THE JCTR UPDATE: PEOPLE AND ACTIVITIES
WHAT KEEPS US BUSY AT THE JCTR? HERE ARE SOME RECENT ITEMS OF INTEREST
DEBT PROJECT
Charity Musamba and Pete Henriot, S.J., attended a meeting in Ireland on Debt and Trade held on 9 September. The meeting was organized by the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice of Dublin on behalf of the International Jesuit Network for Development.
In late September, Charity Musamba attended a meeting in Sweden organized by the Swedish Jubilee Network, Diakonia and the Swedish Forum for Southern Africa. The meeting focused on PRSPs, the role of International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Developing countries and the revival of the debt cancellation campaign in the north.
Jack Zulu, Debt Project Policy Analyst was in Washington DC from 27 September to 3 October 2004 attending the World Bank IMF annual meeting. The meeting discussed debt relief for low income countries in the context of debt sustainability.
On 16 September 2004, the Debt Project launched a study report entitled, “The Link Between Domestic and External Debt: Implications for Poverty Reduction.”
PASTORAL FIELD WORK
Willy Moka, S.J., theologian from Central African Province, spent two months as an intern with JCTR for his pastoral field work. Moka organised the JCTR 2005 Church's Social Teaching Calendar -- a great job of identifying twelve key themes with appropriate quotations. The previous editions of the calendar - beautifully designed by Jomo Nyirenda and published by Mission Press -- have been extremely popular and all supplies exhausted. We will print 3000 copies this year -- order them now to be sure that you will have enough for your communities and parishes and schools!
CHURCH’S SOCIAL TEACHING
The Church’s Social Teaching Project continues with its public lecture series on the Relevance of the Church’s Social Teaching to Zambia Today. On 25 September, Pete Henriot made a presentation to several University of Zambia students and the general public on the topic “Is Globalisation Good for Zambia?”
CIVIL SOCIETY FOR POVERTY REDUCTION
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) moves towards its independent status as a registered NGO later this year. It continues the critical strong involvement of local communities in the poverty eradication process.
INCULTURATION TASKFORCE
Following the launch at the end of June, the small pamphlet from JCTR's Inculturation Task Force, Traditional Healing: A Pastoral Challenge for the Catholic Church in Zambia has been widely circulated and well-received. Translations in Nyanja, Bemba and Tonga are currently being planned.
“SHOW” EXHIBITION
At the Lusaka Agricultural and Commercial Show in early August, JCTR had a very popular stand, displaying our study pamphlets, research reports, and educational materials. Over two thousand people stopped by during the four days to learn more about the programmes on the church's social teaching, the social conditions research, the debt cancellation campaign and the poverty reduction movement. Staff members organised by Saul Banda took turns "peopling" the stand. The Head of State visited stands on either side of us but snubbed us!
SOCIAL CONDITIONS PROJECT
Muweme attended the Africa Regional Social Watch meeting in Dar es Salaam from 22 to 24 September. The meeting was being held for the first time and discussed in the African context Security and Development, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Gender.
INTERNSHIP AT JCTR
Several UNZA students served as interns during semester break: William Chilufya working on our computer data base, and Mooya Haatembo and Evaristo Chimuka organising files and Bulletin materials. The new JCTR venue hosted their helpful presence and busy activities.
ASSISTANCE TO JCTR PROJECTS
We are happy to welcome both Chris and Elias who have joined JCTR to give some assistance. Chris will be specifically involved with strengthening activities of the Social Conditions Research Project. In addition to being a civil and environmental engineer, Chris is an ardent “social organizer.”
Elias Nchimunya, S.J., will be strengthening our theological reflection activities on the Church's Social Teaching Programme.
We say a warm welcome to Zambia to Chris and JCTR to both of you!