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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National Youth Dialogue on Peace and Violence - United States

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Established in 2002, this programme facilitates an internet-based conversation between youth of all ages on the role of peace and violence in their lives. The dialogue is conducted by youth Peace Teams based in United States schools, community organisations, religious groups, organisations working with incarcerated youth, and other youth-oriented spaces.
Communication Strategies
Central to this forum are Peace Teams composed of between 3 and 25 young people aged 5-18 and one adult (called an Adult Advisor). Peace Teams have the option of participating in one or both of two dialogue periods, October-December, 2002 and January-April, 2003. Every two weeks during these periods, the Dialogue Managers (PeaceTech and Peace Village Projects) will pose several discussion topics to Peace Teams via a private website open to Peace Team registrants only. The Peace Teams will then discuss the issues that interest them, posting highlights of their conversation on the website along with stories, poems, or pictures. They can then respond to the material that other Peace Teams have posted. There is no cost associated with participation.

The Peace Teams will be encouraged to find creative ways to spread the benefits of the Dialogue beyond their groups by offering something back to their community on the topics that they have explored. In addition, PeaceTech and The Peace Consortium will eventually produce several products from this Dialogue, including:
  • The Peace Book for Teens (by teens, with an accompanying adult guide)
  • The Peace Book for Kids (by kids, with an accompanying adult guide)
  • A report on peace and violence in youth society
The goal is to put 3 million copies of each book into circulation in schools, malls, youth groups, and clubs. In August 2003, representatives from each Peace Team will convene for a National Youth Conference to share and review the basic lessons of the Dialogue, engage in skill-building activities, and finalise the content of these books.
Development Issues
Youth, Children, Conflict.
Key Points
Discussion topics for the dialogue were developed by focus groups of young people across the United States. The website that is hosting the dialogue was pre-tested by 20 Peace Teams and is ready for national use.
Partners

PeaceTech, Peace Village Projects, Heartworks Renaissance Schools, Boyle & Associates, The Center for Violence Prevention, Barak Educational Consulting Services, We Care for Youth, Mary Dumas & Associates, Barash Mediation Services.

Sources

Letters sent from Ina Thorner to The Communication Initiative on July 17, 2002 and December 23, 2003; and Peacebook site.