Maltese youth will be encouraged to choose dialogue and reconciliation on retribution through a restorative justice program launched today.

Restorative justice refers to a criminal justice system that focuses on the rehabilitation of offenders through reconciliation with victims and the community at large.

The initiative is being led by the Malta Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society (MFWS), the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Education.

Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis said the government, along with the MFWS, had decided to embark on the project in order to address the “disconnect between the country’s institutions and the community”.

“We plan to introduce a series of restorative justice programs that will have an impact on the criminal justice process,” he said, adding that the current system has often been criticized for being too punitive.

“What we are empowering today will empower students to resolve conflicts alone or in small groups. Fortunately, there are resources to train educators in the field of restorative justice and to develop a plan, ”said Zammit Lewis.

Justice Minister Edward Zammit Lewis

MFWS Chair Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said the foundation wanted to bring about a change in the mindset of society by “focusing children and empowering them with the tools to improve their communication skills, empathize, they can hear and speak better in such a way that they will ultimately help to resolve conflicts and understand each other’s differences. ‘

The initiative will see Restorative Practice Circles created to provide a “learning opportunity” for students to build emotional skills, leading to better emotional literacy.

Education Minister Justyne Caruana stressed that the program will have a direct impact on children, making them better citizens.

The program was developed with the help of anthropologist Susan Hirsch, a professor of conflict resolution at George Mason University in Washington DC.

Such programs have led to promising results in reducing antisocial behavior among children.

“Investing in children in this way will lead to a change in the sustainable and long-term mentality for the whole country,” concluded Coleiro Preca.

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