Projects of the European Union's ADELANTE Programme know the benefits of Restorative Justice
On 13 November 2019, at the Centro Cívico para la Paz de Guararí, in Heredia, Costa Rica, the Regional Project Strengthening Restorative Justice was presented to international representatives of the European Union's ADELANTE Programme.
This event was held as part of the Third Meeting of ADELANTE Projects, initiated by Magistrate Rafael Segura Bonilla, who welcomed the participants as Coordinator of the Regional Project Strengthening Restorative Justice.
The coordinators of the 7 projects that make up this programme, from Argentina, Spain, Uruguay, Colombia and Chile, participated in this activity, together with members of The ADELANTE Technical Assistance.
It started with a Restoration Circle where experiences in this area and the importance of community intervention were presented through group dynamics and talks.
The Magistrate of the Criminal Cassation Chamber and Coordinator of the Restorative Justice Programme, Rafael Segura Bonilla, highlighted the importance of teaching the participants what restorative justice consists of and what is done in practice.
"This visit was paid to the Civic Center that belongs to the Ministry of Justice and Peace, where we have important articulations to attend young people and adults who are part of the programme. It is important for them to know that there are different alternatives through which people can be reintegrated into society so that new alliances can be made with other institutions," said Magistrate Segura.
Cristian Brisqcani, from the International Italian-American Organization, mentioned that it was a very valuable experience, which can be promoted in the countries of Central America. "It is wonderful to see that in Costa Rica we have managed to raise it to public policy and that very good results have been achieved".
Mrs Lucy Larrosa, coordinator of the Mirada Ciudadana Project in Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Uruguay said: "I find the methodology they are working on fascinating; it really aims at restoring social harmony within the communities, without using punishment; it focuses on the will of the parties to understand each other; this experience can be replicated in other countries".
