The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) is a research, education and advocacy team that promotes study and action on issues linking Christian faith and social justice in Zambia. The Centre engages in research on key social issues like the cost of living, social implications of debt servicing, accessibility of healthcare and education, and integrity of local democracy.

Working with SCIAF, the project played a key role in fighting the multinational company Donegal International, a so-called Vulture Fund, which was trying to claim $55 million from the Zambian government. The Centre puts forward their findings in publications, workshops, conferences and media presentations.

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection has joined three other organisations in Zambia to promote rural food security. JCTR will collate the evidence of the impact of the other three partners’ work and use this to lobby at government level for policies and practices promoting organic conservation agriculture.

In September, SCIAF took all four partners on a study tour visiting Zambia, Malawi, Kenya and Burundi. The study tour allowed members of each organisation to view different techniques, such as organic agriculture and agro-forestry, in practice and successfully improving food security among farmers. The aim of the study tour was to stimulate the participant’s knowledge and understanding of different approaches and techniques that can be used to improve food security.

In 2009 SCIAF continued to support the work of the Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection by sending grants of over £46,000 to assist them with their work.