UCLan Cyprus and RJ4ALL Europe marked an important milestone on October 14th, 2024, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at fostering international collaboration in the fields of education, research, and community impact. The agreement signifies a shared commitment to advancing restorative justice practices, community cohesion, and human rights through innovative research and practical applications.

The MoU signing coincided with a highly successful joint international conference hosted at the premises of UCLan Cyprus, titled “Bringing Restorative Justice to Cyprus: Preventing & Addressing Divisive Language.” This event marked RJ4ALL’s first international conference in Cyprus and showcased the deepening collaboration between the two institutions. The conference brought together a diverse range of international and local experts to explore restorative justice within the Cypriot context, particularly in addressing divisive narratives.

Participants delved into the pressing issue of divisive language in Cyprus, discussing its roots and how restorative justice can act as a transformative tool for fostering dialogue, shifting mindsets, and promoting healing within divided communities. In addition to thought-provoking panels and discussions, the conference also placed a strong focus on engaging youth. Students from UCLan Cyprus participated in hands-on workshops that explored key topics such as hate speech, non-violent communication, and restorative justice circles. These interactive sessions empowered young people to actively engage with restorative practices, providing them with practical skills to challenge divisive rhetoric.

The MoU signing ceremony, held at UCLan Cyprus, saw the presence of Dr. Nearchos Paspallis, Head of School of Sciences and Associate Professor at UCLan Cyprus, Dr. Theo Gavrielides, Founder and Director of RJ4ALL, Dr. Lilia Psalta, Assistant Professor and Course Leader of the MSc in Forensic Psychology at UCLan Cyprus, and Sofia Sideridou, RJ4ALL Research Coordinator & RJ4ALL Europe Manager.

Dr. Nearchos Paspallis welcomed the collaboration on behalf of the Rector of UCLan Cyprus by stating:
“I am very pleased to support this partnership with RJ4ALL, which is well aligned with the university’s mission. Not only it strengthens our position within the community, businesses and other educators, it also allows us to move towards a more transparent, fair tolerable world. We envision that our collective efforts will contribute to academic excellence, and it will foster real-world impact both locally and internationally.”

Dr. Theo Gavrielides, speaking on behalf of RJ4ALL, noted:
“With our International Institute’s expertise in restorative justice, we are thrilled to collaborate with UCLan Cyprus to advance human rights and community cohesion in Cyprus and across the world. This MoU will support the creation of new training programmes, research projects, and publications that target professionals and the community, empowering them in their fight against crime and injustice.”

Dr. Lilia Psalta expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating:
“This agreement between UCLan Cyprus and RJ4ALL creates new opportunities for advancing research in forensic psychology, mental health, and social justice. We are eager to explore the synergies between our institutions to contribute positively to both academia and society.”

This MoU brings together the academic excellence of UCLan Cyprus in areas such as psychology, forensic sciences, and law with the global leadership of RJ4ALL in restorative justice and social justice. The collaboration will pave the way for research projects, certified courses, and training programmes that will benefit students, professionals, and the broader community. Both institutions are committed to creating innovative solutions to fight crime, poverty, and human rights violations through a positive, growth-oriented approach.

RJ4All Europe is the leading European non-profit institute advancing community cohesion and human rights through restorative justice. With offices in Cyprus and the UK, we have members from all EU states and over 60 other countries. The organisation delivers social justice projects and programmes through dialogue, education, and restorative justice practices. RJ4All Europe aims to create a global peace movement for social change, aligning with UN agencies’ emphasis on informal justice in dispute resolution.

UCLan Cyprus, a leading British educational institution, offers individuals a unique opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills in current science, engineering, law and business topics, practices, and trends through its wide range of programmes. UCLan Cyprus is further committed to the development and application of social initiatives through its programmes and research projects.