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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Published 26 years ago
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Radio Toco - Trinidad & Tobago

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A community radio station on the North Eastern end of Trinidad coordinated by the Toco Foundation, a community-based NGO in Toco in collaboration with the Citizens Agenda Network, a national NGO, both dedicated to working on social development, eradication of poverty, gender equity and environmental protection.
Communication Strategies

Launched in November 1997 with a small 22 watt transmitter, providing only a 5-mile radius of coverage. It transmitted five hours a day to its single village audience. Now (late 1998) it has acquired a larger transmitter, extending coverage to 30 miles (30 villages) reaching an approximate population of 100,000 people. Programming is upbeat and includes interviews with the public, health advisories, consumer and environmental capsules, farming, and news items and music - all Caribbean.
Development Issues

Economic development, social development, political development, women, rights, environment, health.
Key Points

Negotiations for the setting up of the station lasted two years. The broadcasting license was obtained only on direct intervention by the Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday. The staffing, which is volunteer, is 70% female. Programming is determined mostly by the village women who go to the station with complaints and needs. Radio Toco has begun collaboration with other community radio stations, exchanging news and programmes using telephone and fax.
Partners



Supported by UNESCO, Toco Foundation, and Citizens Agenda Network.

Sources

"Media for Community Building in the Caribbean" - paper presented by Jocelyn Josiah.