IIRP: During the COVID-19 Crisis, Restorative Practices Can Help

A recent article from the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRC), outlines the implications to, and value of, Restorative Practices during the current Covid-19 medical and social crisis. 
 
  • They indicate the role that principles of Restorative Practices can play in engaging with family, work, friends and community.
  • They highlight the particular importance right now to connect with people via online tools while we are perhaps working from home or in some degree of social containment or isolation.
  • They mention teachers setting up Restorative Circles via Google Hangouts or Zoom meetings.
  • They mention the role that RP can play in determining workplace fair process while people are working remotely.
  • They 'trust that restorative practices will prove useful for developing resilient responses in these trying times.’
 
The NED Foundation is very supportive of The Australian RP community, encourages adaptation, and welcomes the insights of IIRC in this time of transformation.
 
The article can be viewed on their website.
 

Brene Brown on Collective Vulnerability

Brene Brown on Collective Vulnerability

Brené Brown refers to the pandemic as "a massive experiment in collective vulnerability."

"This pandemic experience is a massive experiment in collective vulnerability. We can be our worst selves when we’re afraid, or our very best, bravest selves. In the context of fear and vulnerability, there is often very little in between because when we are uncertain and afraid our default is self-protection. We don’t have to be scary when we’re scared. Let’s choose awkward, brave, and kind. And let’s choose each other."

And she reminds us:

"These are anxious times. I hope you are well, taking care of yourselves, and finding a way to connect with people you love. If you are a healthcare worker, social worker, counselor, first responder, store employee, food delivery person, or anyone out there on the frontlines: Thank you. You are our heroes. We owe you so much. If you are someone who loves a frontline person: Thank you. We also owe you so much."

Here is a link to her blog, from which you also can access her podcast: "Unlocking Us"

Casandra Brené Brown PhD, LMSW is a professor, lecturer, author, and podcast host.

The NED Foundation Supports Evolutionary Community-Focused Projects

If you have an idea that can contribute to our goals we would love to hear from you. Unlike the usual competitive process of most granting programs we offer to help you develop your project and will also support you in writing and submitting your application.

Community grants of up to $10,000 are currently available to small community based organisations or individuals who are interested in working with us on projects that build human potential, implement restorative practices and sustain our planet.

A selection of projects NED Foundation has supported

The projects we feature in this selection are rotated regularly

Conference Participation

In 2019 NED Foundation funded Barbara Beatson for travel expenses to attend a conference and give a presentation.
The conference she presented at was the 21st International Conference of the ISPS in Rotterdam, 28th August-1st September 2019.
 
The theme of the conference was "STRANGER IN THE CITY: The circular relationship between alienation and psychosis and the healing power of human reconnection".
 
The title of Barbara's presentation was : "Healing Power of Reconnection to the Earth".

Best Festival Ever

From 2011 to 2014 NED Foundation supported David Finnigan in his tabletop systems gaming project.
Best Festival Ever: How to Manage a Disaster places the audience in charge of programming and managing their own festival.
 
Part theatre show, part performance lecture and part boardgame, Best Festival Ever introduces participants to concepts from Systems Science and asks how we can best understand and manage the complex systems we live in.
 
Seasons have taken place in London, Stockholm, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra.

ANU Dialogue Workshop

In February 2013 NED Foundation funded David Purnell to support The ANU Dialogue group.
The ANU Dialogue group held a workshop near Canberra. Eleven participants took part in an extended conversation co-facilitated by all those involved.
 
Themes included definitions, processes, purpose and potential of dialogue. Silence, movement, music, and creative listening were all used.
 
Subsequently, the Dialogue group continued to meet, with a sharing of models of dialogue and mutual learning.

Transition Australia Convergence - A Project Supported by the NED Foundation

Transition Australia Convergence Event Flyer

Transition Australia is hosting a convergence of transition towns and like-minded sustainability groups. This one-day workshop is designed to enable groups to share, build and energise each other for the journey to a more just and sustainable future. More details on the website.

NED has provided funding for this event.

Milingimbi Womens’ Group - A Project Supported by the NED Foundation

Milingimbi Womens’ Group bicycle ride from Darwin to Alice Springs

NED Inc funded the Milingimbi Womens’ Group to organise a bicycle ride from Darwin to Alice Springs. Our funding provided tents, petrol money, food and some safety equipment. The aim of the ride was to build relationships between young men and elders and to develop confidence and self esteem in the group.

All reports indicated that the ride was very successful and its impacts are still being evaluated.

Mandala Magic - A Project Supported by the NED Foundation

A project highlighting work with women who have experienced domestic violence.

In the 15 minute short film Mandala Magic we discover how colouring and conversation circles are helping many women recovering from the shock and trauma of domestic violence.

The development of the film was funded by NED projects.

The women are living in refuges and shelters, outreach programs and emergency motel accomodation and are at different stages of the healing journey ...

The NED Foundation Supports The Social Developers' Network

SDN Logo

What is The Social Developer's Network (SDN)?

The Social Developers' Network is a non-profit, free association of people with a commitment to personal and social development.
Social Developers meet at national and regional workshops, to contribute and share knowledge and experiences.
Between workshops Social Developers keep in touch in person, by phone and mail, and online.

In 1975 two long-standing friends, John Russell from Melbourne and Ned Iceton from Armidale organized a first workshop ...

The NED Foundation Supports Restorative Practice

Restorative City Image

Restorative practice is a strategy that seeks to repair relationships that have been damaged, including those damaged through bullying. It does this by bringing about a sense of remorse and restorative action on the part of the offender and forgiveness by the victim. The NED Board has an interest in encouraging and supporting the adoption of Restorative Justice practices in Australia. The founder of NED, Ned Iceton was instrumental in bringing the value of this work to the attention of the NED community.

Restorative Justice: An Observational Outcome Evaluation of the Australian Capital Territory Program

An Australian National University Impact Evaluation

'Analysis of the surveys completed by conference participants show that the majority of victims, victim support persons, offenders and offender support persons were satisfied with the conference process and outcome of the conference. Overall, 93% of all conference participants (victims, offenders, and supporters) reported being pleased with the outcome of their conference, and between 97 and 99% of all participants and felt treated with respect, able to say what they wanted as part of the process, that the process was fair for them and the offender, and that their rights had been respected.'

View the Paper at SSRN

NED Project Grants

Apply