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Opening Ceremony: 4th International Symposium on Restorative Justice

16th June 2025, 10:00 – 13:00

Inter-community and inter-state conflicts: Peacebuilding and Reconciliation

Location: University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus) – University Ave 12-14, Pyla 7080, Auditorium 2

RJ4All is delighted to announce the formal opening ceremony of our 4th International Symposium on Restorative Justice on 16th June, 2025, which will be held at the University of Central Lancashire, Cyprus (UCLan Cyprus).

Our current world needs appeasement and reconciliation. Conflicts around the world, such as those in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, and Afghanistan, continue to claim the lives of thousands of victims, including children and women (Ayobi et al., 2020; Wardak & Braithwaite, 2020). Additionally, the ferocity and sophistication of cyberattacks around the world, and the widespread usage of Artificial Intelligence (CrowdStrike, 2024), create feelings of insecurity independently of where we live. Cyprus, our host country for this Symposium, is not spared from these issues, as it is the last and only divided capital in the European Union. The inter-community conflict since 1963, the Cypriot coup d’état and the subsequent Turkish invasion in 1974 left scars on the country, impacting the lives of generations of Cypriots.

Considering this, we decided to revive our successful tradition of hosting the International Symposia on Restorative Justice and have selected the picturesque island of Cyprus as our destination. The Symposium is established to bring together around 20 world-leading experts from around the world, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and the US, along with their families and friends, to spend the week in Cyprus and explore the theme of “Inter-community and inter-state conflicts: peacebuilding and reconciliation” through daily discussions, debates, and visits across your country.

Read the press release

We are excited to begin the week with an Opening Ceremony that is open to all. This inclusive gathering invites anyone interested to join us in setting the stage for the Symposium, engaging in the first round of discussions, and reflecting together on this year’s theme: “Inter-community and inter-state conflicts: Peacebuilding and Reconciliation.” It is an opportunity for the wider community to take part in launching a collective journey of learning, dialogue, and reflection.

Highlights of this ceremony will include two keynotes by Prof. Theo Gavrielides and Prof. John Braithwaite, a welcome speech by a representative of the Ministry of Education, as well as a panel discussion on our Symposium featuring international experts in restorative justice, peacemaking, truth and reconciliation, including members of the Organising Committee.

 

The event is free to attend, but places are limited. To reserve your place email director@rj4all.org We will allocate places on a first come basis.

Opening Ceremony Agenda

Download Agenda

Organising Committee

  • Eleonore Chaustier, Junior Research Assistant at RJ4All, France
  • Ms Sophy Gavrielides, Symposium Volunteer, Cyprus
  • Theo Gavrielides, RJ4All Founder and Director UK & Cyprus, Cyprus
  • Penelope Griffith, Executive Director of Collaborative Solutions for Communities, United States
  • Iro Michael, Project Consultant at RJ4All Europe, Cyprus
  • Lilia Psalta, Assistant Professor in Psychology/Neuroscience and Course Leader of the MSc in Forensic Psychology at UCLan Cyprus, Cyprus
  • Sofia Sideridou, Research Coordinator & RJ4All Europe Manager UK & Cyprus, Greece
  • Lorenn Walker, Director of Hawai’i Friends of Restorative Justice, United States

Symposium Sponsors and Supporters:

The organisations and companies below kindly sponsored and supported the event:  

  • UCLan Cyprus   

Local supporters:  

  • Photogramma Ltd – Nicosia, Cyprus  
  • Agios Lazaros – Larnaca, Cyprus