The Universal Declaration of Human Rights  ensures education as a basic human right. This means every living person has the right to get an education to develop themselves. However, systematic and historical barriers, such as poverty, geographical disparities, racial discrimination, and biased socioeconomic policies, have made access to quality education challenging for marginalized populations. In   2022 , white students comprised 44.5 percent of school statistics while Hisp

Long before the language of “restorative justice” entered mainstream policy discussions, the Diné (Navajo) people were practicing a relational approach  to conflict that prioritizes harmony, healing, and community responsibility. Navajo peacemaking  — often enacted in circle-based peacekeeping or peacemaking gatherings — centers restoration of balance (hozhó) rather than assignment of blame. In the context of modern restorative justice practice, these gatherings offer both a

At Why Restorative Justice (WhyRJ), we’re honored to collaborate with facilitators whose lived experience and professional insight deepen the field of restorative work. Dawn Molitor  – a special educator of 24 years, founder of   Molitor Consultation , and a facilitator with WhyRJ  – recently published a powerful reflection on her journey toward restorative justice practice in special education. Learn more about Dawn’s background on her WhyRJ bio page . In her piece, Dawn tra

In the context of Māori culture, the concept of relationship—both between people and between people and land—is central to understanding what restorative practice means, such as is found in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Restorative practices emphasize healing, accountability, and the strengthening of relationships rather than punishment and exclusion. In Māori tikanga  (societal practices) and the philosophy of whanaungatanga  (relationships and belonging), embeds core Māori beliefs

Schools have increasingly become more than places for just academic learning—they are communities where students develop social,...

The WhyRJ Intro to Restorative Practices Workshop was a revelation coming from a background in the punitive school system.

Learn how restorative practices in schools center on building positive relationships and creating supportive learning environments.

The roots of RJ can be traced back to indigenous communities as their go-to method for addressing conflict and repairing harm.

Indigenous communities around the world have practiced restorative justice for millennia for community involvement and repairing harm.