ID 393 Success Story
By: SAP Southern Africa, JCAM (Africa & Madagascar)
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), based in Lusaka, Zambia, has been committed since its founding in 1988 to advancing social justice rooted in Catholic Social Teaching. Over time, its mission has evolved to address the changing signs of the times, one of the most urgent being climate justice. In a nation where livelihoods are inextricably linked to the land, the effects of climate change have become impossible to ignore. JCTR programme officers Micomyiza Dieudonn’e, Martin Changa Sikonsa, and John Kunda Suati, led by Director Fr. Daniel Mutale, SJ, now actively integrate ecological and climate justice as a core thematic focus in their work, reflecting a commitment to the reconciliation of all creation, in line with Universal Apostolic Preference #4.
Zambia is facing a climate emergency. Once relatively stable, the country’s climate has become increasingly erratic, marked by prolonged droughts, flash floods, extreme temperatures, and unpredictable rainfall. This volatility has severely impacted key sectors such as agriculture and energy, which are foundational to Zambia’s economic and social well-being. As one participant of a JCTR programme said, “you have come at the right time. When you see our farms, the maize is dead. There is no rain.” These climate shocks have not only disrupted food production and access to water but have also been related to issues of poverty, malnutrition, and gender-based violence. The situation is especially dire for rural households that rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture and lack the financial means to adapt.
The consequences of this ecological instability extend beyond the environment—threatening Zambia’s efforts to combat poverty, ensure food security, and manage its natural resources sustainably. It is against this backdrop that JCTR has increasingly positioned climate justice not as a stand-alone concern, but as central to its broader mission of promoting human dignity and equity.
The Jesuit Centre does not view ecological justice as separate from its other work. Instead, it sees the fight for climate justice as inherently linked to its holistic mission—encompassing economic, political, cultural, and human development. This approach is guided by key principles of Catholic Social Teaching: the dignity of every person, the common good, and a preferential option for the poor. Because climate change disproportionately affects the poor, addressing its causes and consequences is a matter of moral urgency. JCTR advocates for systemic change, aiming to reform policies and practices that reinforce environmental degradation and social inequality. This intersectional approach ensures that ecological concerns are addressed hand-in-hand with poverty reduction, human rights, and sustainable development.
A particularly urgent focus for JCTR has been promoting agroecology—a sustainable farming model that combines traditional agricultural knowledge with ecological principles, which is also a key theme of the Jesuits for Climate Justice COP 30 Campaign. Agroecology offers a viable alternative to industrial agriculture, which in Zambia often depends heavily on chemical fertilizers and hybrid seeds that are costly and environmentally harmful. Externally-imposed agricultural practices are often not contextually-appropriate for the needs of diverse environments, such as the difference between the relative dry-ness of the southern region compared with the northern region. As a resident of Chikuni in Monze, Southern Province, said, “we are in trouble. There is hunger in our community here. I remember long time ago we used to farm things like sorghum, millet, cassava. These crops are drought resistance. But with the coming of the Farmer Input Support Programme [a government initiative], we have all started growing maize, and we are now seeing that the maize is not drought resistant.” By incorporating local knowledge, the food shortage could have been mitigated.
Despite its potential, agroecology remains under-supported in Zambia’s national agricultural policy. While the 2013–2030 National Agricultural Policy acknowledges the need for sustainable farming in light of climate change, it lacks specific support for agroecological practices. Current policies prioritize private-sector investment and overlook the importance of local seed varieties, soil health, and farmer rights. JCTR is working to change this by advocating for policy revisions that recognize and protect agroecological methods. This includes pushing for the simplification of seed registration processes, legal recognition of farmer’s rights, and alignment with international frameworks that promote sustainable agriculture.
True to its mission, JCTR also acts as a bridge between grassroots communities and national policymakers, ensuring that climate adaptation strategies are not only scientifically sound but also socially just and locally informed. In recent years, the Centre has facilitated key dialogue meetings between rural community members and national policy actors. These engagements serve dual purposes of amplifying community voices about how climate change is affecting their lives and shaping national responses by presenting policymakers with concrete proposals for making climate and agricultural policies more inclusive and effective. These dialogues have strengthened advocacy efforts for climate-resilient and locally grounded solutions, such as early warning systems, water conservation strategies, and the promotion of indigenous knowledge in farming.
Discussion of JCTR’s climate work would be incomplete without mentions of the late Fr. Alex Muyebe, executive director from 2020-2024. Micomyiza Dieudonn’e tells us that Fr. Muyebe “spearheaded JCTR’s “Community Action on Climate Change Adaptation and Environmental Management” initiative, empowering communities across three Zambian provinces. Fr. Muyebe consistently framed climate and environmental issues as justice matters urging fair budget allocations for water, sanitation, and renewable energy, and pushing for domestically driven green development. Fr. Muyebe was not content with just speaking out, he worked collaboratively with the National Assembly, civil society organizations, and local leaders to shape public policy and dialogue. Under his leadership, JCTR became a trusted voice in environmental governance.”
The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection exemplifies the Laudato Si insight that climate justice is inseparable from social justice. In a country like Zambia, where the impacts of climate change are immediate and deeply felt, the Centre’s work is not just about adaptation—it is about transformation. By promoting agroecology, supporting policy reform, and ensuring that the voices of the marginalized are heard, JCTR is a strong example of the living the Jesuit mission.
Special thanks to Micomyiza Dieudonn’e, Fr. Daniel Mwamba Mutale, SJ, PhD, and Rev. Dr. Boyd Kapyunga Nyirenda, SJ, for their support and collaboration in the creation of this article.
