University symposium explores restorative justice

University symposium explores restorative justice

Practitioners, community members and partners from across Alaska will gather virtually this spring to explore how restorative justice is evolving in communities statewide.

The free three-day Restorative Justice Symposium will take place Monday through Wednesday, March 30 through April 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. The symposium will be held online and is open to the public.

Hosted by the University of Alaska Anchorage School of Social Work and the University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Justice, the symposium brings together practitioners, scholars and community partners. They'll discuss the challenges and opportunities of restorative justice work in Alaska. This year's event is titled "Navigating the Weeds of Restorative Justice Practice."

Sessions will highlight experiences in restorative justice processes, explore legal pathways into restorative programs and examine the role of facilitators who guide restorative dialogue. Participants will also take part in interactive program development discussions featuring emerging restorative justice initiatives across the state.

The symposium began in 2023 as a collaborative effort between Rei Shimizu of the University of Alaska Anchorage and Ingrid Johnson of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Each spring, the event brings Alaskans together to increase awareness of restorative justice practices, strengthen community-based programs and build networks of support among practitioners and organizations.

Restorative justice is a process that focuses on repairing harm by bringing together those affected by wrongdoing to promote accountability, healing and community solutions.

This year's symposium will feature a mix of panel discussions, information sessions and program development dialogues designed to foster collaboration and share practical insights from ongoing work across Alaska.

For example, in the panel "Seeds of Hope: Personal Stories of Restorative Justice," participants from restorative programs across the state will share their experiences. Another session, "Legal Pathways into RJ Programs in Alaska," will explore how restorative processes intersect with the legal system, including diversion programs and sentencing recommendations.

Additional sessions will focus on facilitation practices, youth court initiatives and community-led restorative justice efforts, including programs developed by the Alaskan Samoan Community and the Interior Alaska Center for Nonviolent Living.

Organizers say the symposium reflects the University of Alaska's broader mission to support public service, engaged citizenship and community-based solutions throughout the state.

The event is free and open to the public.

Registration is available online.

More information, including the full schedule, is available on the symposium website.

ADDITIONAL CONTACTS: Ingrid Johnson, UAF associate professor of justice, [email protected]; Rei Shimizu, UAA assistant professor of social work, [email protected]

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