What Is a Unitive Justice Circle?

 

A Unitive Justice Circle is a process for bringing together those in conflict to examine the underlying causes of conflict and find mutually beneficial solutions.

Unitive Justice Circles are designed to enable people to discover their connection and to recognize their shared humanity. The final stage helps participants find solutions that allow them to go forward together.

Unitive Justice Circles are used to address more serious conflicts, a process designed to get at root causes and promote accountability for lasting change.

Other Types of AUJ Unitive Circles

  • UJEd Classroom Circles – a circle process for building relationships, strengthening community and problem solving.

  • UJEd Group Circles – designed to address patterns of low-level harm and misconduct impacting groups of students, such as attendance issues, bullying prevention, various expressions of prejudice, etc. UJEd Group Circles use a strengths-based approach to build relationships, strengthen community, enhance students’ sense of self-esteem, promote greater interest and participation in school, and support successful learning.

  • Unitive Justice Community Circles - To address disruptions in a community, usually involving ten or more people.

  • Reflective Listening Circles - circles done in pairs to learn listening skills, create a safe space for honest sharing, and to experience our shared humanity.

How it works

Anyone impacted by a conflict can request a Restorative Justice Circle—teachers, students, employees, supervisors, faculty, community members, etc.  Restorative Justice Circles provide an opportunity for adults and/or youth affected by a conflict to:

  • Meet in a safe environment with a trained facilitator where all participants are equal to one another (no victim and offender)

  • Honestly discuss the conflict and how they were impacted

  • Listen and be heard using reflective listening practices

  • Together decide actions to resolve the harm and its consequences

  • Reflect the solutions developed by the participants in a written agreement

 

 

The literature on Unitive Justice and Unity consciousness is a growing genre. Books written by Sylvia Clute are a place to begin and may be purchased on Amazon.

Another Source for Understanding Unitive Justice:

Elena Mustakova also writes about Unitive Justice, but from a global perspective. Her recent book, Global Unitive Healing (Light on Light Press, 2021) describes Unity consciousness as it applies to Healing—individuals and the world. Elena’s understanding of Unitive Justice is consistent with AUJ’s understanding. One difference is that the branch of the Unitive Justice movement that Elena is associated with takes a global view, while Unitive Justice theory as practiced by AUJ provides a roadmap for grassroots implementation. A question we now embrace is “How do these two branches of the Unitive Justice movement work together?”

Get the Book HERE: Global Unitive Healing: Integral Skills for Personal and Collective Transformation