Consensus Council

06/04/2026

Mark your calendars for the 2027 Practicing Restorative Justice Conference!

Join us April 26–29, 2027, at Minnesota State University Moorhead as we gather with practitioners, community leaders, educators, and advocates from across the field to deepen our collective practice, share what's working, and strengthen the restorative justice movement together. Whether you're new to restorative approaches or a seasoned practitioner, this is the gathering place for learning, connection, and renewal.

Full registration details and programming information will be shared in the coming months.

View a recap of the 2025 Practicing Restorative Justice Conference here: https://agree.org/practicing-restorative-justice-conference/

Minnesota State Moorhead

05/21/2026

Consensus Council offices will be closed on Monday, May 25 as we remember and honor those who served.

04/26/2026

Associate director of The Consensus Council, Elizabeth Hilt ('06), is a recipient of the 2026 Dragon Impact Award! Her work in restorative justice strengthens communities and highlights the importance of treating every person with dignity and understanding.

"It's easy to think you know everything based on your own experiences," she says. "But it's important to listen, stay curious instead of defensive, and seek out different perspectives. We all need each other, and we have to learn how to work together."

Congratulations, Elizabeth!

04/23/2026

Every person is endowed with human dignity and value."

April 2026 is Second Chance Month in North Dakota. At Consensus Council, our Restorative Justice Program is proud to partner with the ND Juvenile Court System and the ND Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. We provide unique opportunities for those who have caused harm to repair relationships and trust with the people and communities most affected by their crimes.

Second Chance Month is a reminder that successful reentry and rehabilitation benefits all of us, and that dignity, accountability, and opportunity can go hand in hand.

April is also the month we recognize National Crime Victims week (April 19-25th). As the state's Restorative Justice provider, we also honor those who have experienced harm, and we remain committed to creating meaningful opportunities for healing.

04/20/2026

April 19-25 is National Crime Victims Week. At Consensus Council, we honor and recognize the strength, resilience, and experiences of those who have been impacted by harm.

Through our partnerships with the ND Juvenile Court System and the ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation, we offer victims and survivors meaningful opportunities to have their voices heard, to identify their unique needs for repair and healing, and to play an active part in seeking justice for the wrongs done to them.

National Crime Victims Week highlights the importance of supporting those who have experienced harm as a critical part of building safer and stronger communities.

https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/national-crime-victims-rights-week/overview

04/08/2026

The Consensus Council is seeking event sponsors for the International Legislators’ Forum 2026, to be held in Fargo, September 21-23.

For more than 25 years, the Forum has brought together legislators from Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota to build relationships, exchange ideas, and address shared regional priorities. As we look ahead to 2026, we invite partners to help support this unique cross-border gathering.

Sponsorship offers a meaningful opportunity to:
• Connect with regional and international policymakers
• Showcase your organization’s leadership and impact
• Support bipartisan, cross-border collaboration

Learn more about the Forum and sponsorship opportunities:
https://agree.org/legislators-forum/

International Legislators' Forum ILF ConstitutionSTEERING COMMITTEEBECOME A SPONSORCONTACT USABOUTThe International Legislators’ Forum (ILF) is a nonpartisan, consensus-oriented convening of legislators from the northern plains region of North America. Legislators from across the political spectru...

03/19/2026

The 2025 International Legislators’ Forum Report is here!

Last September, legislators from Manitoba, Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota gathered in historic Deadwood for the 25th anniversary of the International Legislators’ Forum.

For a quarter century, this Forum has created space for leaders to come together across borders and political lines to build relationships and tackle shared regional challenges—from agriculture and trade to energy and economic development.

The 2025 event featured engaging discussions, expert presentations, and opportunities for each jurisdiction to highlight their communities, industries, and culture.

We’re proud to celebrate 25 years of collaboration and look forward to continuing the conversation in 2026.

📖 Read the full report:
https://agree.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/2025_ILF_Report.pdf

03/16/2026

We’re excited to announce the launch of the Restorative Practices Council (RPC) website!

The RPC was created to support schools and justice systems across North Dakota with high-quality training, practical tools, and accessible resources that address youth behavior, repair harm, and reduce unnecessary system involvement. Through collaboration and restorative approaches, we’re working to strengthen relationships, build accountability, and create more supportive environments for young people.

The RPC has received a $15,000 grant from Life Comes From It to support the development of restorative practices training materials for North Dakota schools. While RPC is already developing a statewide implementation guide through an existing grant, this funding will help translate that guidance into practical training tools and facilitator resources for educators. These materials will support schools in strengthening relationships, improving school climate, and implementing restorative practices more consistently.

🔗 Visit the new RPC website: https://ndrpc.org/

03/06/2026

Consensus Council is seeking dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors!

If you’re passionate about strengthening communities, advancing restorative practices, and supporting collaborative solutions across North Dakota, we invite you to consider board service. We welcome new members from various lived experiences, geographic areas, professional backgrounds, and political affiliations across North Dakota.

Learn more about board responsibilities here:
🔗 https://agree.org/board/

Please share with individuals who may be a great fit. Apply by April 1, 2026.

03/03/2026