Abstract
The weakening of community as a social force has diminished our collective capacity to address complex social challenges such as violence, inequality, and disconnection. These are relational problems that require relational solutions. This paper examines the potential of restorative communities to restore the social fabric and generate human-centred responses to pressing societal issues. Drawing on the CIRCLES-NS (Creating Integrated Restorative Communities for Locally Engaged Solutions in Nova Scotia) research and social change initiative, this study explores how a restorative approach can reposition community as a vital actor in shaping solutions. CIRCLES-NS brings together communities, government, and academic researchers in new forms of partnership, with each contributing knowledge, expertise, and commitment. This collaboration is itself an innovation, modelling how institutions and communities can work differently to co-create change. Within this broader approach, Living Labs provide experimental spaces where communities and systems work alongside researchers to test, adapt, and learn in real time. Rather than imposing predefined solutions, the Living Lab model supports communities to identify priorities and develop their own pathways to wellbeing and safety, while generating insights that can be shared and scaled. This paper highlights how the combined force of collaboration and experimentation is developing knowledge about the relational conditions necessary to sustain restorative communities. In doing so, it contributes to both theory and practice on how communities can become enduring social forces for resilience, innovation, and prosperity.
Presenters
Jennifer LlewellynProfessor and Chair in Restorative Justice, Restorative Research, Innovation and Education Lab, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Restorative Communities, Restorative Approach, Social innovation, Social Fabric
