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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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Media Workshop on Polio Eradication for Somalia and the Somali Region of Ethiopia

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The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) held a polio awareness workshop for journalists from Somalia and the Somali region of Ethiopia, from October 16-18 2006, in Hargeisa, north-west Somalia. Forty-eight journalists from media houses - radio stations, in particular - participated. A key purpose of the initiative was to improve the understanding of the Polio Eradication Initiative (PEI) by the media representatives, who would then be expected to produce and disseminate unbiased, accurate, and pertinent information on polio eradication and other immunisation activities.

Communication Strategies

The purpose of the interpersonal event was to address and clear misconceptions on oral polio vaccine (OPV) safety, disseminate correct information on the benefits of the PEI, and to promote receptiveness for immunisation activities so that journalists could share this information with the public. More specifically:

  • Journalists were briefed on the polio eradication programme, as well as global, regional, and country-level wild poliovirus status (WPV). The necessity for repeated use of the oral polio vaccine (OPV) was explained. In addition, the newly introduced policies and measures taken by the Islamic countries against polio-endemic countries were shared.
  • Messages for the media on polio were developed and disseminated. The content highlights dates of the upcoming Supplementary Immunisation Activities (SIAS), as well as facts and figures on polio in the Horn of Africa.
  • Media operational plans were developed for the forthcoming immunisation campaigns, which included regular news updates on polio progress, a feature programme for each media outlet, etc.
  • A "renowned journalist - of Somali origin and from BBC London" - met with and advised the local Somali-speaking journalists on how to prepare credible stories that have correct information, as well as a human angle, to their audience. Strengthening BBC collaboration for the subsequent SIAs was discussed.
  • The Adviser to the President of the Somali Regional State of Ethiopia met with the communication team to discuss approaches to strengthen the support and engagement for PEI at the highest level of political leadership. Consequently, a proposal was made to assign a polio focal person at the Somali Regional President Bureau, who would follow up directly on the proper implementation of the program together with the team at the Regional Health Bureau.
  • Frequently asked questions (FAQs) with answers were provided for further reference and understanding.
Development Issues

Immunisation and Vaccines.

Partners

UNICEF and WHO.

Sources

"Media Workshop on Polio Eradication for Somalia and the Somali Region of Ethiopia", October 18 2006.