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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Dear Tjomma (Friend)

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Dear Tjomma (Friend) is a global dia(blog)ue about HIV/AIDS in Africa. It is a web-based resource aimed at raising HIV/AIDS awareness in Africa, inviting participation from people around the world. The blog was launched to create dialogue among those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa and globally. Dear Tjomma is hosted by the Canada-based AfricaFiles, a network of volunteers relaying African perspectives and alternative analyses for viable human development in the interest of justice and human rights.
Communication Strategies

This programme draws on information and communication technologies (ICTs) to involve Africans and others who otherwise would be unable to attend the next International Conference on HIV/AIDS, scheduled for Toronto in 2006. The blog discussion will serve as part of the pre-conference dialogue, as well as the foundation for a printed publication which will be sold as part of the working group's medium-term campaign goal.

Dear Tjomma uses writing to create a dialogue about HIV/AIDS to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS support in Africa. It encourages students and the public to offer comments and questions about living with HIV/AIDS. To foster this spirit of participation, a working group was formed, with several students adding their support.

Specifically, the Dear Tjomma blog encourages the public to post ideas and views using the "comments" section. The blog is interactive; questions and comments feed the dialogue to come which, in turn, becomes the basis of a campaign to raise awareness and funds.

Development Issues

HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

This blog is hosted by Kenn Chaplin, AIDS Editor for AfricaFiles, who was diagnosed as HIV-positive in 1989. He hopes that the Dear Tjomma dialogue, which was initiated by students and staff at Humber College in Toronto, Canada, will draw the world into conversation about HIV/AIDS.

Editor's note: As of September 2005, this blog is no longer active. Please communicate with AfricaFiles at the address listed below for further information.

Sources

AF-AIDS eforum on December 10 2004.