Education: Time for Change
Thanking educators who are making a difference in the lives of so many, and acknowledging parents and caregivers who are homeschooling. Schools have reopened yet we remain in a time of transition. Education, like other institutions, require change moving...
Physically Apart, Yet Still Together
Although we must stay physically apart at this time, we are still interconnected. Now is a time to consciously engage with ourselves and with each other. We can be distant yet not disengaged. Virtual Circles Uplifted by our Virtual Circles, one from...
Thank You All Essential Workers
We appreciate you, your work and dedication! You are not alone. We are all in this together. Feel free to print and display our Thank You sign anywhere you'd like! Here's a digital PDF download: Thank You Essential Workers Sign - (Download) You can also share...
Highlights of 2019
Celebrating highlights of 2019 and acknowledging our wonderful hosts and partners around the world!
From Nepal to Kwadacha Nation…
International Restorative Justice Week & Beyond
Restorative Justice Week Working with restorative justice programs Resources Restorative Justice Week The origins of RJ week can be traced to England where in 1975, prison chaplaincies created one day to remember incarcerated men and women, "Prisoner's Sunday". The...
Highlights of 2018
We have the privilege of working with amazing people and organizations around the world! Celebrating a few highlights from 2018: Brazil - Training Judges What a privilege spending a week with 100 judges - federal and representatives from every state in Brazil. Dr....
Restorative Justice in Brazil
By Dr Evelyn Zellerer What a privilege to spend a week with about 100 judges, federal and representatives from every state in Brazil. I was invited to train judges in restorative justice at the national magistrates school, ENFAM - Escola Nacional de Formação e...
Inspired in Nepal
I just completed a whirlwind trip to learn, contribute and create with our growing circle of international colleagues. It included Nepal; a beautiful, complex, relatively small country. It lies between Tibet and India, with a population of 29 million. Kathmandu is the...
Humanity in the face of Extremism
The rise of extremism and hate crimes is disturbing. The question is, how do we effectively respond? And in answering that, we need to…
Mauritius – Peace in Diversity
Imagine Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, Jews, and Atheists living harmoniously together? Welcome to the Republic of Mauritius. “We just recognise the right of everyone to be different and we live with these differences and sometimes we find them to be a source...
South Africa – Possibilities for the Future
Possibilities - that was the word that kept coming up while in South Africa. The ancientness of the land and humanity is palpable. And currently there are many struggles, especially economic, in this post-apartheid era. Yet I was most aware of the limitless...
Behind the Curtain of Iran
I received an unexpected invitation to speak at the first restorative justice conference in Iran. My answer was an immediate “yes”. The journey began in getting my visa and discovering Canada had closed its embassy in Iran as well as all Iranian embassy services in...
Creating a Kinder World: A Tribute to 2015 and Inspiration for 2016
We’re inundated with news of violence, trauma and drama. Yet we are also choosing so much kindness, nonviolence and the miraculous. This tribute shares 10 courageous and heart-warming choices people made in 2015. From kids to the elderly, homeless people and doctors,...
Calling for a Smart Justice Approach
Guest Post written by Smart Justice Network of Canada (SJNC) - a non-partisan, non-profit network of volunteers from different walks of life and communities across Canada. We are working together to promote a different approach to criminal and social justice. One that...
Peace of the Circle – Ancient, New, Simple and Profound
Gathering in circles has been a part of human experience throughout the ages. Our ancestors gathered around the fire to share and survive. In the midst of our technologically advanced yet fractured world, Peace of the Circle is emerging as something ancient and new,...
Peace of the Circle Around the World
Peacemaking circles are a structured yet flexible approach to communication, suitable for a wide range of purposes and settings. Grateful for the amazing people and places this work brings us. Sharing and celebrating highlights of 2014: Schools Continuing to work with...
Mind the Gap – a way forward
I just spent a month in England, facilitating peacemaking circles trainings and public speaking. While in London riding the tube, we hear “Mind the Gap” whenever the doors to the train open. It got me reflecting on the gap between what is and what is possible. I...
Restorative Justice Week – Inspiring Innovation!
Happy Restorative Justice Week! Restorative Justice Week was initiated by Correctional Service Canada and has been celebrated since 1996. It's now gaining international attention - time to call it International Restorative Justice Week! We’ve come a long way. Let’s...
Smart Justice – An Invitation
It's abundantly clear that the justice system has many limitations and 'get tough' approaches to crime are ineffective. Rather than focusing on what doesn't work, I'm always interested in creating what does work. Hence I was intrigued to be invited to join the Smart...
Love and Human Rights
Millions celebrate LGBT Pride around the world (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender; there are variations, such as LGBTQI - adding queer and intersex). As I post this, Reykjavik Pride just wrapped up in Iceland and more events are about to start in Quebec Canada....