Masterclass Details
Launch: Wednesday 30th September, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM AST (Hybrid)
Day 1: Wednesday 30th September, 2026 | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM AST (Virtual – Zoom)
Day 2: Thursday 01st October, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM AST (Virtual – Zoom)
Day 3: Thursday 02nd October, 2026 | 9:30 AM – 4:00 PM AST (Virtual – Zoom)
Detailed Breakdown of Masterclass
DAY 1 – Understanding Justice Differently
Day 1: introduces participants to restorative justice as a transformative response to crime in the Caribbean. Grounded in history, culture, and legal frameworks, the sessions explore how justice can move beyond punishment toward accountability, repair, and inclusion, while ensuring ethical integrity and alignment with existing legal systems.
Focus: Foundations & Legitimacy
Module: Modules 1 & 2
DAY 2 – From Harm to Healing: Practising Restorative Justice
Day 2: brings restorative justice to life by focusing on the human experience of harm and the skills required for meaningful intervention. Participants engage with trauma-informed approaches and gain hands-on experience in restorative practices, developing the empathy, judgment, and facilitation skills essential for safe and effective implementation.
Focus: Human Impact & Practice
Module: Modules 3 & 4
DAY 3 – From Ideas to Impact: Building the Future of Justice
Day 3: shifts from practice to transformation, equipping participants to embed restorative justice within institutions, policies, and communities. Through strategic dialogue and a high-level panel, participants explore pathways for reform and leave prepared to lead, advocate, and collaborate in advancing restorative justice across the Caribbean.
Focus: Systems, Policy & Leadership
Module: Modules 5 & Panel
Meet the Guest Speakers
Dr. Timothy Affonso is an attorney-at-law with 20 years’ experience. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the UWI, a Master of Laws Degree from the University College London, with Distinction and a Doctor of Philosophy in international law and human rights, from the UWI. He is a national scholarship winner and a Chevening Scholar. He is a former state prosecutor in Trinidad and Tobago and extradition attorney. He was the Acting Dean, Deputy Dean and is currently a Lecturer (On Leave) in the Faculty of Law, University of the West Indies. His research interests include public international law, post-colonial laws and human rights law. Dr. Affonso is an Associate Tutor in Trial Advocacy and administers the Constitutional Law and Law and Legal Systems courses at the Hugh Wooding Law School. Read More ➡️
Dr. Ali has an Interest in Mediation and Restorative Justice arose from the need for Human Rights and grounded gender-based violence solutions. Co-founded and led an NGO for conflict transformation of family, community and crime disputes, alternatives to custodial sentencing and peacebuilding. Advocated successfully for mediation policy, legislation and higher education. Participated in developing and delivering Trinidad and Tobago’s National Restorative Justice Policy (2002), Community Mediation Policy (2000), Community Service Legislation (2000), and The UWI MSc. Mediation Studies Programme (2003). Academic research into identifying the local words and value frameworks of the change factor that shifts and pivots human problems into human understanding and transformation in everyday negotiation experiences. Read More ➡️
Avenel Caruth is an Attorney-at-Law in Trinidad and Tobago with almost a decade of legal experience and a multidisciplinary background in law, public administration, social services, and justice reform in Trinidad and Tobago Ms. Caruth holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from The University of the West Indies, a Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School, and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of the West Indies. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Law at The University of the West Indies, where her research examines the implementation and effectiveness of restorative justice in advancing Trinidad and Tobago’s criminal justice system as well as examining how restorative principles can be integrated into the country’s legal and penal framework to foster healing, Read More ➡️
Mrs. Simone Francois-Whittier is an attorney, certified mediator, former diplomat, and university adjunct lecturer with over twenty years of combined experience in law, international relations, negotiation, conflict resolution, and higher education. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Government, a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations, an LLB (Hons), an MPhil in Government, and an LPC (Distinction), and is currently pursuing a PhD. Over the course of her career she has worked extensively in stakeholder engagement, consensus-building, cross-cultural communication, and dispute resolution. She brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective to restorative justice processes and capacity-building initiatives. As a practicing attorney and certified mediator, Mrs. Francois-Whittier has extensive experience facilitating dialogue, managing disputes, and promoting constructive approaches to conflict resolution. Read More ➡️
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