Harvard Negotiation Law Review
proudly presented the following Symposium on February 28th:
Restorative Justice: Theory Meets Application
The 2015 Symposium examined restorative justice from both theoretical and practical perspectives and assessed its application in different contexts — impact on victims, combating the school to prison pipeline, and transitional justice.
Click here to download a digital program with speakers’ bios.
Click here to download the speakers’ contact information.
The recordings of the Symposium panels are available below. Please ensure to download the latest version of QuickTime Player to be able to view the videos.
Program
Opening Address by Rachel Viscomi, Assistant Director of the Harvard Negotiation & Mediation Clinical Program
Watch the recording of the opening address here.
Panel 1: Bringing a Theory to Life: Origins, Expectations, and Realization
Watch the recording of the first panel here.
The panel fostered dialogue between prominent scholars of the field regarding the evolution of the theory of restorative justice, the relationship of restorative justice to other theories of punishment, and foreseen future opportunities for leveraging restorative justice in novel contexts.
Moderator: Professor Sonja Starr
Panelists: Annalise Acorn, Mark Umbreit, and Daniel Van Ness.
Panel 2: Victims in Restorative Justice
Watch the recording of the second panel here.
The panel addressed whether restorative justice was truly a “victim-centered” approach and aimed to answer the following questions: How do victims respond to restorative justice in the face of loss and suffering? Does restorative justice lead to re-traumatization? Do victims believe that justice has been served or that restorative justice is merely procedural justice?
Moderator: Daniel Van Ness
Panelists: Hon. John Cratsley (Ret.), Hon. Janine Geske (Ret.), Pierre Berastain, and Karen Lischinsky.
Panel 3: Empowering Youth Through Restorative Justice
Watch the recording of the third panel here.
The panel explored whether restorative justice can be used as a tool to prevent the school-to-prison pipeline. The panelists debated the following questions: How can restorative justice be used to divert youth away from the traditional juvenile justice systems? Under what circumstances should it be implemented? What effects does it have on the future of youth offenders, their communities, and society in general?
Moderator: Mark Umbreit
Panelists: Christine Agaiby, Chandra Banks, Hon. Jay Blitzman, and Erin Freeborn.
Afternoon Address by Dean Martha Minow
Watch Dean Minow’s address here.
Panel 4: Restorative Principles in Transitional Justice
Watch the recording of the fourth panel here.
The panel examined the application of restorative justice concepts to transitional justice, focusing on the unique challenges that such application presents. Panelists discussed their experiences of working in Africa and Sri Lanka.
Moderator: Adriaan Lanni
Panelists: Timothy Longman, Carl Stauffer, and Pushpi Weerakoon.
Keynote Address by Jamie Eldridge, Massachusetts State Senator representing the Middlesex and Worcester Districts
Mr. Eldridge is the lead sponsor of the Act Promoting Restorative Justice Practices. Watch his remarks here.
Thank You
We would like to thank our generous sponsors for their support of the 2015 Symposium!
