Annika Barron ’24 is a recent graduate of the University of Notre Dame, who majored in neuroscience and behavior and global affairs. How Norway includes mediation, among other distinctive elements, in its justice system was the subject of her senior thesis. In the winter break of the 2023-24 academic year, she traveled to Norway to complete interviews and needed research to complete this thesis. Then in March 2024, she shared her research at the Nanovic Institute's first Undergraduate Research Conference in European Studies.
“The moment she turned away from the mediator and looked me in the eyes was the best moment of my life.”
For the second year in a row, I ventured into the cold winter of Norway to learn more about their system of justice – one which is very different from the systems of incarceration I am used to at home, and which prioritizes rehabilitation and reconciliation following UN standards for human rights.
I became aware of Norway’s prison system while volunteering at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, a restorative justice organization on Chicago’s South Side, through a summer service-learning program. After spending several years volunteering at a school for young boys with a history of delinquent behavior and learning more about restorative justice theories in my peace studies courses, I was curious: How did this system come to be, and how did it function?
Over the winter of my junior year, I traveled to Oslo to learn more about the complexities within this system. While there, I learned from researchers, prison staff, and government officials about the history of the reforms and where they stand today. I learned about areas for growth within the system—including providing better care for those experiencing drug addiction, ensuring immigrants are not mistreated by the justice system, and providing the same standards in prisons across the country. However, I was most interested and surprised by the work of Konfliktrådet, Norway’s national mediation service. While I could only learn some of the basics on my first visit, I was inspired by the idea of a public service allowing people to foster relationships and build bridges even following conflict.
Cold air, warm hearts
“ ... embrace the challenge to go explore. You never know what connections you might make with people who are excited to share their stories. For me, embarking on this adventure has led to relationships that I know will continue as we learn from each other in parallel pursuits of justice.”
This year, I returned to a country where the sun barely crosses the horizon each winter day intending to shed light on what seemed to me a foreign national system. This year, I interviewed more people about Konfliktrådet, including administrative members and local mediators, and I was even lucky enough to have a prisoner share his story of using the service to reconcile with his children after several years of not speaking. The interviews I have conducted over the last two years have been full of surprises – even down to last-minute interviews scheduled during the trip as people recommend new connections. This year, I learned much more about the political and operational challenges of running a government-funded mediation service, such as how to define recidivism and how to make the service more visible within the community. Many people I spoke with described how face-to-face meetings after harm can help people “move on.” I received a glimpse into this dynamic through stories of incredible transformation about mediation told by mediators, perpetrators, and victims alike.
With face-to-face connections and virtual expansion, I built a network of colleagues who have been excited to share their stories with me, which helped me gain a better understanding of the possibilities for restorative justice as I worked toward my senior thesis.
So, to anyone who might be curious like me – embrace the challenge to go explore. You never know what connections you might make with people who are excited to share their stories. For me, embarking on this adventure has led to relationships that I know will continue as we learn from each other in parallel pursuits of justice.