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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Practical Action Technology Support

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Practical Action (formerly called Intermediate Technology Development Group) is a non-governmental organisation that provides people is developing countries with intermediate-level technological support to help them achieve secure livelihoods. This group functions under the premise that appropriate technology is more sustainable than larger industry for improving peoples lives. By working with people, this organisation helps them decide what technologies they need, and show them how to make items for themselves.
Communication Strategies

This organisation relies on a range of activities to reach people in Bangladesh, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Zimbabwe. These include research, technology development, field testing, training, technical assistance and advocacy. An enquiry service with extensive networking allows for international knowledge sharing, and print support materials (over 300 titles) supplement their technology and development goals.

Development Issues

Technological development, food production and processing, disaster mitigation, energy and transport.

Key Points

This group also works to change international politics and policies, to suggest appropriate alternatives, and advise effects of policies. Practical Action aims to give people the support they require to address their needs, whether it be in starting a new business, learning how to conserve firewood, or easing heavy burdens of carrying items. They also provide the information required to improve upon methods and the influence they need to show others how to copy their successes.

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, and the Virginia Wellington Cabot Foundation.

Sources

Developments - The International Development Magazine. "Small is Beautiful" Issue 1, First Quarter 1998. Department for International Development (DFID). Page 21.