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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Civic Education

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This UNESCO project was initiated to educate the public for peace and good governance through the use of a radio team. The project aimed to contribute to the development of long-lasting, secure peace in Somalia through developing discussion among Somalis and agencies about culture of peace and good governance values, attitudes and practices. This volunteer based community education project targeted Somalis living in Somalia and in refugee camps in adjacent countries.
Communication Strategies

Two radio formats, a soap opera format (Geedka Nabadda, Tree of Peace) and a radio magazine format (Muuqaalka Nolosha, Visions of Life). The magazine included interviews, plays, discussions, and songs.A monthly print magazine (Haama-dhawr) supplementary is distributed by many volunteers.

Development Issues

Security (rape theft and banditry), education quality and quantity, women, youth, divorce, environment, governmental roles, grassroots communication

Key Points

The main focus for the campaign was peace building at the "grassroots" level by encouraging community group discussions about peace and peace activities based on people's current everyday life. The people involved in implementing the project had prior experience and commitment to working for peace and had a background in media and development. The project also performed training and monitoring activities, with workshops in participatory research and community radio, and also with the creation of databases of peace activities in Somalia and refugee camps and also for the feedback and input from the radio programmes.

Partners

Support provided by private donors and The Peace Development Fund, The Funding Exchange, The US/Mexico Fund for Culture, The Angeles Arrien Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research, Downtown Community TV, Museum of Modern Art/NYC, Vanguard Public Foundation & the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation.

Sources

UNESCO website.