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.
 
Co-founder Victoria Martin is pleased to see this work continue under Wits' leadership. Victoria knows that co-founder Warren Feek (1953–2024) would have felt deep pride in The CI Global's Africa-led direction.
 
We honour the team and partners who sustained The CI for decades. Meanwhile, La Iniciativa de Comunicación (CILA) continues independently at cila.comminitcila.com and is linked with The CI Global site.
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HIV Positive Voices Documentary

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"HIV Positive Voices" is a documentary following the lives of 4 people who are living with HIV/AIDS in Baltimore, Maryland, United States. Co-produced by Stuart Television Productions and John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Communication Programs, the film portrays in a very personal way what it is like to live with HIV. It is accompanied by a discussion guide that is designed to help viewers understand and process various aspects of the film.
Communication Strategies
This initiative uses the medium of film to help communicate the real-life stories of people experiencing a disease, thereby hopefully humanising their struggles and helping to combat the stigma and discrimination that can come from a lack of empathy and understanding. Each of the 4 people - 2 women and 2 men - profiled in this documentary represents a different mode of HIV transmission. They openly share their strategies for coping with AIDS-related social stigma, rigourous treatment regimen, and related health problems. While sharing these struggles, the participants' voices also intend to communicate that it is possible to live a productive and positive life even if you are HIV-positive.

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are being used to bring the film to a broader, more global audience. One may view the trailer by clicking here (or order a free copy, here). In addition, after one full year of dissemination, a contest was held to find the "best" use of the film. The thousands of recipients of the film were invited via email to visit the HIV Positive Voices website and to click on a link that existed then ("Impact Evaluation"). The US$250 prize was awarded to Chen Yaohong of China, who translated the film into Chinese and reported that viewers there drew profound inspiration from it.
Development Issues
HIV/AIDS.
Key Points
In the United States, Baltimore ranks third in reported AIDS cases per 100,000 population.

Since "HIV Positive Voices" premiered in December 2003, thousands of copies have been requested from over 68 countries around the world. It has been viewed by diverse groups ranging from Ghanaian church youth groups to the US President's Council on HIV and AIDS.
Partners

Stuart Television Productions and the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health's Center for Communication Programs. Funding provided by the Mary Wohlford Foundation and the Baltimore City Health Department.

Sources

In the Spotlight, Media/Materials Clearinghouse (M/MC), October 2006; HIV Positive Voices website; and email from Kim Martin to The Communication Initiative on February 26 2007.