Development action with informed and engaged societies

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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Networking for Policy Change: TB/HIV Advocacy Training Manual

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SummaryText

This document is adapted for trainings when tuberculosis (TB)/HIV is the focus of advocacy. It is adapted from Networking for Policy Change: An Advocacy Training Manual, a resource for facilitators of family planning and reproductive health advocacy issues worldwide. The training manual includes information on networking, communications, and policy environments; exercises on conceptualising, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating advocacy campaigns; and relevant materials for advocates. Facilitators can use the training techniques employed in the manual in various contexts. It is intended to reach individuals and institutions at national and local levels who advocate for TB and HIV.

As indicated in the resource, the building blocks of advocacy are the formation of networks, the identification of political opportunities, and the organisation of campaigns. The manual includes a section on each of these building blocks, with specific subjects presented in individual units. Each section begins with a general introduction to the topic. Units within each section contain background notes, learning objectives, and handouts. The approximate time required to complete each unit is indicated as are the needed materials and preparation. Within each unit, activities such as role plays, discussions, and brainstorming are presented to help participants internalise their learning. Each unit concludes with a brief summary and a preview of the next unit.

 

The contents include:

 

Introduction and Overview

 

Section I. The Power of Numbers: Networking for Impact

  1. What Are Advocacy Networks?
  2. Effective Communication: Understanding One Another
  3. Cooperation Not Competition: Building a Team
  4. Decision Making: Reaching Group Consensus
  5. Mission Statements: Creating a Common Purpose
  6. Putting It All Together: Managing the Network 

Section II. Actors, Issues, and Opportunities: Assessing the Policy Environment

  1. The Policy Process: Government in Action
  2. Decision Making for TB/HIV: Analyzing the Policy Climate
  3. Prioritizing Policy Issues: Making the Best Matches 

Section III. The Advocacy Strategy: Mobilizing for Action

  1. What Is Advocacy?
  2. Issues, Goals, and Objectives: Building the Foundation
  3. Target Audiences: Identifying Support and Opposition
  4. Messages: Informing, Persuading, and Moving to Action
  5. Data Collection: Bridging the Gap between Communities and Policymakers
  6. Fundraising: Mobilizing Resources
  7. Implementation: Developing an Action Plan
  8. Monitoring and Evaluation

 

Handouts and References 
Publication Date
Number of Pages

226

Source

Stop TB Partnership website, December 13 2010.