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Letter from the Editor

Dear JCTR Bulletin Readers:

We have now reached the end of the year 2003, with so many challenges still confronting us such that at times one feels overwhelmed by them.  But the year 2003 is of particular significance to the JCTR.  It is the year marking 15 years of existence of the organisation.  We have therefore devoted the first few pages to reflections on these years of JCTR existence.  After such a time, naturally it becomes necessary to critically and honestly examine the achievements of the work of the JCTR.  However, it can be stated with confidence that over the years the JCTR has grown both in terms of staffing levels and programmes on the one hand and influence on the other.  We welcome from our readers any comments and suggestions.

Of course it is expected that not everyone views the work of the JCTR, and especially its points of emphasis, through the “same spectacles.”  I recall one of the criticisms leveled against the JCTR following its statement on a poverty policy issue: “What has the JCTR done concretely for the people of Zambia to justify its criticism of government?”  In terms of “service provision,” e.g., sinking of boreholes, constructing bridges, poverty alleviation, lessening the suffering of the poor through meeting their immediate needs with provision of handouts, social security, safety nets, etc., the JCTR might be evaluated with the conclusion that it has achieved next to nothing.  But it should also be recognized that to measure impact of advocacy is not as easy as counting how many bridges have been put up.  But certainly what is of critical importance, in addition to meeting immediate needs of the poor, is to examine situations that are leading to their impoverishment.  It is important to put under critical assessment local, national, regional and international structures that are impoverishing the people.  That is very fundamental, especially to the quest for social justice.  And the JCTR takes this task very seriously. Complete letter

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