Finland

Provides a listing of articles on restorative justice developments in Finland. Articles appear in the order in which they were added to the site with the most recent appearing first.

Iivari, Juhani. The Process of Mediation in Finland: A Special Reference to the Question ëHow to Get Cases for Mediation?

In this paper the author gives a brief summary of the developing phase and features of the mediation projects in Finland and addresses the question of how to get cases for mediation in cooperation with different officials, especially with the police and the prosecutor. The author points out that cooperation with officials has been vital for mediation in Finland. The author also addresses the question of so-called "net-widening" effect and points out that although there are standpoints pro and contra the concept, cooperation with officials is defensible.

Grõnfors, M. "Mediation-Experiment in Finland."

A locally-modified version of community mediation was started in the City of Vantaa, Finland, in 1984. This paper reports on the research carried out during the two year experimental project. The author discusses the nature of conflict and possible dispute processing options. The mediation experiment is described. There were 140 mostly criminal cases handled by the service. Mediation seems best where there is true conflict, and differs from other problem solving approaches. Lay mediators seem to have less problem adopting the principles of mediation than people trained in helping professions, who have difficulty to adjust from their role as a problem-solver to that of a communication facilitator. Other considerations are also discussed.

Iivari, Juhani. Challenges of Organizing Victim-Offender Mediation in Finland

This short article reports on a study commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The project focused on the present situation surrounding mediation and possible options for organizing mediation.

Gellin, Maija. How can a school using the peer mediation system, in cooperation with a local VOM-office and police, increase the understanding of restorative practices

This presentation described the use of the steps of mediation in the whole school community, which includes pupils, school staff, parents and in some cases also youth workers and police... According to our experience, when the peer mediation method is used in a school, the practice affects positively the whole community, which starts to understand mediation as a positive method to use in many kinds of conflicts. (excerpt)

Kinnunen, Aarne. Implementing VOM in Finland – cooperation between poicy makers and practitioners

In 2006, victim-offender mediation in Finland became national and state-funded. This article is a report on what victim-offender mediation looks like in the country and what the future of it looks like.

Kinnunen, Aarne. Resolving conflicts in schools in Finland.

The Finnish Act on Basic Education states that a child has the right to a safe studying environment. Schools thus carry the responsibility to react to possible tensions and to ensure that there are enough methods to prevent conflicts. Since harmful and disrespectful behaviour occurs on a daily basis in schools, it is necessary to create different methods to prevent bullying, violence and other types of aggressive behaviour and to create a safe and comfortable learning environment. Schools should thus, in addition to basic educational duties, also help students build social and emotional skills within the school community so that schools can be safe and just places. (excerpt)

Mediation in Finland

In three recently-published articles, Juhani Iivari provides a glimpse into the development, use, and possible future of victim offender mediation in Finland.

Iivari, Juhani.Challenges of Organizing Victim-Offender Mediation in Finland

This short article reports on a study commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. The project focused on the present situation surrounding mediation and possible options for organizing mediation.

Iivari, Juhani. Victim-Offender Mediation- An Alternative, An Addition or Nothing but a Rubbish Bin in Relation to Legal Proceedings?

This paper is a result of the research Iivari did for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. He discusses the need for regulation and institutionalization in the mediation system.

Iivari, Juhani. Victim-offender mediation in Finland

Juhani Iivari examines the history and current state of victim-offender mediation in Finland.

Elonheimo, Henrik. Restorative Justice Theory and the Finnish Mediation Practices

In Finland, the most prominent manifestation of restorative justice is victim-offender mediation. In order to investigate to what extent the restorative ideals are actually realized within the Finnish mediation practices, 16 cases of victim-offender mediation have been observed.