Restorative Justice Association of BC (RJABC) is excited to host its 4th Provincial Restorative Justice Symposium (PRJS). The 2026 Provincial Restorative Justice Symposium is an immersive gathering designed to strengthen the restorative justice movement across the province.
This year’s symposium theme “Many Voices, Connecting Circles” centers the power of dialogue to bridge divides and foster holistic restoration. This theme acknowledges that while our stories are diverse, our healing is interconnected. We invite practitioners, educators, legal professionals, and community partners to explore how restorative justice can address complex harms and rebuild trust within our diverse communities.
The 2026 PRJS Planning Committee is seeking workshop presenters for the inperson symposium to be held on September 22-23, 2026, in Burnaby, BC.
We are looking for:
- 8 workshops 90 minutes in length. These workshops would be for lectures, panels, or short discussions. AND
- 4 workshops 120 minutes in length. These workshops would be for experiential, skill focused, group activity, or facilitated practice sessions.
Areas of Interest
The following is a list of topics that will be prioritized this year. This list is not exhaustive and all ideas are welcome.
- Youth and Schools: Utilizing restorative practices as both a preventative and responsive tool to address bullying and to enhance and build healthy school climates.
- Neurodivergence: Developing responsive, neuro-affirming practices that adapt to individual needs.
- Mental Health: Developing restorative justice practices and services that support mental health and well-being.
- Victims and Survivors: Honoring interconnection by centering the needs of those harmed, ensuring they have the agency, voice, and real choices in their justice path.
- Incarcerated Individuals: Exploring the realities of re-entry and the power of accountability through a lens of diversity, human dignity, and community support and accountability for those within and returning from the carceral system.
- Community Workers and Volunteers: Supporting the interconnected ecosystem of frontline Restorative Justice staff and volunteers through training and capacity-building.
- Bridging Across Differences: Addressing conflict and identity-based tensions through community-led dialogue that supports co-liberatory and meaningful cross-cultural relations.
Apply to Present
Applications must be submitted using this form by June 1, 2026. Applicants will be informed of the planning committee’s decision by June 30, 2026.
Selected presenters will be invited to an online chat to meet one another and hear the Workshop Selection Committee share tips for a successful workshop based on feedback from past symposiums.
Workshop presenters have symposium registration fees waived for up to three presenters per workshop. Workshops are offered on a volunteer basis; however, we understand that some presenters may require financial support to attend. Please note that while all requests will be considered, funding support is extremely limited and not guaranteed.
Thank you,
PRJS Workshop Selection Committee
For questions contact: training@rjabc.ca
