Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection
| Established | 1988 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Region served | Zambia & Malawi |
Executive Director | Fr. Leonard Chiti, SJ |
Programmes Head | Geoffrey Chongo |
Planning | Norman Chavula |
Media contact | Tendai Posiana[1] |
Parent organization | Zambia-Malawi Jesuits[2] |
| Affiliations | Jesuits, Catholic |
Staff | 18 |
Volunteers | 6 |
| Website | www.jctr.org.zm |
Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), founded by the Jesuits of the Zambia-Malawi Province in 1988, engages in research, education, and advocacy in Zambia and Malawi, in the tradition of Catholic social teaching and of Jesuit development centers worldwide.
Aim and challenges
JCTR aims to influence what government does to enable the people to satisfy their basic human needs now and into the future, and to hold the government morally accountable for its actions. Zambia and Malawi are peaceful countries, rich in natural resources, but in need of vigilance to maintain gains against corrupt practices.[3] JCTR is currently focusing on the following challenges in Zambia.
- Deteriorating living conditions: many lack health services, safe water, and basic education; JCTR calculates (January 2010) the "Basic Needs Basket" as K2,223,697 (US$487) per month average for a decent three-bedroom home, while teacher take-home pay is US$250–$401 per month.
- Debt relief initiatives have reduced Zambia's debt by over 80%, but measures must be devised to ensure that any new debt contributes to sustainable human development.
- The low return for raw materials continues to plague nations like Zambia; negotiations with the European Union on Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) are critical to Zambia's balance of payments.
- Female literacy is a major issue, with many girls dropping out of school.
- Approximately 15% of adult Zambians are infected by HIV/AIDS, and most others indirectly affected.
- Diseases spread rapidly due to lack of sufficient nutrition, with about 63% of the people living below the poverty line.
- Periodic droughts and floods are a major challenge to 80% of the rural population which is below the poverty line. (Directly addressing this most critical of issues is our Jesuit sister institution Kasisi Agricultural Training Centre.[4])
- Ecology is a major issue, to preserve the ecosystem for future generations.[5]
The values JCTR pursues in addressing these challenges are: "human dignity, option for the poor, social justice, gender sensitivity, critical analysis, discernment, rootedness, collaboration and participation, simplicity, and transparency," pursuing the vision of "a just Zambian society guided by faith where everyone enjoys the fullness of life." JCTR contributes through research, education, advocacy, and consultations, with widespread dissemination of its findings.[6]
Basic Needs Basket
Since 2008 JCTR has calculated and published monthly accounts of the cost of a "Basic Need Basket" for 12 different urban areas, to show that most households are struggling to meet basic needs. Their reports have become the most widely circulated statistical tools in Zambia. They popularize Catholic social teaching, guide community behavior, and motivate businesses and government to implement beneficial policies such as a just minimum wage, fair tax code, strategic fuel reserve, loans for entrepreneurship, and subsidized utilities.[7]
Publication
From 2009 to 2013 the Centre handled communications through its quarterly JCTR Bulletin. Since then it has diversified its publications, using its own website as well as brochures, reports, web blogs, and documentaries to publish its findings and popularize its perspective. All publications are freely made available. It divides them under the headings of Social Economic and Development Programme, Faith and Justice Programme (emphasizing Catholic teachings), and Policy Briefs (addressed most directly to the government).
References
Coordinates: 15°23′12.3″S 28°19′54.7″E / 15.386750°S 28.331861°E