Child rights action with informed and engaged societies

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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COMMUNICATIONS X-CHANGE

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The COMMUNICATIONS X-CHANGE is an online library of materials contributed by organisations and individuals around the world who are working to end violence against women and children. Contents of the searchable database highlight the effectiveness of using communication to stimulate change in attitudes and beliefs, influence social norms, and empower individuals and communities. A wide assortment of international content includes flyers, posters, videos, brochures, educational materials, and more, all of which are available for viewing and downloading free of charge. There are also links to relevant news stories, such as an April 29 2013 article announcing an initiative through which Israeli-Arab activists set out in 2 motorised processions, passing through Arab towns and villages in southern and northern Israel, followed by a joint demonstration to protest violence against women. The website also includes links to lessons and learnings from global initiatives and from specific regions around the world.

The COMMUNICATIONS X-CHANGE also engages people to share insights, learning, and analyses using 2 models: (i) the diffusion model: broadcasting a compelling case from an authoritative source to convince people to change their thinking or behaviour; and (ii) the participatory model: encouraging community engagement by involving local people and groups to craft and deliver the anti-violence message. People are encouraged to submit their materials dedicated to preventing violence against women and children and to use the information they find here to raise awareness and take action.

The resource was developed by Futures Without Violence with support from the Avon Foundation for Women and has benefited from the contributions of organisations and experts from around the world.

Source

Email from Amy Bank to The Communication Initiative on May 8 2013; and COMMUNICATIONS X-CHANGE, May 9 2013.