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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Hoima Public Library Health Service

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Operating since 2010, the Hoima Public Library Health Service is working to improve community health through using information and communication technology, public forums, and film screenings to communicate health information, with a particular focus on malaria. Funded by the Hoima Municipal Council, the partnership project also works with technical and information partners.

Communication Strategies

At the library's ICT Health Corner users, especially health workers, can access free internet as well as ICT and online research training. Users are guided through information research, and are also able to access programmes like Skype, Twitter, Facebook, and email. The service covers a range of health issues, but is particularly focused on malaria. Malaria is a special concern in Hoima District because it borders on Lake Albert, which is the seventh largest lake in Africa.

The Library Health Service is sustained and extended through creative partnerships. The National Library of Uganda provides technical support and resources, while experts from the Red Cross/Hoima Branch, the Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organisations, Hoima Nursing School, Hoima Regional Referral Hospital, and the Uganda Association of Private Vocational Institutions (UGAPRIV) offer lecturers for the public health forums and film shows. They also help the library market the service and mobilise the community to attend events, such as public forums and films screenings.

Development Issues

Health

Key Points

According to the Hoima Public Library, in February 2012, just two years after the service was launched, a survey of library users found that over 20% more mothers now had mosquito nets in their homes, and over half are sleeping under the nets regularly, especially during pregnancy. The survey also found a dramatic increase in health seeking behaviour among library users. Over 38% more youth, 39% more men and 29% more women are using the library to seek health information.

In July 2012, Electronic Information for Libraries recognised the Hoima Public Library Health Service as the Africa winner of their Improving Community Health through ICT award.

Partners

Hoima Public Library, National Library of Uganda, Red Cross/Hoima Branch, Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations, Hoima Nursing School,  Hoima Regional Referral Hospital and the Uganda Association of Private Vocational Institutions (UGAPRIV).

Sources