ABSTRACT
Edit Törzs: 0000–0003–3417–4300
Katrien Lauwaert: 0000–0001–8396–5032
Ivo Aertsen: 0000–0002–6929–6757
European policies play an increasingly important role in the area of peace and security. This chapter explores whether these policies support a restorative justice approach for dealing with conflicts in intercultural settings. In light of that question, the most relevant EU and Council of Europe policy developments are screened in the fields of security, migration and integration, restorative justice, intercultural dialogue and intercultural cities. The chapter concludes with the observation that European policies are ambivalent, supporting at the same time repressive security-based approaches and initiatives that support more inclusive and tolerant societies. It is argued that more sustainable support to local, bottom-up initiatives based on restorative justice approaches could contribute to achieving policy aims set at the European level for creating and maintaining safe and democratic societies.
