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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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Galz & Goals Project

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Launched in November 2009, Galz & Goals is a Namibian programme using sport as a platform to promote individual health and social responsibility, as well as to empower girls and young women to achieve their goals. A partnership between the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Namibia Football Association (NFA), and SCORE (Sports Coaches Outreach), the sporting programme centres on football competitions and festivals, and is complemented by a curriculum for teachers, coaches, parents, and players to support communicating and teaching healthy lifestyles. The curriculum includes information on HIV/AIDS, drug and alcohol abuse, and gender discrimination.

Communication Strategies

Designed for girls aged 9-15, Galz & Goals (G&G) encourages them to live a healthy life through participating in football ("soccer") leagues and festivals. On joining the league through school or community teams, girls become Galz & Goals members and receive a G&G Passport containing an oath and tips on living a healthy life, encouraging dreams and aspirations. They also receive a booklet introducing football and healthy living through tips and interactive games using female Namibian and international role models.

 

Structured leagues are created in each region by teachers, parents, girls, coaches, and volunteers from the community. They receive training on life skills topics through workshops in which they also become Namibian Football Association (NFA)-certified coaches. SCORE facilitators integrate a curriculum of self-confidence, peer leadership, role modeling, fair play, and gender awareness with training on the delivery of Kicking AIDS Out activities (games designed to educate girls on HIV and life skills through movement games) for use in training sessions and festivals.

 

Periodic festivals create a platform for establishing teams, sparking interest in women's football, giving opportunities for girls to participate in sports, and educating community members of the importance of empowering young girls. According to Galz & Goals, in the first three years of the programme, the festivals have attracted around 2,500 girls, and more than 1,800 girls participate in regular trainings and league games.

 

For more information, visit the 'NFA Galz and Goals' Facebook page.

Development Issues

Sport, Girls’ Empowerment, Health

Key Points

The Inside World Football magazine credited the Galz & Goals initiative with helping to create one of the most vibrant national programmes in Africa for young female footballers. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) nominated the NFA under-15 girls team to represent Africa at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Partners

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Namibia Football Association (NFA), SCORE (Changing Lives Through Sport), and SPAR Group Western Cape/Namibia.

Sources

UNICEF website; Beyond Sport website; Inside World Football website; and Inside World Football website - all accessed on December 5 2012; and email from Astrid Fikse Vries to The Communication Initiative on December 12 2012.