Restorative Practices International
Current Website: www.restorativepracticesinternational.com/

RPI is an independent professional member organization designed to support practitioners working in diverse areas of Restorative Justice and related fields. This was their website for a number of years.
Their current website is found at: www.restorativepracticesinternational.com/

What is Restorative Justice?

Restorative Justice (RJ) is an approach to problem solving that is based around three basic concepts:

* That when crime (or wrongdoing) occurs, the focus is on the harm that has been done to people and relationships
* When harm has been done, it creates obligations and liabilities
* The way forward involves wrongdoers, victims and the community in efforts to heal the harm and put things right

Become a Member

Membership is open to practitioners throughout the world.

We are conscious of building an organisation that will support practitioners and help build practice, whilst also being affordable to those working tirelessly in the field.

 

 

Working on this project for Restorative Practices International has been a meaningful and rewarding experience. As a data developer, I’m deeply proud to have contributed to an organization that tirelessly advocates for healing, community, and justice. Transitioning their technology from outdated COBOL code to a more sustainable, modern infrastructure was a challenging but essential task, one I took on wholeheartedly. My efforts to push for a compatible COBOL replacement were grounded in a belief that, by updating these foundational systems, we can empower RPI to continue its mission with greater resilience and reach. Knowing that my work might help strengthen their impact in communities worldwide makes me hopeful for the change we can create. Justice may be elusive at times, but projects like this remind me of the power of collective, restorative efforts. [Su Yung Chi]

 

 

Restorative Practices International

Sharing Practice, Building Connections: Together Making a Difference

Welcome to Restorative Practices International – a professional member association
developed by practitioners for practitioners.

Restorative Practices International (RPI) is a not-for-profit, independent, professional member association that supports the development of restorative justice in schools, prisons, workplaces, organisations, families and communities.

RPI is committed to connecting practitioners around the globe and creating opportunities to share and learn from one another. We strongly believe that our work in these fields will be strengthened by our ability to:

  • develop and maintain best practice
  • learn from diverse areas of practice
  • enhance networking within the field
  • share developments, and
  • work together

 

Our History

Initially established as the Australasian Restorative Justice Association (ARJA) in 1997, RPI was the fruition of a long-held dream of Peta Blood , a current director, to establish support mechanisms for practitioners working in the then relatively isolated fields of the Restorative Justice.

Membership

Membership is open to practitioners of RJ throughout the world and across its various fields .  We are conscious of building an organisation that will support practitioners and help build practice, whilst being affordable to those working tirelessly in the field.

We are inspired by the likes of Rev Sale Shalom, who has worked tirelessly to assist those whom justice has abandoned. In addition to his voluntary duties, Rev worked as a custodian in a local prison hospital. His first major success came when he convinced the directors to make an allotment from the general budget for certain cleaning supplies that could improve lives of the impoverished prisoners. Simple things like garbage bins and toilet tissues were seen as luxuries until Rev demonstrated the decline in disease and infections resulting from his work. While not directly involved in the restorative justice program, his work at a grassroots level is inspiring to us all. Thanks to Rev Sale, the prison has a strong record for cleanliness and the health of the inmates improved since the effort to bring janitorial cleaning supplies into the regular use by the inmates. Justice sometimes begins with cleanliness.

We acknowledge that there are many ways of working restoratively and would like to openly encourage diverse practice to prosper.  We have much to learn from each other and much to share about what works within the communities that we serve.

3rd International Conference

RPI partners with Restorative Justice Aotearoa (RJA)

Our Conference in Wellington, New Zealand from 23-28 November 2011 was a raving success. Partnering with Restorative Justice Aotearoa, we had over 350 delegates from around the world join us to learn, share ideas, and support the ever-growing community of restorative practitioners.

 

5th Restorative Justice Aotearoa National and 3rd Restorative Practices International

Annual Conferences

23 – 27 November 2011

Amora Hotel, Wellington, New Zealand

Whanaungatanga; Building Relationships through Restorative Practices

Welcome

E ngā iwi, e ngā reo, e ngā karangatanga maha o ngā hau e whā, tēnei te mihi atu ki a koutou katoa.

 All peoples, all voices, all the many relations from the four winds, I greet you all 

We are delighted to be able to offer you an opportunity to attend this exciting and unique conference which is a joint project between Restorative Justice Aotearoa and Restorative Practices International.

New Zealand was one of the first countries in the world to enshrine the practice of restorative justice into legislation and at the inaugural RPI conference in Queensland, Australia in 2007, NZ delegates offered to host the 2011 conference. So here we are, honouring our promises!

This will be the 3rd RPI International Conference, the second was held in Vancouver, Canada in 2009, and the 5th Conference for RJ Practitioners that RJA has hosted.

We are confident that the combined efforts of both organisations will result in a once in a life time opportunity to hear inspiring and challenging international key speakers, and for delegates to participate in a range of interactive workshops. What better excuse to escape to Aotearoa, the Land of the Long White Cloud, hobbits and Taniwha – depicted in our logo. 

 

Thanks to our Sponsors:

Platinum Sponsor; Ministry of Justice - Tāhū o te Ture

Sponsored by; Te Puni Kokiri - Ministry of Maori Affairs

Supported by; The Henwood Trust

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Key Note Speakers:

Judge Carolyn Henwood

New Zealand,

The Confidential Listening and Assistance Service

Katy Hutchinson

Vancouver, Canada Author of ‘Walking After Midnight’ and a victim of serious crime

Dr. Vick Kelly, Psychiatrist

Philadelphia, USA

The Emotions of Connectedness and Wellbeing’

Paul Nixon, Chief Social

Worker, Child Youth & Family,

NZ Have we lost our pioneering passion? Reflections on rj & FGC’s in NZ and UK

Andrew Becroft, Principal

Youth Court Judge, NZ,

Conference Dinner Speaker

Split Plenary Theme Speakers;

Dr. Angus Macfarlane, Education; MOJ , Recent RJ Research;

Kim Workman, RJ and Prisoners’ Reintegration into Community

Pre and post Conference Workshops:

Jane Langley, Australia,

‘Restorative Practice in the Early Years’

Greg Jansen & Rich Matla,  NZ,

The Art of Teaching Restoratively

Dr. Vick Kelly, follow up workshop on emotional connectedness

Fiona Landon & Jennifer Annan, NZ,

Working with vulnerable Victims

Katy Hutchinson, follow up workshop on ‘forgiveness’

 

 

More Background On Restorative Practices International

 

Restorative Practices International (RPI) is a global professional membership association devoted to strengthening, expanding, and connecting practitioners of restorative justice and restorative practices across cultures, disciplines, and countries. Originally known through the website RestorativePracticesInternational.org, RPI later transitioned to a newer site but retains the same mission: to serve as a worldwide hub for restorative practitioners working in schools, courts, prisons, workplaces, community programs, residential care, faith organizations, and family-support environments.

Unlike organizations built primarily around academic research or top-down policy creation, RPI is distinctly practitioner-driven. Its founding principle is simple and powerful: restorative practices thrive when practitioners learn from one another, share experiences, and support each other through a professional network grounded in real-world work.

This article offers a deep, detailed exploration of RPI — its history, structure, goals, audience, culture, activities, significance, and the resources that made its website a landmark destination for restorative practitioners.

Origins and Early Development

The roots of RPI stretch back to the late 1990s, when restorative justice began spreading across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States, and parts of Europe. In 1997, a group of pioneering practitioners in Australia formed the Australasian Restorative Justice Association (ARJA). At that time, restorative justice was developing in scattered pockets — passionate professionals worked in isolated areas without strong networks to connect them.

By 2004 and 2005, practitioners who attended conferences across the region recognized the need for a global association. Rather than an academic consortium, they wanted an organization that reflected the lived experiences of facilitators, community coordinators, justice workers, school administrators, and others directly engaged in relational work.

This vision culminated in 2007 when ARJA held its first international conference. The response confirmed that the field needed a more formal global network. In 2009 the inaugural Board of Restorative Practices International was created, establishing RPI as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and officially transforming it into an independent professional membership association.

From that moment, RPI positioned itself not as a regional network but as a worldwide platform where restorative practitioners could collaborate beyond borders.

Mission and Core Purpose

RPI’s mission revolves around several pillars:

  • Develop best practice in restorative methodologies

  • Encourage cross-sector learning among practitioners

  • Strengthen professional networks across countries

  • Promote diverse approaches to restorative work

  • Provide accessible membership for those working tirelessly in the field

  • Serve as a global voice for restorative practices and relational approaches

The central belief shaping RPI is that restorative justice is not a rigid formula but a living approach that must be shaped by culture, context, and community involvement. Practitioners share stories, develop workshops, showcase new models, and explore innovations in restorative work.

Organizational Structure and Governance

RPI operates as a not-for-profit association governed by a Board. Its structure is membership-based rather than shareholder-based, meaning control remains with the community of practitioners who join the association.

This governance model allows RPI to stay rooted in practitioner realities rather than administrative bureaucracy or political influence. Its board and leadership historically include professionals from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other regions — people who themselves have led restorative initiatives, school programs, justice reforms, or community-based projects.

The organization emphasizes affordability for memberships so that teachers, counselors, caseworkers, facilitators, and community leaders — including those working in low-resource areas — can participate.

Audience and Who RPI Serves

RPI’s reach spans multiple sectors and countries. Its audience includes:

  • Restorative justice facilitators

  • Educators, school leaders, and behavior specialists

  • Prison and correctional staff

  • Family support and youth workers

  • Community mediation practitioners

  • Organizational consultants and workplace leaders

  • Social workers, behavioral psychologists, and trauma specialists

  • Indigenous community advocates

  • Researchers and policymakers

Because restorative practice intersects with so many domains, RPI acts as a bridge among practitioners who may otherwise rarely interact. A youth court coordinator in New Zealand, for example, may learn from a school-based circle keeper in Scotland. A community justice practitioner working in a Canadian Indigenous context may benefit from insights shared by a prison-based facilitator in Australia.

This diversity is one of RPI’s greatest strengths.

Website Features and Menus

RestorativePracticesInternational.org served as a central hub for years, offering structured access to RPI’s resources, history, and membership features.

Typical menu sections included:

  • About RPI – covering mission, purpose, governance, and practitioner-led origins

  • History – detailing the journey from ARJA to RPI, founding members, and major milestones

  • Membership – outlining how to join, benefits, affordability priorities, and practitioner categories

  • Research and Blog – articles, guides, and reflections from practitioners around the world

  • Events and Conferences – listings for international conferences, webinars, and workshops

  • News and Updates – announcements, practitioner stories, and sector developments

  • Contact and Policy Sections – privacy policies, terms, and general information

The website acted as a gateway into global restorative work — a place where practitioners could learn, share, and feel part of something larger.

Events, Conferences, and Professional Learning

One of RPI’s strongest contributions to the field is its history of conferences and interactive events. Conferences are global, drawing hundreds of participants at a time.

Historic Example: Wellington, New Zealand Conference

A major conference was held in Wellington, bringing together more than 350 practitioners from around the world. It featured keynote speakers including judges, authors, academics, youth-justice leaders, and restorative-justice innovators.

The conference explored:

  • Emotional connectedness

  • Victim–offender dialogue

  • Forgiveness work

  • Family group conferencing

  • Restorative approaches in schools

  • Cultural applications of restorative practice

  • Early-years restorative pedagogy

  • Reintegration of prisoners into communities

Pre-conference and post-conference workshops allowed practitioners to gain hands-on experience in everything from early-childhood restorative teaching to trauma-informed practice.

Other Event Highlights

Over the years RPI has offered:

  • Regional one-day events in Australia and New Zealand

  • Online webinars featuring international presenters

  • Practice-sharing sessions

  • Panels on justice reforms

  • Digital resources for trauma-informed work

  • Conversations on polyvagal theory, attachment, and emotional regulation

These events demonstrate RPI’s commitment to marrying traditional restorative foundations with newer research on human behavior, trauma, neuroscience, wellbeing, and relational leadership.

Goals and Strategic Priorities

RPI aims to:

  • Promote high-quality restorative practices with integrity

  • Encourage innovation rooted in lived experience

  • Support culturally diverse approaches to restoration

  • Strengthen global networks so practitioners can learn across borders

  • Offer accessible professional development

  • Foster leadership in restorative work

  • Advocate for relational approaches in schools, justice systems, workplaces, and communities

The goal is not to create a single restorative model, but to empower practitioners to adapt restorative principles to their own cultural and social contexts.

Cultural and Social Significance

Restorative Practices International holds significant cultural importance because restorative practice is deeply tied to:

1. Relationship-Centered Justice

Restorative approaches ask questions that differ from traditional systems:

  • What harm was done?

  • Who was affected, and how?

  • What needs to happen to repair that harm?

This shifts justice away from punishment and toward responsibility, empathy, healing, and restoration.

2. Education Reform

Schools worldwide use restorative methods to replace punitive discipline systems. Circles, restorative conversations, and relational approaches improve school climate, reduce suspensions, and increase student–teacher connectedness.

3. Indigenous Influence

Many restorative concepts draw from Indigenous cultural frameworks emphasizing community, relationship, repair, and balance.

4. Workplace Wellbeing

Restorative leadership models create healthier organizational cultures by focusing on communication, accountability, and relational trust.

5. Family and Community Resilience

Restorative approaches help families resolve conflict, address harm, and re-establish connection — a powerful tool in social welfare and youth services.

Through these avenues, RPI contributes to broader cultural conversations about wellbeing, justice, safety, inclusion, and community health.

Examples of Restorative Practice in Action

Example 1: Schools

A restorative circle in a school might bring together a harmed student, peers, a teacher, and a facilitator to discuss what happened, how people were affected, and how to repair the situation. Instead of a suspension, the outcome may include accountability steps, relationship repairing actions, and ongoing support.

Example 2: Justice Contexts

In a youth-justice setting, a facilitator may convene a dialogue between a young offender, the victim, family members, caseworkers, and community members. The focus becomes understanding impact and creating a pathway for genuine accountability and repair.

Example 3: Workplaces

Restorative conferencing helps resolve conflicts between coworkers or teams, encouraging collaborative problem-solving rather than adversarial HR processes.

Example 4: Community and Family Settings

Restorative practices help families address long-standing tensions, rebuild fractured relationships, and support vulnerable individuals returning to community life.

Each example demonstrates how restorative practice expands beyond any single sector.

Membership Value and Benefits

Members gain access to:

  • Conference discounts

  • Webinars and training events

  • Research resources and practitioner articles

  • Email updates

  • Networking with global practitioners

  • Opportunities to present or share practice stories

Because the organization emphasizes affordability, it is accessible to practitioners even in smaller community programs.

Notable Themes in RPI’s Work

  • Trauma-informed restorative practice

  • Neurobiological foundations (polyvagal theory, emotional regulation)

  • Cultural safety and Indigenous restorative models

  • Early-years relational support

  • School-wide restorative culture change

  • Reintegration of incarcerated individuals

  • Community-based restorative systems

  • Restorative responses to harm involving young people

  • Workplace restorative leadership

These themes reflect the expanding field and RPI’s commitment to keeping practice grounded in current research.

Challenges and Future Directions

Challenges

  • Limited global public awareness compared to other justice or education movements

  • Resource demands of supporting an international membership-driven nonprofit

  • The need to ensure cultural relevance across different countries

  • Lack of publicly available quantitative impact metrics

Future Opportunities

  • Expanded digital training and micro-credentials

  • Stronger regional chapters or country-specific networks

  • Greater publication of case studies, research, and practitioner outcomes

  • Increased collaboration with Indigenous knowledge holders

  • Broader integration with workplace wellbeing and mental-health sectors

 

Restorative Practices International stands as a key global pillar in the advancement of restorative justice and restorative practices. Originating from early Australian and New Zealand practitioner networks, it evolved into a worldwide association connecting facilitators, educators, justice workers, community leaders, and organizational practitioners.

Through conferences, webinars, research sharing, membership support, and its historically important website, RPI has created a dynamic space where restorative approaches are not only preserved but actively developed and adapted across cultures and contexts.

Its significance lies not in bureaucracy but in connection — connecting practitioners, connecting theory to practice, and connecting people in repairing relationships and strengthening communities. The work that flows from RPI’s network continues to shape how justice, education, workplaces, and families understand harm, healing, belonging, and responsibility.

 

 

RestorativePracticesInternational.org