Written By Dominic Cawili

The Inafa’ Maolek Conciliation along with University of Guam’s School of Business and Public Administration hosted the Restorative Justice Forum in celebration of Conflict Resolution Day.

The forum provided a comparable overview of the restorative justice process in Guam communities and schools.

UOG President Robert Underwood opened the event with welcoming remarks.

The first half of the forum featured a panel of professionals, including Chief Justice Robert J. Torres, Deputy Attorney General Carol Sanchez, Guam Community College adjunct professor and small business owner Art De Oro and Founder and President Emeritus of Inafa’ Maolek, Patrick Wolff.

Each speaker gave their insight on what restorative justice means to the island and how it would benefit every member in our society.

Restorative justice

According to the Centre for Justice and Reconciliation, restorative justice is “a theory of justice that emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. It is best accomplished through cooperative processes that…can lead to transformation of people, relationships and communities.”

Also discussed by most of the panel speakers were how successful peer mediation programs work in schools.

Peer mediation, not the same as restorative justice, still has somewhat similar motives in treating school-related issues or crimes.

“It gives our youth the opportunity to engage in this process,” Executive Director of the forum, Christina Noket said. “So that they become better citizens. They can understand the consequences of their actions, and move towards a more peaceful community.”

The guests, mostly criminal justice majors, plan to use the knowledge they gained as they pursue their goals for Guam’s justice program and its communities.