Dionne Rose, Staff Reporter

Carol Palmer, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Justice. - File

A 21-day period of grieving, healing and restoration across the island is to be held next month through the Ministry of Justice and Northern Caribbean University (NCU).

The programme will commence on January 19 and culminate with a two-day conference on restorative justice under the theme, 'Restorative Justice: Toward Nation Building and Governance'.

Carol Palmer, permanent secre-tary at the Justice Ministry, who launched the programme on Tuesday at the ministry's Oxford Road, New Kingston, offices, said the aim is to move the country from a climate of fear to tolerance, healing and forgiveness.

Mrs. Palmer said the pro-gramme would commence on January 19 and culminate on February 8 with a prayer of atonement for the nation.

Dr. Grace Kelly, deputy chair of the Department of Behavioural Science at NCU, in outlining the programme, said all Jamaica would get an opportunity to deal with their hurt during the 21 days.

Dr. Kelly said some of the topics to be addressed during the period are identifying the hurt, facing the hurt, dealing with the hurt, entering a positive new world, and letting go and moving on.

The programme will focus on children, families, community systems, the victims, the justice system and offenders.

Also endorsing the programme is the Dispute Resolution Foundation.