November marks Restorative Justice Month in Newfoundland and Labrador, an opportunity to celebrate and raise awareness about this holistic approach to fostering care, equity, and connection within communities. This year’s theme, Inspiring Collaboration & Igniting Social Change, highlights the transformative power of dialogue and shared responsibility in building more resilient relationships.

Restorative justice emphasizes nurturing relationships and fostering collaboration by engaging individuals, organizations, and communities in meaningful conversations. It promotes a culture of mutual respect and shared accountability, contributing to stronger, more connected communities.

Significant progress has been made since 2014 in re-imagining education through a restorative justice lens in Newfoundland and Labrador. Schools across the province, including Indigenous, independent, and Francophone schools, are incorporating restorative justice principles into their practices with support from the Department of Education.

Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador (RFNL) continues to lead efforts to advance restorative justice, including the development of a comprehensive provincial scan document, Restorative Justice in Newfoundland and Labrador: A Catalogue, Summary, and History. This resource highlights the breadth of restorative justice work happening across the province and will soon be available on RFNL’s website.

To learn more about restorative justice and the work of RFNL, visit www.rfnl.org.

View the release here.

Posted: November 1, 2024