The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) invites writers, researchers, practitioners, academics, students, poets and other interested contributors to submit original work for the 136th Edition of the JCTR Bulletin.

Theme: “Peace is the Work of Justice: Zambia Before, During and After the Ballot”

The 136th Edition will reflect on what the 2026 General Elections reveal about the health of Zambia’s democratic life, while looking beyond the ballot to consider the responsibilities of citizens, leaders and institutions once the campaign season ends.

The theme also speaks to the 15th anniversary of Africae Munus, signed by Pope Benedict XVI at Ouidah on 19 November 2011, which placed reconciliation, justice and peace at the centre of the Church’s engagement with public life in Africa.

Contributors are encouraged, but not limited, to explore questions around:

• Civic space and citizen participation
• Separation of powers and institutional accountability
• Constitutionalism and the rule of law
• Servant leadership and responsible governance
• Genuine reconciliation and social cohesion
• Justice, peace and democratic life in Zambia
• The responsibilities of citizens, leaders and institutions after elections

Two convictions frame this edition.

First, an election is not the same thing as a democracy. The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church (§407) reminds us that authentic democracy is not simply the formal observance of rules, but depends on a genuine acceptance of the values that give those rules meaning.

Second, peace is more than the absence of conflict; it is the fruit of justice. As Gaudium et Spes (§78) puts it, peace is an “enterprise of justice”. This calls for reflection on the electoral cycle not simply as an event, but as a test of institutions, leadership, citizenship and our shared commitment to justice.

The Bulletin will accept submissions in three forms:

Academic articles
Analytical and evidence-based pieces that critically engage with the theme, following an introduction, body, conclusion and reference list.

Opinion pieces
Argumentative essays that present a clear position on an aspect of the theme.

Poetry
Creative and reflective work that engages with the theme through poetic, symbolic or imaginative expression.

Submission Guidelines

• Length: Maximum 1,500 words, inclusive of footnotes and references where applicable.
• Format: Microsoft Word (.docx), Times New Roman, 12pt, single-spaced.
• Referencing: Academic submissions should use a consistent referencing style, such as Harvard, APA 7 or footnotes, with full citations.
• Originality: Submissions must be original and previously unpublished.
• Author details: Include your full name and institutional affiliation, where applicable.

Submission Deadline: October 31, 2026

Send submissions to bulletin@jctr.org.zm, copying jctrbulletin@gmail.com.

We invite you to contribute your voice to an important conversation about democracy, justice, peace and Zambia’s future beyond the ballot.

We look forward to your contribution.