Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection - JCTR

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) invites you to a thought-provoking session on “Forecasting the 2025 Humanitarian and Economic Situation in Zambia.” 🗓 Date: 27/12/24 ⏰ Time: 7PM CAT 📍 Platform: Twitter (X) https://lnkd.in/dpM2ChBD Our expert panel will explore critical topics, including: ✅ Zambia’s economic outlook and debt challenges. ✅ The humanitarian impact of climate change. ✅ Strategies to tackle poverty and inequality. 💬 Interactive Q&A Session: Share your insights and questions! 🎯 Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to shaping a just and equitable future for Zambia. 🔗 Join at 7PM here: https://lnkd.in/dpM2ChBD Together, let’s advocate for policies that uplift every Zambian. 🙌 #SocialJustice #Zambia2025 #EconomicForecast #HumanitarianChallenges #JCTR _____ Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) National Action for Quality Education in Zambia- NAQEZ Zambia Climate Change Network

Season's Greetings and Important Notice Dear Friends and Partners, As the year draws to a close, we at the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) extend our heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and collaboration throughout 2024. Your partnership has been invaluable in advancing our mission of promoting justice, equity, and dignity for all. This festive season is a time for reflection, gratitude, and renewal. We encourage you to cherish moments with loved ones, celebrate the milestones achieved, and look forward with hope to the opportunities that 2025 will bring. Please note that the JCTR offices are now closed for the industrial break and will reopen on Monday, 6th January 2025. We wish you and your family a blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year filled with joy, peace, and good health. With warm regards, The JCTR Team

DECEMBER 2024 BASIC NEEDS & NUTRITION BASKET STATEMENT The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) highlights the rising cost of living in Lusaka, as reflected in the December 2024 Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB), which increased to ZMW 10, 833.47, up by ZMW 440.31 from November. Key contributors include price hikes in essential food items such as vegetables, kapenta, and mealie meal, alongside rising costs for non-food essentials like toilet paper and sanitary towels. These increases, driven by adverse weather conditions and high production costs, disproportionately affect low-income households, exacerbating challenges in accessing adequate nutrition. JCTR calls for medium-term solutions, including strengthening food security through irrigation projects, reallocating community development funds to agricultural infrastructure, and expanding social protection programmes such as targeted subsidies and cash transfers. These interventions aim to stabilise food prices, address climate-related impacts, and provide relief to vulnerable households, ensuring a sustainable approach to mitigating the rising cost of living. Read the full statement as attached or access it here: https://lnkd.in/dCyXjv_E ________________________ With support from the Norwegian Church Aid / Kirkens Nødhjelp and Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid) alliance (JCP Zambia)

JCTR CDF Monitoring Visits in Full Swing! For what has culminated into over a month of conducting Constituency Development Fund (CDF) monitoring, JCTR has visited eight constituencies: Kanchibiya, Chisamba, Mandevu, Kasama, Kalabo, Livingstone, Masaiti and Nkana. These visits aim to promote transparency, accountability, and community involvement in using the CDF for meaningful development. By verifying data, addressing challenges, and documenting success stories, we’re working towards effective community development and poverty reduction. During our recent visit to Livingstone, monitors commended the progress made but emphasised the need for more community awareness about the CDF, as understanding of the process remains low in some areas. Encouragingly, Ward Development Committees (WDCs) have been highly cooperative, signalling improved local engagement. Stay connected for more updates as we continue building stronger communities through social accountability! #JCTR #SocialAccountability #CDFMonitoring #TransparencyMatters #CommunityDevelopment

November 2024: Marginal Drop in Lusaka’s Cost of Living! The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) reports a slight decrease in the Basic Needs and Nutrition Basket (BNNB) for a family of five in Lusaka, standing at K10,393.16, down from K10, 408.88 in October. While price reductions in staples such as mealie meal and Kapenta offer relief, significant increases in charcoal, chicken, and groundnuts underscore the challenges families continue to face. We call on stakeholders to prioritise affordable energy, support local production, and introduce price-stabilisation measures to cushion households against the high cost of living. Access the full statement here: https://lnkd.in/dmCdT4D8 This continued advocacy is made possible with support from Norwegian Church Aid / Kirkens Nødhjelp and Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid) alliance - Joint Country Programme (JCP Zambia). Together, we are working towards a resilient, inclusive economy for all Zambians. #JCTR #BNNB #EconomicJustice #CostOfLiving #JCPZambia Watch here: https://lnkd.in/dp2ASiSF

🌟 Understanding Our Work Relationships Through Identity This afternoon, participants at the #CLASPS training in Livingstone took part in an engaging identity exercise using animals 🐃🐶🐘🦁🐇 to explore how personality traits influence our work relationships. (See photos) 😅 Each animal symbolised unique styles of interaction, from the strength of a buffalo to the adaptability of a rabbit, helping us reflect on how our traits impact collaboration and communication in achieving effective social protection outcomes. Such exercises not only foster self-awareness but also enhance teamwork and accountability in our mission to create inclusive and responsive social protection systems. #CLASPSProject #SelfAwareness #Teamwork #SocialProtection #foracaringsociety _______________ International Labour Organization, Irish Aid, #SwedenSverige, #UKAid, United Nations in Zambia.

Day 1 of the CLASPS Training in Livingstone! The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has commenced a two-day training under the 'Citizen-Led Accountability in Social Protection Systems' (CLASPS) project. This initiative comes at a critical time when approximately 60% of Zambia’s population lives in poverty, with women, children, and rural communities facing the greatest challenges. The nation grapples with high income inequality (Gini Coefficient: 57.1), a slowing economy, and a devastating drought affecting 9.8 million people. This crisis has disrupted food and energy supplies, causing prolonged load shedding and escalating inflation, particularly in food prices. Today's sessions focus on: ✅ Assessing Social Accountability (SA) and Social Protection (SP) programmes. ✅ Mapping social protection systems within Livingstone. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacity of government departments and community members in integrating rights-based approaches and social accountability tools into social protection systems. The training is supported by Irish Aid, Sweden Sverige, UK Aid, and United Nations in Zambia through the International Labour Organization. We are committed to fostering inclusive and accountable social protection for a better Zambia! 🫶🏿 #CLASPSProject #SocialAccountability #SocialProtection #JCTR #ForACaringSociety #Livingstone

📢 Happening Now! The National Poverty Eradication Conference is in full swing at the Mulungushi Conference Centre! 🏛️ With support from the Norwegian Church Aid / Kirkens Nødhjelp & Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid) alliance (JCP Zambia) and Save the Children International, this gathering of policymakers, CSOs, MPs, and advocates is focused on addressing Zambia’s rising poverty levels. Together, we’re working to shape policies and strategies that promote sustainable, inclusive development and uplift vulnerable communities. Stay connected for key insights and outcomes! #PovertyEradication #SustainableDevelopment #Zambia

Celebrating the Life of Fr. Alex Muyebe, S.J. Join us in honouring Fr. Alex Muyebe, S.J., a beloved servant of faith and justice. Services will be held as follows: Vigil Mass 🗓 Date: Monday, 11 November 2024 (Today) 🕖 Time: 7pm (CAT) 📍 Venue: St. Ignatius Parish, Lusaka 📹 Facebook Live: https://lnkd.in/daSktpBp 📹 YouTube Live: https://lnkd.in/dtZXWKEc Requiem Mass 🗓 Date: Tuesday, 12 November 2024 🕙 Time: 10am (CAT) 📍 Venue: St. Ignatius Parish, Lusaka 📹 Facebook Live: https://lnkd.in/dpm58zPh 📹 YouTube Live: https://lnkd.in/d_qYSZMU 🕊️ Burial: Kasisi Mission following the Mass

Today, the JCTR team gathered to pay our respects to the late Fr. Alex Muyebe, S.J., at St. Ignatius Parish, the Jesuit Community to which he belonged. We joined in prayer and signed the community’s book of condolences. Tomorrow, we will open our own book of condolences at JCTR’s head office. For those wishing to honour Fr. Muyebe’s memory, we invite you to sign the book at 3813, Martin Mwamba Road, Olympia Park, Lusaka. The book will be open throughout the week.