Final Assessment Report on Public Investment in Children- The Case of Kitwe Zambia

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR), a faith based organization and a ministry of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits), strives to translate into action Christian principles and values related to promoting social justice in Zambia. The quest to promote social justice is well captured in its vision and mission which places emphasis on justice, the centrality of faith and the poor. The JCTR conducts its programmes through research, education, advocacy and consultations respectively. Through a partnership with Save the Children International (SCI), the JCTR is undertaking a project to implement various interventions to promote public investment in children. The project, entitled ‘Public Investment in Children’, has its overall objective being: “Government of Zambia allocates adequate resources and spends effectively on education, health and child protection interventions/services.” The JCTR understands that education and health are basic essentials for any child to thrive and the same can be said about social protection which helps uplift living standards of the most vulnerable in society. To ensure that budgets promote financial allocations that prioritise access to children’s rights, the JCTR is convinced that it is necessary to enhance the understanding of communities and of children themselves for them to play a pivotal role in demanding for these rights. The project targets community members, children, local Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as traditional leaders through seeking to build their capacities to advocate for policies aimed at promoting the rights of children. This project is in line with JCTR’s strategic plan with regards to prioritisation of Kitwe as one of the implementation areas in the country. The project is also a build-up to SCI’s similar work in Lufwanyama district which has yielded some results.