Organized By
Centre for Peace and Security StudiesAddis
Centre for Restorative Justice
European Forum for Restorative Justice
With thanks to our principal funder, the Balzan Foundation
A Balzan Foundation Workshop Funded by John Braithwaite’s Balzan Prize
Overview
Restorative Horizons will explore the dynamic intersections between restorative justice and the many justice traditions that coexist within and beyond formal state systems. We invite contributions that examine Indigenous, customary, spiritual, and community-based approaches to justice, as well as hybrid and plural systems that reflect the lived realities of diverse communities across the Global North and South.
Rather than positioning these systems as separate or competing, the workshop seeks to understand how restorative justice operates across traditions and how it can serve as a bridge linking them. We aim to highlight how these plural approaches contribute to sustainable peace, the healing of historical and contemporary harms, and the flourishing of communities facing complex challenges. A particular focus will be given to environmental and ecological justice, recognizing that many Indigenous and local justice systems view social harmony and environmental wellbeing as inseparable.
The workshop will move beyond academic discussion toward practical applications, engaging scholars, practitioners, and community leaders to explore how plural justice traditions can respond to today’s social, political, environmental, and economic challenges while honoring the living and often unwritten wisdom that guides and sustains communities.
Purpose
The workshop also seeks to bring together scholars from both the Global North and the Global South to engage in dialogue about shared themes that emerge in discussions of justice within community contexts, such as unequal power dynamics, representation, and voice. Too often, these issues are explored in isolation within different scholarly and cultural traditions. By fostering cross-contextual exchange, the workshop aims to bridge these divides and deepen mutual understanding of how justice is imagined and practiced across diverse settings.
Workshop Highlights
- Bridging academic discussion with practical application.
- Engaging scholars, practitioners, and community leaders.
- Touring program: Oromia Supreme Court & Indigenous elders.
- An edited volume of selected workshop papers will be published internationally.
Annual Lecture
The 2026 Annual Lecture of The International Journal of Restorative Justice on Postcolonial Hostilities, Pluralistic Orders and Restorative Justice in Lusophone Africa
Zelalem Tesfaye Sirna (Assistant Professor)
Workshop Chairperson
Miranda Forsyth (Professor)
Plenary Speaker
School of Regulation & Global Governance, Australian National University, College of Law, Governance & Policy (CLGP)
Victor Igreja (Professor)
Annual Lecture
The 2026 Annual Lecture of The International Journal of Restorative Justice on by Victor Igreja on Postcolonial Hostilities, Pluralistic Orders and Restorative Justice in Lusophone Africa
Planning Team
Workshop Chair: Zelalem Tesfaye: Balzan Project Deputy Director, Addis Ababa University & ANU Visiting Fellow
John Braithwaite: Director, Balzan Restorative Justice Project, ANU
Miranda Forsyth: ANU Centre for Restorative Justice
Emanuela Biffi: Program Coordinator, European Forum for Restorative Justice
Brunilda Pali: Chair, European Forum for Restorative Justice
Yan Zhang: Balzan Project Deputy Director, ANU
Daniel Mekonnen, Balzan fellow, ANU, AAU
Call for Ideas
We welcome a wide range of contributions that encourage innovation and diverse ways of knowing and sharing.
1
Workshop paper presentations with abstracts
2
Poster presentation abstracts
3
Skills-labs or practice-based demonstrations
4
Community circles and dialogues (e.g., Gadaa or Oda dialogues)
5
Creative or experiential formats that invite reflection
6
Innovative ideas do not fit neatly into these categories
Submission Guidelines
Please prepare a Word document including:
- Title of your proposal
- Abstract (Maximum 300 words)
- Preferred format and time (e.g., 15, 60, or 90 min)
- Contact details of presenter(s) (name, email, job title, institution)
- Biography (+/- 50 words)
Deadline: 30 April 2026
Timeline
Venue & Accommodation
Sapphire Addis Hotel
Conference Venue
Namibia Avenue, Urael Road Next to Sheger Building.
3 km from Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (Approx. 12 min by car)
- Free shuttle from the airport (Must book with hotel)
- Early check-ins/Late check-out is personal responsibility
- We advise booking early.
Nearby Affordable Hotels:
Visa Process
The visa process for foreigners is generally easy and can be done online. Apply for E-Visa.
Transport & Costs
Participants are responsible for their own airport transportation. Approximate cost: USD 2 per trip. Many hotels provide shuttle services—check with your booking.
Visit Ethiopia
Registration Details
There is no mandatory registration fee. However, a voluntary donation is encouraged to support workshop expenses.
Recommended Donation
USD $250
Bank Details
Organization Name:- AAU Institute for Peace and Security Studies
Bank Name: National Bank of Ethiopia
Account Number (USD): 0100171300027
Swift code: NBETETAA
Bank Address: Addis Ababa , Ethiopia
Registration Deadline: 15 August 2026
Contact Persons
Zelalem Tesfaye Sirna
+251-912-157-089
Addis Ababa
Daniel Mekonnen
+251-913-959-065
Addis Ababa
Miranda Forsyth (Professor)
Australian National University
+61 2 6125 1505 | M: 0429903094
Australia
Please note that submission is now closed.
Participant Registration Form