Restoration
Restoration–whether in the realm of justice or ecosystems–is intentional in its methods and explicit about its goals. It asks us to think about what a thing was, what is worth redeeming, and how we might apply a certain kind of hope to its future incarnation. Restoration requires both perspective on the great distance that unfolds in the future and a close examination of the details and realities present before us. Projects of restoration must extract themselves from narratives of fear, anger, or distrust. As Bryan Stevenson, founder of The Equal Justice Initiative, has said: “when you are governed by fear and anger…you tolerate things you would never otherwise tolerate.” Restoration demands courage–courage to sidestep controversy and resolution to return something to ‘wholeness,’ whether that be a painting, an urban community, an equitable wealth system, or a relationship. Here, we explore the weighty work of restoration, the hope kindled therein, and the ability to learn lessons from what is broken around, inside, or between us.
Key themes
Guiding Questions
Key Principles and Processes of Restoration Efforts
Impact of Social Inequities and Historical Contexts on the Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of Restoration Projects
Roles of Communities, Public-Private Partnerships, Individuals, or Other Interest Groups in Restoration
Fostering Cultures of Restoration: Defining and Promoting Values of Healing, Reconciliation, and Wholeness
Harnessing Technology, Innovation, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration to Advance Restoration Efforts
What overarching strategies, such as standards of care or public awareness, guide processes of restoration?
How might individuals or groups determine appropriate goals and choose what is redemptive?
What controversies surround issues of restoration and how might those be mitigated?
How can principles from one field–say restorative justice–be applied to another to address challenges and promote futures?
What are the ethical considerations and philosophical underpinnings that guide the process of determining what is worth restoring and how to go about it?
How can we balance the need for restoration with the constraints of limited resources, competing priorities, and differing stakeholder perspectives?
In what ways do power dynamics, social inequities, and historical contexts influence the goals, methods, and outcomes of restoration efforts?
How can we measure the success of restoration projects? What potential unintended consequences or trade-offs may arise?
What role do community engagement, collaboration, and public-private partnerships play in the planning, implementation, and sustainability of restoration initiatives?
How can we foster a culture of restoration that values healing, reconciliation, and the pursuit of wholeness across various domains of life?
What can we learn from traditional knowledge systems, indigenous practices, and diverse cultural perspectives about the meaning and practice of restoration?
How might emerging technologies, innovative approaches, and interdisciplinary collaborations transform the field of restoration and open up new possibilities for addressing complex challenges?
