Friday, July 3, 2026 - Lusaka, Zambia

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), with support from Canadian Jesuits International, has successfully conducted a Social Accountability Training of Trainers (ToT) under the project Strengthening Community Participation through Social Accountability at Local Levels in the Lusaka Archdiocese. The initiative brought together selected parish representatives and community stakeholders from Munali Constituency, with the aim of deepening local capacity for civic engagement and participatory governance.

With sessions facilitated by Micomyiza Dieudonne' (Faith & Justice Programme Officer), Dismas Kelly Chisanga, S.J (Faith & Justice Programme Officer), Tymber Felts (Fordham University Winter Intern, Faith & Justice Programme) and Albert Gubanja, S.J (Hekima University College Winter Intern, Faith & Justice Programme) - the training focused on equipping participants with practical knowledge and skills in social accountability, human rights, and Catholic Social Teaching. A newly developed training manual was introduced to guide participants in their future facilitation roles, ensuring consistency, relevance, and sustainability in community-level learning.

At the heart of the intervention is the need to address persistent governance challenges at local level. These include weak communication between Local Authorities and Ward Development Committees (WDCs), limited community participation in monitoring Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects, and delays in the delivery of essential services. These gaps continue to undermine trust and reduce the effectiveness of local development processes.

Through participatory methodologies such as group discussions, scenario-based exercises, and peer learning, participants were not only informed but actively engaged in reflecting on their roles as agents of accountability within their communities. Particular emphasis was placed on strengthening inclusive participation, with a focus on women, young people, and marginalised groups who are often excluded from decision-making spaces.

By the end of the training, participants were better equipped to cascade knowledge within their respective parishes and communities, contributing to a wider network of informed citizens capable of engaging constructively with governance structures.

This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment of Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection, in partnership with Canadian Jesuits International, to promote transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. It further aligns with the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, particularly the emphasis on human dignity, participation, and the common good.

Ultimately, strengthening social accountability at community level remains central to building responsive local governance systems and advancing sustainable development outcomes.