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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International Union Ertoba

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The word "Ertoba" means "unity", and is the inspiration for this youth-run, non-governmental organisation (NGO). The group, which (as of this writing) has 7 active local volunteers and more than 157 members, brings together young people from various Eastern and Western European countries to take part in: communication campaigns against violence; human rights education; conflict, organisational, and project management seminars; intercultural learning exchanges; citizenship and democracy initiatives; and media-based efforts.
Communication Strategies

Ertoba volunteers draw upon a variety of communication strategies and tools to orient their work; interpersonal interactions figure prominently. For example:


  • As part of the "Peace, Love, and Hope" campaign, Ertoba brought together young people from Ukraine (1 person), Latvia (1 person), Italy (1 person), Armenia (3 people), Azerbaijan (3 people), and Turkey (2 people) to take action against violence. The young people moved by bus around Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, carrying out exhibitions, street animations, workshops, concerts, debates, round table dialogues, and seminars. Each participant acted as a volunteer actor of the project by, for example, mobilising young people at the local level and running the campaign.
  • The "Contact Making Seminar - Fighting Domestic Violence" was the first step on the part of Ertoba to create and coordinate an international campaign of information about, and prevention of, violence against women.
  • The "We Have Equal Rights" activity, implemented in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (March 21), involved asking member organisations to plan and implement activities at local and national levels.
  • The training course "Active Citizenship in Youth Work" brought together youth workers, leaders, trainers, and multipliers in an effort to extend the participants' knowledge and understanding of Europe, citizenship, and young people in Europe. The course explored the principles of non-formal education and their relevance in youth work for active citizenship, seeking also to expand the participants' professional competence to develop ways of working with young people by empowering them and raising their own understanding and practice of active citizenship. Ertoba employed a learner-centred approach, characterised by participation, interactive activities, experiential learning, responsibility, and creativity. Reportedly, the participants established new collaborations and planned joint projects.

(Further details about Ertoba's activities may be accessed at the 2 URLs listed below.)

Development Issues

Youth, Conflict, Human Rights, Women, Democracy and Governance.

Sources

Posting from Nana Saginashvili to the Youthful Media listserv on September 12 2007; Ertoba website; and Ertoba blog.

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