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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NGO Coalition to Mark World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse - Global

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This programme, sponsored by the Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF), is part of an effort to strengthen the impact of the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse (held November 19 each year). The larger purpose of the NGO Coalition is to contribute to the creation of a culture of prevention of child abuse and to form a global partnership network to raise awareness, mobilise public opinion and action, and disseminate prevention programmes.
Communication Strategies
This initiative draws on in-person exchanges and information and communication technologies (ICTs) to build a network, "thereby amplifying the voice of organisations and individuals concerned about the increase of millions of children who are trafficked and sexually exploited around the world (Convention article 34: 'the State shall protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse, including prostitution and involvement in pronography')."

The Coalition is open to international and national organisations; membership is free of charge. Members commit to:
  • mark the Day with local and national events and activities
  • mention the Day in their publications and on their websites
  • distribute posters, educational programmes, and information
  • create partnerships with local organisations working for the promotion and protection of the rights of the child
  • alert the press and radio stations, inform local authorities of the existence of the Day and planned activities, and lobby governments for official proclamation of the Day as a National Day.
Each year, WWSF sends campaign materials to mark the Day and publishes the list of member NGOs on the official poster and on the WWSF website.
Development Issues
Children, Rights, Health.
Key Points
Addressing the problem of child abuse, especially sexual abuse, demands increased attention and enhanced protection skills and prevention measures at familial, local, national, and international levels. To motivate governments and civil society organisations to play a more active role in the promotion of and respect for the rights of the child (articles 19 and 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child), in 2000 WWSF launched the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse. This Day, to be commemorated every November 19 in synergy with the anniversary of the International Day for the rights of the child (November 20), aims to rally organisations and individuals around the issue of child abuse.

To transform the Day into a global call for action, in 2001 WWSF launched an international NGO Coalition that included 149 organisations in 60 countries. The activities and events that these NGOs initiated to mark the Day are compiled in a published impact report, which may be downloaded by clicking here.
Sources

Letter sent from the Dignity Fund for Children to The Communication Initiative on May 8 2002; and WWSF website.