Media
Media development action with informed and engaged societies
Media
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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Africa Challengers

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Africa Challengers is a project that organises and facilitates various workshops in Tanzania and Ethiopia addressing youth vocational training, gender equality, reproductive health, and the creation and organisation of clubs, associations, and leagues. The programme is carried out by international volunteers who take part in communication-education to pass on HIV/AIDS and gender awareness messages.
Communication Strategies

This initiative involves international exchange, fostered by the training of volunteers. The project began with nine Canadian volunteers who travelled to Tanzania and Ethiopia in September 2004 for the programme. The Tanzanian participants had a week’s training and Swahili lessons under the guidance of Sam MacDonald, Programme Director, and Alison Ellwood, Programme Assistant. The Ethiopian participants worked directly with Russ Mackenzie, Programme Coordinator in Addis Ababa, to prepare for the project in rural Debra Sina.

Both programmes entail train-the-trainer sessions for youth in Tanzania and Ethiopia on subjects such as HIV/AIDS and adolescent reproductive health awareness, rural women’s rights, and awareness of the risks associated with traditional practices such as female genital mutilation. These sessions use song, theatre, dance, and peer education as communication tools. Canadian Challengers and local youth trainers then travel to rural villages by foot so they can spread their messages to the rural families.

Development Issues

Youth, Gender, HIV/AIDS.

Partners

Youth Challenge International (YCI), Emmanuel Development Association in Ethiopia, and Africa Alive in Tanzania. Funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Sources

Email from Amanda Stephens to The Communications Initiative on November 9 2004.