The Communication Initiative
Development action with informed and engaged societies
The Communication Initiative

After nearly 28 years, The Communication Initiative (The CI) Global is entering a new chapter. 

Following a period of transition, the global website has been transferred to the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in South Africa, where it will be administered by the Social and Behaviour Change Communication Division. Wits' commitment to social change and justice makes it a trusted steward for The CI's legacy and future. 

On the transfer, co-founder Victoria Martin expressed her pleasure to see this work continue under Wits' leadership, knowing that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction. 

As Wits, we honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades and look forward building from that strong base. This includes co-founders Warren Feek (1953-2024) and Victoria Martin as well as La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA), which continues independently at lainiciativadecomunicacion.com with links to The CI Global site. We are also eager to forge new partnerships and entertain new ideas as we consider how best to contribute to social and behaviour change in our rapidly evolving environment.

If you are joining the International Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) Summit in Panama, please join Wits and CILA on Monday, 22 June, to share your thoughts and suggestion for the relaunch of the Communication Initiative. We will be in Pacifica 5 from 12-1:25 for the Refuel, Reflect, and Renew Lunch Series: The Communication Initiative: celebrating a driving force for Communication for Social Change and the way forward. We will reflect on the legacy of Warren Feek and family in creating the Communication Initiative, consider the contributions of CI over the years and then turn our attention towards the future in this dynamic session. 

If you are unable to join us in Panama, we still want to hear from you. Please contribute your thoughts by following this link: https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026 or reaching out to ci_surveys@commint.com. 

You can also follow the QR Code:

 https://redcap.link/CommunicationInitiative2026

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HIV/AIDS Radio Programmes

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These HIV/AIDS Radio Programmes address HIV/AIDS issues in Kenyan pastoralist communities. The programmes are produced by pastoralists and broadcast in local languages covering the Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit districts in northern Kenya.

The project organiser, ITDG-EA has been working to facilitate the pastoralists in sharing their daily experiences through radio programmes to address HIV/AIDS issues in their communities.
Communication Strategies
The programmes aim to build and strengthen linkages between rural, poor pastoralists and sources of information related to HIV/AIDS awareness. The programmes enable rural pastoral communities in northern Kenya to debate issues of their own choice while a producer from the national radio station Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) tapes their discussions. The programmes are information focused, but aim to entertain through the interest of the audience in hearing the dialogue and debate.

Questions debated through the programmes include cultural practices, use of condoms and living with people with HIV/AIDS in the community. The vernacular radio programmes targets Maa’-, Nga’turkana- and Boran-speaking communities.

Following the broadcast, the producer asks for feedback from relevant local experts and policymakers, and the material is edited into a radio programme for airing nationally at peak listening time in KBC eastern service for local languages.
Development Issues
HIV/AIDS
Key Points
The programmes aim to improve rural people's access to information related to development, including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, using both traditional and new information and communication technologies. The programmes also aim to give a voice to the previously unheard members of the community especially women.
Partners

Panos/ ITDG-EA, Elton John Aids Foundation, Panos Institute London, Kenya Pastoral Forum.

Sources

An e-mail sent by Gregory Akall to The Communication Initiative on May 6, 2004.

Placed on the Soul Beat Africa website June 18 2004.