Circles also take referrals directly from the community, such as. Theoretical underpinnings circles intend to build community by restoring relationships that have been injured by exclusion, inequity, harm or other divisions. Peacemaking circles are a specific methodology, defined by an inner underlying values and outer structural elements, such as the talking piece, keeper, guidelines and ceremony framework, that works toward a circle meeting with all involved participants present where stories, experiences and emotions can be shared in a safe environment. Restorative justice is successfully used with youth and adults, and for all kinds of situations, from minor acts to serious violence. As a social justice organization, circles of peace is committed to advancing a. A council would meet and discuss the nature of the problem, or crime, and every one would speak to the issue. If you have any questions about meeting this prerequisite, contact us. To create your own peace circle, invite a few people who are either new to this concept of peacemaking or who have already participated in one of our immersive encounters to join you. The circle process is a way of getting the most complete picture people can of themselves, each other and the issue at hand to enable them to move together in a good way. Richard turere makes peace with lions ever widening circles.
Participant baseline characteristics and outcomes over the course of the 18month research study, 42 defendants and 24 victims or support persons participated in peacemaking. Since 2003, she has been facilitating small and large groups in a variety of settings that include elementaryhigh school, workplaces, private groups, corporations and religious settings. According to pastor mark batterson in his book, the circle maker, drawing prayer circles around our dreams isnt just a mechanism whereby we accomplish great things for god. We use a talking piece that is passed around the circle. The use of circles to build positive relationships and create collaborative and safe classrooms the circle format is an ancient form of communication for spiritual, political and communal life and is found throughout world traditions. In this groundbreaking book, the authors outline both the spirit and the structures that make up the peacemaking circle process as it is used in communities.
The fundamentals with dr evelyn zellerer or equivalent day introductory peacemaking circles training for example with barry stuart, evelyn zellerer or kay pranis. Ive read two more books about rj which are restrorative circles in schools and the restorative practices handbook. The best books on peace five books expert recommendations. It tells the story of a youth development program, known as roca, that serves high risk young people in one of the most dense, impoverished, ethnically diverse and troubled communities in the u. The book is inspiring people worldwide to come together in a good way to work out whatever issues they face. These books are wonderful reads in their own right, and used within you art and math explorations they add an extra element of storytelling to your childrens experience. Many modern cultures are rediscovering the power of circles for healing, community building and peacemaking. Circles have a wide array of uses and purposes both in and out of the juvenile justice system. The foundation from kay pranis and the little book of circles.
Successfully used restorative justice is successfully used with youth and adults, and for all kinds of situations, from minor acts to serious violence. When i watched the ted talk we are pointing you to today, called my invention that made peace with lions, i immediately wanted to run out to find the smartest 15yearold i could and ask them how to solve some of the worlds most vexing problems. It also outlines the reasons that circles are good ways to promote healing and accountability. Peacemaking circles offers a core understanding of talking circles, which are indigenous in origin. Advanced peacemaking circles training peace of the circle.
In his book, he argued for a much more generous peace, not out of a desire for justice or fairness these are aspects of the peace that keynes does not. After the first world war, keynes attended the paris peace conference of 1919 as a delegate of the british treasury. Tell us how you came to write the glorious art of peace. The center for court innovation operates two peacemaking programsone in red hook, brooklyn, and the other in syracuse, n. Jun 11, 2014 precious blood centers peacemaking circle. Peace making and restorative circles are powerful restorative justice processes designed to help the victim of a crime and the offender along their healing journey. A sample peacemaking circle process for reflecting and. Circles bring together people as equals for honest exchanges about the challenges each has. They can be used as a practice in schools and communities for building relationships and changing community cultures as well as a community. Accessible and practical, yet solidly grounded in principle, peacemaking circles explains how and why circles work in terms that we all can understand and put into practice. The outlinescript below could be utilized for a range of student ages. Wccc takes referrals from the court and community to help clients take responsibility for their actions, repair harm, and with volunteers, work. Carolyn boyeswatson the director of the center for restorative justice at suffolk university explores how the circle process is being used by a remarkably innovative youth center outside boston.
Circle processes is a really good reference for anyone looking to learn a bit about the benefit of working in circles. Circles of peace is an approach to domestic violence that uses peacemaking circle techniques and restorative practices to bring individuals who have been abusive together with willing family members, support persons, a trained professional facilitator, and community volunteers. Various restorative processes have been developed such as peacemaking circles, conferencing, mediation and tribunals. Peacemaking circles is a process that brings people together who wish to participate in conflict resolution, support, decision making or provide a space to acknowledge responsibility for ones behavior. In 2000, coates, umbreit, and vos, did an evaluation of a circle process in south st.
Peacemaking circles provide a way to bring people together to have difficult conversations, to work through conflict or differences and to build relationships. The circle is a process that brings together individuals who wish to engage in conflict resolution, healing, support, decision making or other activities in which honest communication, relationship development, and community building are core desired outcomes. The process is never about changing others, but rather is an invitation to change ones. Just make a mark and see where it takes you is wise advice vashtis teacher gives to her and us. The kinds of circles i am speaking of include 4 stages, keeper, consensus, talking peace, center, values. Do you ever sense that theres far more to prayer, and to gods vision for your life, than what. Reynolds this is the book to read with any child who thinks they cant draw, theyre no good at art, or prefectionists who dont draw for fear of it not turning out right. Restorative practices build social capital through participatory decision making duration. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading heart of hope. The economic consequences of the peace 1919 is a book written and published by the british economist john maynard keynes.
This peacemaking practice draws on the ancient native american tradition of a talking piece and combines that with concepts of democracy. It tells the story of a youth development program, known as roca, that serves high risk young people roca uses circles as an essential, democratic, decision making process. Roca uses circles as an essential, democratic, decision making process as well as a respectful and. This is the foundational text for anyone engaged in circles or desiring to bring circles into some area of their lives. Together, we can make sure that families and children receive the vital services they need. Healing circles are functional blends of mechanics and magic. This book explores the peacemaking potential of a storytelling practice drawn from ancient native american traditions using a talking peace. Transforming community spaces through equitable collaboration frank dukes and leanne nurse. A lovely primer to peace circles and restorative justice. Their adaptation to the criminal justice system developed in the 1980s as first nations peoples of the yukon and local justice officials attempted to build closer ties between the community and the formal justice system. We are a nonprofit volunteerbased organization practicing restorative justice circles to address crime and conflict in our communities.
Circles of peace is an approach to domestic violence that uses peacemaking circle techniques and restorative practices to bring individuals who have been abusive together with willing family members, support persons, a. Rocas esol and ged teachers build on the topics and sentiments that come up in the peace circles through writing assignments and related readings. Circles of peace now represents a model for discussion and replication across the nation. Memos and peacemaker institute international memos and peacemaker circle guidelines peacemaker circles use five simple guidelines that facilitate healing and transformative communication among people of all backgrounds. The peacemaking circle is a process that brings together individuals who wish to engage in conflict resolution, healing, support, decision making or other. Peacemaking circles also called healing circles, circles of understanding, sentencing circles or circles. It is clear that the way to heal society of its violence. It tells the story of a youth development program, known as roca, that serves high risk young people roca uses circles as an essential, democratic, decision making process as well as a respectful and powerful way of communicating. The mission of circles of peace is to offer innovative treatment options that contribute to ending the cycle of abuse for individuals, families and communities.
It has been adapted for discussion and decision making by. You can hold circles to build community to resolve conflict. The authors are world experts in this field and really came up with an excellent book. Though the book relates the process to criminal justice, the explanantion of. Transformation, growth and selfdiscovery can be multiplied when we keep from a grounded center in the practice and elements of restorative justice peacemaking circle process. Their findings determined that circles resulted in accountability, awareness and support from the community, and that the process was greatly recommended by victims and offenders, previously engaged in the process. Making it work accountability and implementing circle consensus. Kays intention in her work is to create spaces in which people can be in more loving connection with each other. Peacemaking circles intentionally create a sacred space that lifts barriers between people, opening fresh possibilities for connection, collaboration, and understanding. Consensus decision making is also important, as it honors the values and principles of peacemaking circles and helps participants to stay grounded in them. There are very few bookshops which have a peace section.
To initiate peace circles, an organization needs to become clear about its core values and understand how the circles advance these values. This book outlines why circles are used for therapy sessions, the criminal justice system and in school settings. Circles in washington county are created in partnership with the justice system, and create a respectful space to support victims, develop sentencing agreements for clients, and empower all interested community members to work toward preventing future occurrences of crime. Peacemaking circles lays out the core elements of the circle process, written by leading circle trainers and practitioners. A timetested paradigm for healing relationships and keeping the. The eastern mennonite university in virginia is offering a series of classes related to peace and circle processes in a nontribal context. Definitely has very specific contexts with its examples and narratives, but is still able to pull out the lessons, values, techniques, and methods of circle groups for various other applications.
The goal here is on the one hand to share the pain, to give the support persons and community a better understanding of what. A newold approach to peacemaking the little books of justice and peacebuilding series little books of justice. These circles can hold the tensions and emotions that contribute to healing. Howard zehr, author of the little book of restorative justice and changing lenses the authors kay pranis, barry stuart, and mark wedge bring significant experiences with. There needs to be 100 percent buyin and commitment from the leadership to invest resources in staff training and a process of incorporating peace circles into the organizational culture. I recommand this book very highly, it really gives some great insight and practical advice regarding circle processes, and especially peacemaking circles. Facilitated by trained peacemakers from the community, peacemaking sessions enable those affected by a dispute to talk it out and reach agreement about restitution and repair. Healing circles are held to support one or more people, who have gone through a painful experience e. Peacekeeper circles is a preventative restorative practice assisting classrooms with community building, conflict resolution and classroom management. Peacemaking circles differ according to the participants role and the aim of the process. Wccc takes referrals from the court and community to help clients take responsibility for their actions, repair harm, and with volunteers, work towards building a better community. Indeed, it might be worth asking oneself in which department my book would go. Its a mechanism whereby god accomplishes great things in us. Circles of peace circles center on violence and recovery.
Circles are found in the native american cultures of the united states and canada, and are used there for many purposes. A guide for using peacemaking circles to develop emotional literacy, promote healing and build healthy relationships. Peace circles a guide to facilitating and utilizing peace circles overview p. Consensus decision making honors the egalitarian principle of peace circles and ensures that everyone feels they have been heard and their opinion respected. This is a super read about the wonderful creativity inside all of us. In peacemaking circles also called sentencing circles, all this changes. Each person would get their own creating peace journal or another study or book of your choosing to go through at their own pace. Peacemaking circles by mark wedge, barry stuart, kay pranis. Peacemaking circles and urban youth illustrates the power of circles in a unique environment. I can learn from others mistakes and they can learn from mine. Peacemaking circles lays out the core elements of the circle process, written by.
Carolyn and kay provide whole circles with openings, closings, checkin questions, discussion questions, artinfused activities, and explanations. These guidelines are principles and practices that we do our best to honor, despite any difficulties we might encounter. Opening and closing circles institute for educational. This guide describes a simple, sample format for a healing circle that includes four sectionsa welcome, a heartsharing round, a learning round, and a close. Kiri is a trained circle keeper and facilitator for community and school peace circles, circles of ten, restorative justice, and peacekeeper. Reviews and comments heart of hope is like instant circle.
It is being implemented in schools, communities, workplaces and justice. And i suppose, in a pinch, one could use the book as a talking piece too. Whoever has the talking piece talks, and everyone else listens. Foyles has 280 shelves on war, and less than one on peace, although 40 shelves where you might find a book on peace.