Restorative justice helps, protects and heals. It focuses on reconciliation between offender and victim or offender and community, in general.
Young volunteers involved in i-RESTORE project told us why they consider it necessary for children and youth. ”I believe that restaurative practices are very useful in schools, especially in case of bullying, of which I was a victim many times. If a knowledgeable person facilitates restorative circles in schools, this could put an end to school violence and contribute to formation of adults with healthy behaviours.” (Andrada, 22 years).
In March 2023, the project volunteers established a Child Advisory Board. They worked in teams, came up with proposals and looked for solutions in order to improve justice system for children and youth in Romania. Also, they identified creative methods to inform school children and youth about the benefits of restorative justice.
Through online meetings, i-RESTORE 2 project brought together young volunteers from Romania, Netherlands and Estonia who shared experience, feelings, ideas and future plans and learned about restorative practices applied in case of school conflicts. To them, restorative justice means: mediation, communication, empathy, healing, understanding, listening to the other side, giving a second chance.
The young people told us about their implication into project activities and how this project helped them to develop:
”We formed a mixed group. Every idea was listened to and appreciated by the others.” (Alexandra, Romania)
”I was an introvert, but from the moment I got involved in this project I started to notice other people’s feelings, now I pay attention to them and I help them whenever they need.” (Walther, Netherlands).
”I realised that I can make a change by helping others, and this fills me with energy both for myself and the group activities.” (Evert, Estonia)
i-RESTORE 2 project - ”Accessible Quality Restorative Justice processes for children in contact with the law in Europe”, is coordinated by Terre des hommes Foundation in Romania and co-funded by the European Union (EU).
