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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Nepal WASH Radio Campaign

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From June to December 2010, the WASH Radio Campaign in Nepal reached communities living in remote districts with water supply, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)-related broadcasts. The weekly radio episodes were intended to serve as a public forum to influence local authorities and decision-makers to improve water supply and sanitation, and to promote healthy hygiene practices. The broadcasts were principally geared toward those living in the rural hills and Tarai region of Nepal.

Communication Strategies

According to organisers, radio is the most widely accessed media in the region, and so is an appropriate medium to turn to for sharing WASH messages. A total of 5 community radio stations aired weekly, locally adapted WASH radio episodes in selected districts with low water and sanitation coverage for half a year. Each programme included what was intended to be a stimulating drama, flash news on WASH, interviews with members of the public, catchy jingles, a quiz of the day, and either an analytic feature or an interactive discussion panel.

 

The campaign especially sought to initiate discussion among decision-makers (parliamentarians, sector professionals, and service providers) and community representatives on WASH issues, mainly on the public's right to water and sanitation, budget allocation, equitable disbursement, and use of sanitation at the local level. The discussions were often held in a public forum, with the goal of sharing best practices, advocating for policy change, promoting sustainable hygiene, and increasing ownership and accountability of delivery.

 

As reported by organisers, edutainment was a central strategy to making WASH "a popular and inspiring topic at the same time". The broadcasts involved a mix of radio formats, manifold topics, and people in front of the microphone - with locally produced poetry and songs.

Development Issues

Water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Key Points

According to organisers, some WASH broadcasts resulted in immediate commitments and actions: Some organisations came forward to conduct a WASH awareness programme for Musahars (a marginalised community); a local political leader in Siraha committed to pushing for the right to water and sanitation during a radio interview; local-level organisations provided water purification tablets; and district health offices carried out health checkups in flood-affected areas after the problems related to poor WASH and diarrhoea incidences had been reported.

Sources

Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) website, February 24 2012; and email from Saskia Castelein to The Communication Initiative on March 2 2012.