International Conference  “The Role of Restorative Justice in Criminal Matters” Towards Community Needs Centered Justice System

12-13 October, 2023 Tbilisi, Georgia

Important Information                                                                                                                     

Recognizing that restorative justice has received growing interest in a number of Council of Europe member States, and its further development and efficient use can be seen both as an opportunity and a positive challenge for ameliorating the European criminal justice systems. As the Venice Declaration on the Role of Restorative Justice in Criminal Matters highlights the development of restorative justice should be considered as an important part of the global sustainable development process as it also contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16: promoting just, peaceful, and inclusive societies.

The International Conference introduces the themes concerning restorative justice and alternative mechanisms to criminal proceedings along with perspectives for the development of restorative justice in relation to the Venice Declaration on the Role of Restorative Justice in Criminal Matters.

The Conference creates a platform for participants to share their experiences, receive information about the best practices and discuss, together with international experts, the key emerging issues on restorative justice and alternative mechanisms to criminal prosecution. The Conference will provide the participants with a unique opportunity to widen their professional contacts for cooperation and further experience- sharing.

The Conference is organized face-to-face, in Tbilisi, Georgia, hosted by the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the Prosecution Service of Georgia, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, UNICEF and the European Union. The Conference is supported by the European Forum for Restorative Justice.

In Georgia, the practice of restorative justice was initiated in 2010 with the introduction of the Diversion and Mediation Programme as an alternative mechanism to criminal proceedings. In particular, the victim- offender mediation programme as a component of restorative justice has been integrated within the alternative mechanism to juvenile criminal proceedings. Georgia marks its 13-year of experience in this field, with continuous work in further development of restorative justice within the juvenile justice system and beyond. Georgia, along with other invited guests, has the honor to share its experience, good practice and also be engaged in the discussions on strengthening restorative justice approaches and achieving more progress in this regard.

The Aim, Key Themes and Format of the International Conference                                              

Restorative justice is widely recognized as an effective response to crime. Restorative justice is centered on people, if they freely consent, on recovery of relations harmed by crime and on the resolution of matters arising from the offence. At the same time, there are challenges linked to implementation of restorative justice approaches, among them, the interrelation of restorative and traditional justice systems, matters of legislation, translating of restorative justice principles in practice, multisectoral coordination and communication in restorative justice processes.

Restorative justice is also considered within the framework of alternative mechanisms to criminal prosecution. Diversion as an alternative mechanism to criminal proceedings proved to the most efficient approach which helps juveniles in conflict with the law to realize their responsibility, has positive impact on their development and simultaneously facilitates their resocialization and rehabilitation. Furthermore, it is important to prioritize participation of victims and taking their interests and needs into account to maximum extent possible. That is why it is the key priority to develop victim support services and restorative justice programmes.

The Conference aims to identify the key issues related to development of restorative justice and alternative mechanisms to criminal proceedings, to create a platform for sharing and discussing international best practices with implementation perspectives on international and national levels. At the same time, another aim is to share Georgia’s experience of restorative justice practices integrated in the framework of alternative mechanisms to juvenile criminal proceedings.

The Conference gathers international and national experts, practitioners with multi-year experience and professionals in matters of restorative justice and alternative mechanisms to criminal proceedings. The participants will have the opportunity to hear views of international experts on key subject matters, share their own experiences and take part in thematic discussions concerning ways of successful implementation and expansion of restorative justice approaches in the justice systems.

The key themes of the Conference will cover the bellow topics:

• The Role of Restorative Justice in Criminal Matters and Main Aspects for the Implementation of the Venice Declaration
• Alternative Mechanisms to Juvenile Criminal Prosecution and Restorative Justice (Diversion & Mediation Programme, legislation, quality assurance, achievements, practices & challenges) – Sharing the experience of Georgia
• Legal regulations and international best practices in alternative mechanisms to criminal prosecution for juveniles and adults in conflict with the law and restorative justice;
• Victim support, trauma and trauma-focused approaches in restorative justice processes;
• Restorative Justice and Criminal Justice (Adults & Juvenile Justice), Key Aspects for the Implementation of the Venice Declaration, Legal Framework, International Experience;

• The Role of Judges, Prosecutors and Lawyers in Restorative Justice;
• The Role of Restorative Justice in Rehabilitation-Resocialization Process & Services for Persons in Conflict with the Law (Adults & Juveniles);
• Role and Practices of Restorative Justice in Violent Crimes (in matters Involving adults and in matters involving children);
• Restorative Justice Programmes in International Perspective and its Implementation Aspects, including on the Sentencing Stage (Adults, Juveniles);
• Continuous Learning and Training for Practitioners of Restorative Justice, Experience of Georgia, International Approaches and Standards;
• The Role of Community & Awareness-Raising for the Development of Restorative Justice.

Registration

The Conference will be held in Radisson Blu Iveria hotel and host international experts and up to 150 professionals   from Georgia and invited countries. For participation in the Conference,

please register though the link. In the registration form, please indicate if you wish to share your country’s experience on the key thematic areas of the Conference. 

The deadline for registration to the Conference is 26 September 2023. Please note that registration will be closed once the maximum number of participants is reached. Working languages: Georgian and English.

Please see the draft agenda through the link.

Kindly refer to the details pertaining to the invited international experts via this link.