THE JCTR UPDATE: PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES
WHAT KEEPS US BUSY AT THE JCTR? HERE ARE SOME RECENT ITEMS OF INTEREST
In May 2005 the Church’s Social Teaching Project organised an open forum on the environmental challenges in Zambia today and in the future. The discussion was held at the University of Zambia with Roland Lesseps, S.J., chair of JCTR Integrity of Creation Taskforce, making the presentation.
In March, Pete Henriot, S.J., presented a paper “A Church in the Modern World of Africa: The Zambian Experience” at a conference in Rome. The conference was called to reflect on the forty years since the publication of the document “The Church in the Modern World.”
In the same month, Elias and Pete gave a week’s course on Social Spirituality at Emmaus Spirituality Centre. They were also joined by Jack and Muweme who respectively gave inputs on Debt and the Basic Needs Basket.
In the same month of March, Elias Nchimunya, S.J., gave a two day lecture at Josto Mwale College of the Reformed Church of Zambia. His presentation was on economic justice. In addition, in February, Elias talked to the St. Ignatius Justice and Peace Commission on the Church’s Social Teaching.
Jack Zulu, Debt and Trade Project Policy Analyst, attended the World Social Forum in January in Porte Alegre, Brazil, with the message “Another World is Possible.” The World Social Forum WSF) is an open meeting place for reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences, etc., by groups and movements of civil society that are opposed to neo- liberalism and to domination of the world by capital. The WSF is committed to building a society centred on the human person.
In March, Charity Musamba attended the African Forum and Network for Debt and Development (AFRODAD) meeting in Harare. It was a joint partnership planning meeting called to look at Debt, Privatization and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Saul Banda, Debt and Trade Project Provincial Outreach Coordinator, was in Maputo in March for a Commonwealth Ministerial meeting on HIPC. In addition Saul has been busy facilitating sensitisation meetings (on topics such as NEPAD) as well as radio interviews with provincial teams.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS RESEARCH
In February and March, Chris Petrauskis and Innocent Ndashe spent time visiting expanded Basic Needs Basket research areas of Livingstone, Kabwe, Ndola, Luanshya and Kitwe. They held meetings with stakeholders and discussed socioeconomic situations of these areas in addition to discussing the Basic Needs Basket.
Muweme and Elias travelled to Malawi in February for the launch of a study “The Socio-economic, Working and Living Conditions of the Smallholder Tobacco Growers and their Families on Tobacco Estates in Lilongwe, Mchinji, and Mzimba.” The study, a collaborative effort between the Centre for Social Concern in Lilongwe and the JCTR, brings out the various injustices suffered by smallholder tobacco growers and their families including the injustice of child labour and the denial of education opportunities for the children.
JCTR TASKFORCES
The JCTR Taskforce on Integrity of Creation completed its situational analysis on the commitment of the Church to environmental issues within the Lusaka Archdiocese. Follow-up activities to the study will include the publication of a booklet that will be used, among other things, for creating environmental awareness in communities.
The Inculturation Taskforce has completed translating the pamphlet on traditional healing into CiNyanja, Chitonga and CiBemba.
STRATEGIC PLAN QUARTERLY REVIEW
At the end of the first quarter of 2005, JCTR staff spent some time reviewing its strategic plan. The focus of the review included implementation of the planned activities as well as issues surrounding measurement of impact.
FRIDAY FORUMS
Starting in January, the JCTR has held on Friday afternoon in-house reflections. So far the topics for discussion – with outside input in some cases – have included Islam, Team Building, Church’s Social Teaching, Discernment and HIV/AIDS.
VISITORS TO THE JCTR
The JCTR welcomes Arthur Garande, S.J., currently doing theology studies at Hekima College in Nairobi. Arthur is here at the JCTR as part of the Jesuit formation programme and will be helping the centre come up with its 2006 Church’s Social Teaching calendar. A very warm welcome to you Arthur and hope your stay at the JCTR will be worthwhile!