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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International Center For Media Studies and Development

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International Center For Media Studies and Development (INCEMSADWA) is a non-governmental organisation (NGO) working to promote and develop the media industry in West Africa, especially in Liberia. The organisation supports freedom of the independent press through capacity building, partnership, and advocacy.
Communication Strategies

The organisation uses communication to work for media independence in West Africa. Its core strategies include:

  • training and holding workshops for members of the independent media in an effort to help them produce sound and professional journalism by strengthening their ability to think strategically and make critical decisions on major issues affecting society;
  • building partnerships with local, national and international organisations to develop and empower the independent press; and
  • speaking and engaging in advocacy to promote major issues in journalism today, such as changes in the field's ethics, reporters' and editors’ relationships with their audiences, and ownership and boundaries.


Specifically, INCEMSADWA undertakes projects that are designed to bring about changes in journalism that reflect the field’s diversity and potential - centrally, by strengthening the growth and capacity of the independent press. These programmes include:

  • Media industry: INCEMSADWA engages in newspaper and magazine publication in an effort to help contribute to the reconciliation and peace process in the region. To support this project, the organisation employs the services of qualified, competent, professional, and skilled individuals in the fields of communications, information and journalism.
  • Vocational training Vocational training: INCEMSADWA organises workshops and seminars for professional groups including members of the independent press and human rights institutions. It also provides support services and skills building activities to enhance the work of journalists, such as by conducting training in the area of computer and internet literacy for media practitioners.
  • Internet training: INCEMSADWA conducts internet training workshops for media practitioners and editors. These programmes are designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of journalists to search for information online.
  • Educational programmes: INCEMSADWA conducts academic courses in the field of mass communications that focus on media laws and ethics, news writing and reporting, editing, photo-journalism, marketing, finances and editorial management.
  • Humanitarian aid and prizes: INCEMSADWA provides humanitarian assistance to media institutions and practitioners as well as vulnerable populations in need of assistance. To support this process, the organisation seeks assistance, fellowships, and scholarships from individuals, international media institutions, humanitarian organisations, and aid agencies. INCEMSADWA also gives out prizes on a monthly basis to media practitioners and institutions whose works are believed to have a significant impact on the growth and development of the local press.
Development Issues

Independent Media Development, Rights.