What is The Church’s Social Teaching Saying About Children’s Rights?

This booklet has been prepared to assist Christian groups ( e.g., Youth groups, Justice and Peace groups, Bible Study groups, Small Christian Communities, Fellowship groups, etc.) to learn more about what the Church Social Teaching (CST) and Scriptures say about the rights of children. It is designed as a study guide consisting of four sessions, which can be taken slowly without rushing through the process.In most societies, there is great importance and value attached to children, although this varies between and within societies or cultures. In many parts of Africa, children represent both lineage continuity and material survival of communities. Children are viewed as a source of support for those in need, particularly the elderly in society. Among the Dinka and Nuer people of Southern Sudan, for example, children are the main reason for everything a family does. For these people, a man who dies without surviving children, dies a complete death and is accorded no permanent place in the male ancestry

What is The Church's Social Teaching Saying about Human Trafficking

“Defence of the dignity of the human person is a basic principle of Church social teaching. The bond between the person and the Creator is the foundation of his or her dignity and of fundamental inalienable rights guaranteed by God. No individual, society or human institution has the right to reduce a person to the status of an object. Our belief that God is at the origin of human kind radically affirms the equal dignity of all persons. This conviction ensures that nothing can justify any servitude of the weak or less fortunate”, (Archdiocese of Vancouver, Canada, Pastoral Letteron Human Trafficking, 2010).Trafficking in persons (Human Trafficking) has become a well documented issue although it remains in some way invisible to our eyes. The stories of human trafficking we hear about are often of people who have been rescued and are able to narrate what actually befell them. Many other stories, however, go untold because the people that should tell these stories are trapped in areas known only to them and those who have held them captive to exploit them for various reasons. Whether told or untold, situations of human trafficking compromise the core human value of human dignity, that which is at the centre of all human rights catalogued in the United Nations' instruments as well as in individual countries' constitutions and other documents. This value stems from the fact that we are made in the image and likeness of God, meaning the sacredness of any human being is not the status one has acquired socially, economically or politically

“Contributing to good governance and improvement of quality of life of citizens”

At the JCTR, we are clearly proponents of active citizenship but we by no means deceive ourselves that simply calling Zambians to speak out and come together to identify and find solutions to their problems, will necessarily address all the challenges confronting them. For active citizen to thrive, we need an environment and a culture that promotes it. There are certainly hurdles that exist that should be overcome but we have to start from somewhere and embrace a wide range of citizen behaviours from registering to vote, actually voting, participating in community affairs, lobbying representatives and officials. An active citizen is not necessarily a “good citizen” in the sense that they follow the rules. An active citizen may challenge the rules and existing structures provided they do so within the bounds of the democratic process and not become involved in violent actsZambia witnessed historic elections on 20 September 2011 in which the Patriotic Front (PF) emerged winners ousting the former ruling party the Movement for Multi Party Democracy MMD. The September elections, ended 20 years in power for the Movement for Multiparty Democracy, and were acclaimed by many as a rare example in Africa of a peaceful transition of political power to an opposition party. Zambian’s had demonstrated their commitment to exercising their democratic right to vote. Prior to actual exercise of voting in 2011 elections, the JCTR provided platforms for citizens to discuss among others; the values that should determine one’s choice of a public office holder, what makes for free and fair elections, peaceful election environment etc. These platforms illustrated the keenness of most citizens to get involved and influence political change through an election. Recognizing that exercise of one’s democratic right does not end when the votes are tallied and the winners announced, JCTR saw the need to sustain the momentum and the political activity demonstrated during election by educating citizens on the concept of active citizenship beyond elections. Although voting is among the most important acts a citizen can engage in, there are other means to influence as a citizen. The Centre has sustained debates on governance issues beyond elections through public forums on Active Citizenship in different towns. The forums are aimed at encouraging public participation in political processes as well as any issues of common concern. This booklet is a product of JCTR’s interaction with the public. It is intended to educate the public on the role of a citizen, by exploring different dimensions of citizenship. It also reminds different actors, such as the Church, Government, Political Parties and CSOs of their role in building Active Citizenship for democratic participation. The booklet will also serve as a resource for JCTR Outreach Teams, in their awareness raising on citizenship. As JCTR, we recognise the importance of building a strong democracy with active participation. We would therefore appreciate any thoughts on how best development can be realised through providing spaces for citizens’ engagement, beyond elections, in the governance of the countr

ACCESS TO INFORMATION LAW IN ZAMBIA: FOR WHO AND FOR WHAT?

To access information is both a human right and a social need. It is a necessity particularly in a democracy where every citizen has a role to play in the governance of the country. It promotes transparency and accountability; it helps in the fight against corruption and generally leads to open governments and to effective democratic participation by the public. Government has an obligation to make access to information possible as a duty-bearer, while the public in entitled to demand that their right is fulfilled. When there is no legal channel to do so, the challenge of enjoying this right is greatly increased. Thus, the duty-bearer and the rights-holders have a responsibility to play their part in ensuring the enjoyment of access to information. Concerted efforts from the wider civil society and the public that can ensure there is an ATI law in Zambia, just as there are in several African countries. Thus, the ATI Bill must become a reality in Zambia.Since the coming of the Patriotic Front (PF) party into power, there has been great public expectation about the enactment of the Access to Information law. This public expectation arose from the fact that it was one of the party’s campaign promises while in opposition. After winning the September 2011 general elections, which ushered the party into government, the PF continued with this promise. In 2012, the PF-led government established a Taskforce on ATI with a remit to draft the Bill. This increased hope among the public that the government would deliver on that score. In June 2012, the government produced a draft ATI Bill, which raised more public expectation that the law would finally be enacted by the end of that year. Disappointingly, it has now been seven years of PF rule and there have been no further significant signs of commitment to this particular campaign promise. This booklet therefore serves as an educational tool on the right to access information. It is also aimed at reminding different stakeholders of their duty to demand the ATI law. The booklet furthermore takes stock of efforts made in this regard, challenges experienced and the steps different stakeholders need to take, which include government and the general citizenr

WHAT IS THE CHURCH SOCIAL TEACHING SAYING ABOUT CHILDREN’S RIGHTS?

This booklet has been prepared to assist Christian groups ( e.g., Youth groups, Justice and Peace groups, Bible Study groups, Small Christian Communities, Fellowship groups, etc.) to learn more about what the Church Social Teaching (CST) and Scriptures say about the rights of children. It is designed as a study guide consisting of four sessions, which can be taken slowly without rushing through the process.In most societies, there is great importance and value attached to children, although this varies between and within societies or cultures. In many parts of Africa, children represent both lineage continuity and material survival of communities. Children are viewed as a source of support for those in need, particularly the elderly in society. Among the Dinka and Nuer people of Southern Sudan, for example, children are the main reason for everything a family does. For these people, a man who dies without surviving children, dies a complete death and is accorded no permanent place in the male ancestry