Justice at the Crossroads

CANADIAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ASSOCIATION CALL FOR PAPERS for the 35th Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice.

We welcome submissions from academics, programs, community-based organizations, government initiatives, and professionals!

You are cordially invited to submit an abstract for a workshop or presentation at the 2015 Congress under the theme: Justice at the Crossroads.

This event is being organized by the Canadian Criminal Justice Association and the Collaborative Centre for Justice and Safety and will be held from September 30, 2015 to October 3, 2015 at the Delta Regina Hotel in Regina, Saskatchewan.

We are interested in compelling, innovative sessions.  Presenters will have 60 – 90 minutes for each workshop or presentation, including time for questions and discussions.

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If you are interested in giving a workshop or presentation, please review the following information, fill out and return the application form. 

The deadline for submission is March 1, 2015.

The justice system is increasingly concerned with addressing the causes and consequences of violence. 

The trauma among Aboriginal families and communities related to missing and murdered Aboriginal women; the trauma experienced by front line professionals (police, fire fighters, soldiers, community-based workers); the victimization of those who experience spousal violence, sexual assault, and other kinds of abuse and violent crime – these kinds of issues demand a national solution.  Will this phenomenon continue? How should the justice system respond?

Topics could include:

• Violence: how it affects victims, families, communities and professionals
• Trauma: what we know about the impact of violence and trauma
• Recovery: how should we respond?
• Violence as a public health issue

Technology’s Impact

New technologies are increasingly affecting the kinds of crime and social issues facing communities, while the justice system and other sectors are being challenged to respond to rapid developments that often have unforeseen consequences.  At the same time, technology offers new potential to detect, investigate and respond to crime and social issues, and to circulate information quickly.  Potential topics include:

Is technology changing our human relationships?

• The impact and use of social media in crimes, emergencies and natural disasters
• Cyberbullying
• Cyber extortion
• Gangs and organized crime
• Identity theft
• Privacy, confidentiality and access to information
• Surveillance by law enforcement agencies
• “Big data”: its benefits and possible abuses; inter-organizational sharing of information; and the demands for open and transparent government

Community Wellness and Change

It is increasingly recognized that the issues facing communities and the justice system are complex and inter-related, with social, economic, historic, environmental and justice dimensions. 

What kinds of approaches and responses could strengthen communities and address the challenges facing the justice system? Topics could include:

• Building partnerships between different groups and sectors
• Engaging communities and citizen/community leadership in addressing justice issues
• Restorative justice, social justice, environmental justice, and other alternative justice approaches
• Strategies that balance prevention, intervention and enforcement
• Public education on crime and justice issues
• Topics related to justice and the social and economic issues affecting youth, women, Aboriginal people, immigrants, people with disabilities and other groups

The Promise Ahead

With justice at the crossroads, how can we move ahead to address the challenges facing communities, society and the justice system? How can we build knowledge, attitudes, skills, and hope among citizens and professionals, while engaging communities and various sectors to implement positive change? Topics could include:

• What is the future of the justice system? What trends, issues and approaches will shape the coming decade?
• Innovative, collaborative approaches, including specialized courts and alternatives to incarceration
• Aboriginal peoples: an independent justice system?
• Unique, responsive approaches to the challenges facing youth, women, Aboriginal people, newcomers/immigrants and other groups
• A national centre for trauma and national strategy to address crime: are these the answer?
• Access to justice, including restorative justice; dispute resolution; early case intervention; accessible, available and affordable legal services; and other approaches
• Cost-benefit and social impact analysis of various approaches
• Other research and evidence-based approaches

INFORMATION ABOUT WORKSHOPS, PRESENTATIONS AND POSTERS

·Language

Workshops and presentations can occur in English, French, or both.  Simultaneous translation will be available for certain sessions.

·Format (60-90 minutes)

We are interested in a range of formats and delivery methods, including circles, group discussions and other interactive exercises, short skills-based sessions, panels, lectures and presentation of research findings, films and documentaries, and others.  We strongly encourage collaborative, interactive delivery methods involving multiple organizations and individuals when appropriate.

 ·Number of appearances on the program
Individuals may submit only ONE application to be the sole or first presenter for a workshop or presentation.  Individuals may make one other appearance as either a chair or discussant on a panel. Appearances as a co-author, co-facilitator, co-presenter, poster presenter, or roundtable participant are unlimited.

 ·Poster session After the last event on Friday afternoon, a poster session will enable individuals, groups and organizations to present research findings, concepts, proposals, and initiatives in a visual format.  Conference registrants will have the opportunity to circulate and speak to those who are presenting posters, providing opportunities to network and exchange ideas. 

·Documentaries and short films (60-90 minutes)

Research teams or organizations wanting to inform, share with, or sensitize the public and professionals on real-life experiences and topics relevant to the theme and subthemes may use film media. It is recommended that time be reserved for discussion with the participants.

 HOW TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION

Your proposal can be submitted by completing the form found at ccja-acjp.ca and forwarding it to the Canadian Criminal Justice Association by e-mail at ccja-acjp@rogers.com, by fax at 613-725-3720, or by mail at 320 Parkdale Avenue, Suite 101, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y 4X9.

The selection committee will choose workshops and presentations based on the following criteria:

• Fit within one or more of the themes
• Innovative formats (see “Format” above), including the extent to which the workshop or presentation is collaborative, interdisciplinary and interagency if appropriate
• Builds knowledge, attitudes, skills and hope among those who attend Congress 2015
• Connects theory, practice and personal/professional experience; and links awareness, action and advocacy
• Goes beyond describing issues to propose creative, workable solutions, strategies, and good practices for the justice system and communities
• Considers issues facing the justice system and different groups in a changing society, including how to address these issues and support these groups

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS AND DATES

All presenters and co-presenters at the Congress must pay registration fees.

Deadline for submissions: March 1, 2015

Notification to the presenters: April 30, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON CONGRESS 2015:

Canadian Criminal Justice Association: www.ccja-acjp.ca
Collaborative Centre for Justice and Safety: www.justiceandsafety.ca