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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Polio Eradication and Immunisation: Mobilising and Engaging Communities through Radio Game Shows

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"Public radio show games conducted in local languages for the communities by the communities is the approach likely to promote lasting change and to support communication activities in immunization and polio eradication. Such programmes increase participation, community ownership..." - Bruno Maes, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

From June 10-15 2013, approximately 40 producers and radio broadcasters covering 40 health districts in Chad received training on the design and production of public radio games and programming. The objective of the workshop was to strengthen capacity to produce radio programmes, directly engaging communities and educating them on the importance of vaccination. The session was preceded by a training-of-trainers held in N'Djamena from May 28 to June 2.

Communication Strategies

Developed by experts on community/local radio stations, public radio programmes are designed are to provide a variety of public games of edutainment activities to be broadcast at the community level. An important part of the initiative to eradicate polio in Chad, radio remains one of the main sources of information that reach parents - after public street announcers - on immunisation messaging. During the previous national immunisation campaign against polio (March 2013), 23% of the parents in Chad overall were informed of the vaccination campaign through radio. This proportion amounted to 51% in the area of N'Djamena, 55% in the Kanem region, and 45% in the region of Tandjilé.

 

Following this training, radio show hosts and producers were expected to be able to plan and produce their programmes for the rest of the year (2013).

 

In Chad, UNICEF has established a formal partnership with local radio stations spread over the entire territory. Nearly 40 stations are currently disseminating awareness messages and producing entertainment and educational programmes in local communities, both during and between immunisation campaigns. At the national level, UNICEF also supports a network of communication and social mobilisers, which includes some 3,500 public announcers and 3,300 community volunteers.

Development Issues

Immunisation and Vaccines

Key Points

Chad has made progress towards polio eradication. The country recorded only 5 cases of polio in 2012 and zero cases in 2013, as compared to 132 cases in 2011.

Partners

National Office of Radio and Television of Chad, with the support of UNICEF

Sources

Deux Gouttes: STOP POLIO! website, February 20 2014; and email from Lalaina Fatratra Andriamasinoro to The Communication Initiative on February 21 2014.