By: Norryn Gloria Busingye
Everyone is a leader, in some way. Or even better, leaders are not born, they are only made, and each of them is made with a unique fabric.
And for me, this is a statement that has mostly come alive in the last 3 weeks I have spent with some of Africa’s brilliant minds in Athens, Georgia as we kicked off the 2019 Mandela Washington Fellowship. Other than a daily interaction with each other hanging out with 25 brilliant and creative minds has probably been the most helpful activity I have got myself engaged in. And for the crème de la crème of this entire time, the organizing team knew better to line up a team of the most resourceful people at the University of Georgia. With them, every session at every minute has been worth it.
One of those fulfilling days happened to be at the Athens Peer Court which gave us all a whole new experience. This was one of the exceptional forums that were put in place by the University of Georgia to empower teens with leadership skills through conflict resolution on a weekly basis while addressing some of the conflicts brought about by the community youths. Since 2012, the Peer Court has been providing training in leadership skills, public speaking and restorative justice to the youth community in Athens. The sole aim of the court is to influence behavior change, recess criminal offences among Athens’ youth and give a chance to the youth offenders to be heard and understood in defense of their charges.
Under the Athens Peer Court, over 40 youths of 18 years and below from 4 high schools and 4 middle schools are given a special opportunity of a 13-hour intensive training and practicing skills required in court to prosecute cases committed by juvenile offenders. The cases usually vary and include fighting (especially for boys), and indiscipline at home, going against curfews set up by their parents, and shoplifting among others.The youths take turns to practice through volunteering to serve as lawyers, judge and jury. They also learn and practice how to interview a client and give opening statements during hearings after which they serve on a jury to determine a fair and appropriate disposition for offenders. More than that, the Peer Court nurtures self- expression, conflict resolution and critical thinking as a skill among the youth. Through the court cases handled by the Peer Court, it’s very evident that the youths who participate in these court cases don’t seem to find any trouble holding a debate or an argument.
And here is the best part of this awesome ‘Peer Court’ idea. Once found guilty after prosecuting a case, the offender is sentenced to either writing an essay or engagement in community work for a particular period of time, of course depending on the case but also keeping in mind that the perpetrators are of tender age themselves. To me, this is in the interest of both the youth through personal development and their community’s development. With hearings scheduled on a weekly basis, the youths get an opportunity to improve a skill or give back to their community. Either way, it’s a noble target.
The Athens Peer Court is a brain-child of one Robin Shearer, the Athens-Clarke County Juvenile Court Judge who wanted to meet the needs of Athens’ first time youth offenders, while holding them accountable. Her partnership with Emily Boness, a member of the phenomenal J.W. Fanning Institute of Leadership Development was the perfect match that the Peer Court idea needed to take off. With Emily’s prior experience with a similar court during her high school time, the Athens Peer Court never looked back. And today, as a guest student in the community of Athens, I carry the experience with me.
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