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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Advocacy and Awareness Campaign on HIV/AIDS Prevention

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In July 2008, Pakistan's Northern Areas AIDS Control Consortium (NAACC) collaborated with Karakuram Cooperative Bank Limited (KCBL) in an effort to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it. Their activities were carried out at the Polo Festival of Shandur 2008, which NACCC describes as "the world highest polo ground (12,500 feet)...where thousands of national and international tourists and hundreds of different organizations participated..."
Communication Strategies

This initiative drew on what is characterised as a popular sporting event in order to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and to motivate people to change their behaviour so as to halt its spread. NAACC organised promotional activities that involved various media, such as banners displayed at key points with slogans on HIV/AIDS prevention and information, education, and communication (IEC) materials. In addition, NAACC was on hand at the festival to offer individual counselling sessions, and to make announcements highlighting the issue and calling upon the masses to take precautionary steps to stop HIV/AIDS.

At the end of the festival, NAACC volunteers cleaned up the camp to keep Shandur environmentally safe and clean as well.

Development Issues

HIV/AIDS.

Key Points

According to NAACC, the 2007 National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) report indicates that approximately 3,250 HIV/AIDS cases have been registered; however, estimates by various international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) put that number much higher, with nearly 90,000 HIV/AIDS cases potentially existing in Pakistan. NAACC explains that the Federally Administered Northern Areas (FANA) (also known as Northern Areas) are particularly vulnerable to HIV and AIDS due to high-risk behaviours of vulnerable groups, as well as what NAACC describes as a "low rate of education, ignorance, poverty, denial, shortage of standard health facilities and bad practices of traditional healers".

Realising the importance of participation of grassroots level communities and civil society organisations in combating the challenge of AIDS and other infectious diseases, in 1999, NAACC was formed. It has grown to a network of 32 registered NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) from all six districts of FANA working in the health and social sector.

Partners

NAACC, KCBL.

Sources

Email from Tashfeen Rafiq to The Communication Initiative on July 11 2008; and NAACC website.