Power abuse resulting to injustices, poverty and human rights violations is a reality. It is also a growing phenomenon that we silently witness in our communities hoping that someone will finally do something about it. I felt that I had to respond to this need by creating Restorative Justice for All (RJ4All) and with the strong belief and determination to help rebalance power. I also set up the IARS International Institute, and 20 years later I passed it onto others to run in the hope that they will continue its mission.
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From here, you can access some of my work whether this relates to organisations I set up, published work or ad hoc projects. Feel free to drop me an email with your thoughts or questions. I learn every day.
Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All)
I am the Founder and Director of the RJ4All, which is an international institute with a mission to address power abuse and relieve poverty through the use of restorative justice values and practices.
We advance community cohesion and human rights, as we redistribute power in a more equal way by delivering social justice and poverty relief projects, educational programmes and high quality volunteering opportunities to the most marginalised groups of society while supporting civil society to achieve its mission.
RJ4All Sports
I am the Founder of RJ4All Sports, which is the charitable fitness branch of the Restorative Justice for All International Institute (RJ4All). At RJ4All, we believe that to address disadvantage and rebalance power in society in a more equal way, we must adopt a holistic approach. We believe in the power of sports in bringing people together, addressing marginalision and community cohesion issues, while improving well-being and health outcomes. This is why we created the "RJ4All Sports" brand!
Restorative Justice webinar series
These free webinar series I cover restorative justice themes such as domestic violence, gender based violence, mental health, power, racism and inequalities. Some include high profile guests from around the world sharing their own experience and expertise in restorative justice.
RJ4All Publications
I set up RJ4All Publications in 2013 to act as the independent, publishing arm of the Restorative Justice for All International Institute. RJ4All Publications is now recognised as the world’s leading, independent publisher of restorative justice e-books. It is also the publishers of two peer-reviewed journals: The Internet Journal of Restorative Justice and the Youth Voice Journal.
We also specialise in social sciences and the publication of cutting-edge research including but not limited to restorative justice, youth issues, criminal justice, equality and human rights.
IARS International Institute
I founded the IARS International Institute in 2001 in my kitchen in the hope that it can give voice and representation to marginalised groups in decision making, policies and practices independently of location or background.
A young migrant himself at the time, I believed that by bringing people together through the sharing of power and the values of dignity, equality and fairness, he can challenge top down structures of control and facilitate the development of strong democracies.
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In February 2020, I stepped down from my role as IARS’ Director after almost 20 years of building a strong charity.
Youth Voice Journal
I am the Founder and Editor in Chief of The Youth Voice Journal (YVJ™) which is the leading international peer-reviewed journal publishing theoretical contributions and empirical studies on issues affecting young people and youth work. YVJ™ is published by RJ4All Publications and is ranked and indexed by Scopus, ORCID, Kudos, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO and ERIH PLUS.
Internet Journal of Restorative Justice
I am the Founder and Editor in Chief of The Internet Journal of Restorative Justice (IJRJ®), which is the leading, international peer-reviewed journal on restorative justice. It was established in 2012 to push the boundaries of criminal justice by adopting a unique, practical approach to researching and investigating restorative justice. It is indexed and ranked by Scopus, Kudos, The European Reference Index for the Humanities and the Social Sciences (ERIH PLUS), Criminal Justice Abstracts and EBSCO.
Power, race, justice and restorative justice programme
This multi-year programme is structured around four concepts, which act as pillars for its arguments and indeed contribution: power, race, justice and restorative justice. These concepts are brought under one roof and challenged for two reasons. First, I want to create a normative and practical framework that can be used to counter-balance power abuse and the way in which it is manifested in inter-personal, inter-community or inter-state affairs, relationships, conflicts and partnerships. Second, I want to elevate justice, and restorative justice in particular, as I claim responsibility for not challenging them enough during times that communities needed them.
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I have published the first findings of my work in Gavrielides, T. (2021). Power, Race & Justice: The restorative dialogue we won’t have. Abingdon: Routledge. ISBN 978-1-4724-8835-0
Preventing & Addressing Violent Radicalisation and Extremism programme
A multi-year capacity-building, research, awareness raising and educational programme, aiming to explore the role, potential and limitations of restorative justice and pilot community-led initiatives for preventing individuals at risk of violent radicalisation with an emphasis on young people.
The project also aims to increase awareness around alternative, positive approaches to violent radicalisation and extremism using Gavrielides' positive preventative model.
Convener of CPD certified courses
I am the convener of over 30 courses and e-courses certified with Continuous Professional Development.
In addition, I teach on the BSc (Hons) Forensic Psychology – restorative justice modules (University of East London) while in 2015 I designed the Work-based Certificate in Youth Policy (accredited through London Metropolitan University).
Positive Psychology & restorative justice
Since 2013, I have been running this programme, which aims to take the next step in deepening the relationship between the Good Lives Model and restorative justice.
My programme uses the tool of positive psychology to provide a fresh critical analysis of restorative practices, which have recently received much attention by policy makers and politicians. As part of this initiative I have carried out a series of project generating ground breaking research that I have been using in the writing and editing of a number of books, chapters and peer reviewed publications.
Building the first restorative post code in the world
In June 2021, I was fortunate to be given the Rotherhithe Community Centre located in South East London. Since then, I set up several free services for the community such as a food bank and a community fridge, a community library and gym, a warm hub and a number of projects. The intention is to test my theory and vision for building the first restorative post code in the world. Much has been said about restorative cities. But what about focusing more local? Watch this video for more ...