Guyana is moving a step closer to advancements in restorative justice, with the addition of some 20 Restorative Justice Officers/Convenors now undergoing training.
The opening ceremony for the second cohort training of Restorative Justice Officers/Convenors was held on Tuesday at the Police Training Centre, Camp Road, Georgetown.
The initiative is hosted by the Attorney General’s Chambers and Ministry of Legal Affairs, and the Government of Guyana, in collaboration with the High Commission of Canada to Guyana (under the Canada-CARICOM Expert Deployment Mechanism).
Acting Chief Magistrate, Faith McGusty, called for more awareness campaigns in communities, prisons, and among policymakers, noting that the need to inform people about restorative justice is about fully acknowledging harm and working collectively to repair it in a transformative way.
“The more people understand this, the more they will trust and participate in the process. You, as the next generation of Restorative Justice Officers, you would be our most effective ambassadors. Raising awareness is not a separate task, it is embedded in the very work you are about to begin. As you embark on this training, know that you’re a part of movement– one filled with empathy, accountability…Let us walk forward together, in our shared commitment for a more just and restorative Guyana.”
Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Sebastien Sigouin, said the initiative is a testament to the strong cooperation between Guyana and Canada. He stressed the importance of collaboration as a means of improving access to justice, noting that restorative justice has been used as a form of resolving conflicts and disputes around the world for decades.
“Through dialogue between the victims, the offenders and the communities, it’s often the only way to find a lasting solution. It’s the only way for communities to heal, to move on, and to rebuild. It’s really essential for peaceful and safe societies. Canada’s partnership with Guyana goes beyond today’s initiative. We actually have a very long history of cooperation…to improve justice for the most vulnerable members of society. We’ve also worked with Guyana and other CARICOM countries to modernise their legal systems, during proof case management, to reduce judicial backlogs and to enhance the delivery of justice across the region,” he noted.
Sigouin further highlighted that Guyana has shown significant progress in making justice more accessible to communities.
Training facilitator, Allan Howard, in his remarks, said the dream of restorative justice is now becoming reality in a way that is shaping the future.
“It is truly amazing the things that we’re seeing, knowing are happening, and that restorative justice is bringing back. It was almost lost in history. The things that we wished could never have happened, but is now being re-founded…Congratulations Nicole Forde-Clarke for her first restorative justice case that she presented the closing of, to the magistrate yesterday,” he noted.
Restorative Justice Officer, Bhim Ramkissoon, in his remarks, noted that part of the system is to repair harm and rebuild relationships.
The opening of the training session
