010.