Restorative Justice in schools
In a world first, Victoria is now offering a free online course focused on restorative justice as part of its VictoriaX programme of unique edX Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs).
Presented by Professor Chris Marshall, Diana Unwin Chair in Restorative Justice in Victoria’s School of Government, Tom Noakes-Duncan (lecturer with the Diana Unwin Chair in Restorative Justice) and Haley Farrar (Programme Development Advisor), Restorative Justice and Practice: Emergence of a Social Movement is an introduction to the theory and practice of restorative justice—widely regarded as one of the most important innovations in modern justice practice.
Drawing on the pioneering role New Zealand has played in incorporating restorative practices into its justice, welfare and education systems, the course traces how restorative justice has grown from small beginnings into a wider social movement for change across all sectors of society.
Of equal importance is the practice itself. The course teaches restorative practices and how they can bring about positive change for learner’s schools, families, workplaces and community agencies.
“Restorative justice is a process whereby all the parties with a stake in a particular offence or conflict come together with trained facilitators to have a conversation about what’s happened, what the impact has been and how things can be repaired,” explains Professor Marshall.
“It’s a new lens for looking at the problem of human justice, conflict and wrongdoing, based on a relational understanding of justice.”
Among the aspects the course focuses on is restorative justice in schools.
“Restorative Justice began as an initiative within the criminal justice system, but the principles, values and priorities were adopted by schools,” says Professor Marshall.
“The restorative processes have an important role to play in student disciplinary regimes, but they also have an important role in improving student and staff wellbeing, generally.”
Now open for free online enrolment, Restorative Justice and Practice: Emergence of a Social Movement is the latest addition to the growing VictoriaX programme of innovative MOOCs, which includesa virtual field trip to Antarctica (Antarctica: From Geology to Human History) and New Zealand’s first bicultural MOOC, New Zealand Landscape as Culture: Islands (Ngā Motu).