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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Tikambe: Let's talk about sex

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Author: Sandi Chimpala, June 6 2016 - Standing in a dark TV studio, Sharon Mutale poured out her heart.

"While in school I got pregnant...I was 16 years old. At that point my father stopped supporting me financially at school. He was very upset. When I met with my boyfriend I didn't know that I could get pregnant. I was so young...we were both young."

Now aged 19, Sharon hopes to continue with her education so she can get work to support her relatives and her child.

Let's talk

Sharon was sharing her story as part of Tikambe (Let’s Talk), a TV and radio show helping young people in Zambia learn more about protecting their sexual health. It gives advice on contraceptives, identifying sexually transmitted diseases and where to find health clinics. What’s more our viewers and listeners can learn from young people who are going through similar problems.

Our first episode focused on teenage pregnancy, and, in addition to Sharon, we interviewed a high-profile Zambian media entrepreneur, Lulu Haangala.

Visibly affected by Sharon’s story, Lulu shared her own experience and explained how she had gone into deep depression during her first pregnancy.

Without the support of a partner, it was financially and emotionally hard on her. After having the child Lulu ended up in a string of abusive relationships.

Eventually she re-discovered her self-confidence, met a very loving husband and is now expecting her second child.

Sharon and Lulu’s stories sent a powerful message to young people. Getting pregnant while young can affect anyone, from business women to school pupil, though with the right support, there is light at the end of the tunnel. It really struck a chord on social media.

"@tikambezambia great first episode.Sharon's story was quite touching.Looking forward to the next ones #tikambe"
 
"just watched #tikambe. Sharon's story is so sad. I hope things get better for her and I wish her the best!"

Many young mothers, affected by the same issue as Sharon and Lulu, were inspired by the show and got in touch.

As one viewer said,"Thanks for being an inspiration. I guess we grow from our past mistakes and make a better life for our children. I never knew how strong I was until I heard your story."

The social media response alone made me certain that Tikambe TV is exactly what both parents and children need. The show is a way of sharing inspiring stories, a source of information, and perhaps most importantly, a prompt to talk about sexual issues when people don’t know where to start.

Click here to access this BBC Media Action blog and related links on their work in Zambia.
Image credit: BBC Media Action


Contact:
BBC Media Action
BBC Media Centre, MC3A, 201 Wood Lane
London
W12 7TQ
United Kingdom (UK)
Phone: 44 (0) 20 8008 0001
Fax: 44 (0) 20 8008 5970
Media.action@bbc.co.uk