On 12th and 13^th October 2023, an international conference on the role of restorative justice in criminal matters took place in Tbilisi. The conference was organised by the Council of Europe, UNICEF and the European Union together with the Ministry of Justice of Georgia and the General Prosecutor’s Office of Georgia.

Distinguished experts, policymakers and practitioners, from the Council of Europe member states and other countries have convened together with the Georgian authorities and legal professionals during this international conference. The primary objective of the event was to facilitate a dialogue on restorative justice centred around community needs and the promotion of the role and benefits of restorative justice in criminal matters, by providing a response beyond penal sanctions.

The conference contributed to promoting restorative justice standards and entailed discussions about the main elements and practical aspects of the Committee of Ministers Recommendation (2018)8 concerning restorative justice in criminal matters and the Venice Declaration on the Role of Restorative Justice in Criminal matters, as well as strategies for their implementation.

The conference featured presentations, panels, and discussions focusing on crucial aspects of the use, development and impact of restorative justice. Over the course of two days, the participants had the opportunity to gain insights from the best practices and the programs in the field of restorative justice from different European countries. The conference encouraged conversations centred on victim support and a trauma-informed approach within restorative justice, with professionals sharing valuable perspectives on safeguarding the participants and empowering victims while addressing their needs.

The conference also offered international best practices on the practical implementation of restorative justice programs at various stages of legal proceedings and stimulated discussions on the ongoing need for education and training for restorative justice professionals and to increase awareness of restorative justice among the public. The event also highlighted the role of restorative justice in the rehabilitation and reintegration of individuals involved in criminal activities, including those implicated in violent crimes and the positive impact of restorative justice on the community. During the conference, the critical role of communities in shaping solutions to crime and in promoting dialogue between victims and offenders has also been underlined.

The conference provided a unique platform for discussions, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing among legal professionals involved in restorative justice in order to enable the development of a common understanding of the meaning and purpose of restorative justice.

The conference was organised by the Council of Europe Project “Promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution Mechanisms in Georgia.”