This session will approach restorative practices as a systemic change that can encourage peaceful coexistence and as a practical strategy to interrupt cycles of violence that create lasting peace. Restorative practices (the lifestyle) encompasses restorative justice, the criminal justice system's response to wrongdoing. When used over time, restorative practices create a safe space such that parties to conflict are more willing to walk away from retribution and embrace responsibility, respect and relationship above individuality and selfishness, easily repairing harm and fostering seamless reintegration.

Pre-registration is required

Speaker: Dianne Williams

Dianne Williams brings a wide range of international conflict-related training experience. She has a strong background in the Caribbean and Latin America, in particular around criminology, peace and conflict studies, conflict resolution, mediation, restorative practices, restorative justice and cultural competency. In her previous life she was a criminologist and consultant and has done coursework at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government, the International Institute for Restorative Practices as well as the National Defense University William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies, where she is a rostered adjunct instructor.

Williams is a clinically certified criminal justice specialist, a certified sentence mitigation specialist, a certified social and behavioral research investigator and a certified mediator. She is a licensed trainer of trainers in restorative practices, a crime prevention through community engagement and a crime prevention through environmental design specialist. Dr. Williams has numerous publications and co-authored the 2012 United Nations Human Development Report for Trinidad and Tobago.

Questions? Email Maria R. Volpe at mvolpe@jjay.cuny.edu