Quarterly Bulletin

Bulletin 64
1st Quarter 2005

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Zambia, like the rest of Africa, looked on as the G8 met in Scotland to solve its problems.  Hopes were high in the run-up to the summit as well as during the proceedings.  At last, debt would be cancelled, trade imbalances would be removed to achieve greater fairness, and aid to poor countries would be increased.  All this would be done not as a matter of charity on the part of the G8 but rather as an act of justice.  As the meeting ended, there were mixed feelings over its achievements.

Certainly, we are happy that some debts were cancelled.  The full meaning of this cancellation still needs to be revealed though.  There is definitely a need for more to be done.  The debt relief, for instance, comes with the same policy conditions that have seen poor countries sink deeper into debt rather than recover from it over the years.  On the other hand, how the relief translates to the lay person on the street is not at all clear.  At best, the hope remains that things will get better in the future while the present continues to be as tough as ever if not tougher.

For poor countries to recover and grow economically there is need for fair trade.  Africa continues to be the dumping ground for subsidized goods.  Like most of the third world, Africa continues to be the source of raw materials obtained cheaply while the processed goods return at much higher prices.   This trade imbalance benefits the West to the detriment of the poor countries.  Poverty eradication needs serious political and economic will.  The question was and still is: “Can the G8 countries that are among the beneficiaries of this arrangement be the very ones to turn it around?”

If the answer to the above question is in the affirmative, then aid to poor countries needs to be increased in a way that guarantees that the poor countries develop their manufacturing industries.  Without this, the dream of fair trade will continue to be elusive.  This is a question of justice stemming from the fact that Africa has helped the West to reach its levels of development through providing resources both human and material.  It is only fair that the West reciprocate this concretely. Thus it is a duty and not an act of charity for the West to help poor countries develop their economies. 

     On the national level, Zambia published its Draft Constitution which has been given to the public for debate for ninety days. This is an opportune time for Zambians to debate their constitution. The Draft Constitution looks good and progressive. It is good to urge the public to debate and contribute greatly so that its content will be enshrined in the final constitution. The Draft Constitution includes articles on the economic, social and cultural rights that would greatly help in respecting the dignity of a human being. The citizenship clause, land, corruption and contracting of loans are some of the issues that have been dealt with. The G8 conditions could be met from our Draft Constitution and it is for this reason that members of the public must be involved in debating the constitution so that we have a constitution that will respond to people’s needs.

     The Zambia-Malawi Province of the Society of Jesus has been blessed with a number of activities. This year marks the 100 years of Jesuit presence in Zambia. Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., the
Superior General of the Society of Jesus visited Zambia in June. In his address to the Jesuits he emphasized the importance of promotion of justice in the name of the loving Lord. This means becoming the voice of the voiceless and powerless in reacting to injustice in whatever forms it takes. He was clear that without sharing Jesus’ preferential option for the poor we could not become Jesus’ companions. We have to contribute to the building of a more just world against the sinful structure of human society as pointed out by John Paul II; “it is clear that in area of promotion of justice, use must be made of achievements and capacities of science and technology to alleviate hunger, discrimination, marginalization and to find remedies to such diseases as HIV/AIDS”. Just as the international community got involved through the G8, the Church is also involved in solving problems of the individual countries in which they are working. The Church has to adopt means that will make poverty history and improve humanity in all areas.

     Most of the articles in this Bulletin reflect the importance of human beings and what steps must be taken in order to improve their situation. They range from Environment, Corruption, Constitution to Debt and Trade issues. There is a realisation that the G8 would only be effective along with good local and international environmental approaches. We need to reflect on the fact that the damage the Tsunami caused could have been minimized if the environment was taken care of. The death penalty is still an issue in Zambia and many other countries.  So it is raised in this issue of the Bulletin once again for reflection. Thus this issue of the Bulletin raises our minds to the need for collaboration at all levels to make this a better world.

Bboloka Bubala Nchimunya, S.J

Bulletin 64

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