Development action with informed and engaged societies

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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In Plain Sight: Set of Six DVDs

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"In Plain Sight" is a human rights educational collaboration between Witness and Amnesty International USA (AIUSA). WITNESS uses video to "open the eyes of the world to human rights violations." Amnesty International undertakes research and action focused on "preventing and ending grave abuses of the rights to physical and mental integrity, freedom of conscience and expression, and freedom from discrimination, within the context of its work to promote all human rights." Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) is the United States (US) Section of Amnesty International.

 

This project consists of six videos in DVD format and detailed lesson plans for each in PDF format, designed to provide educators with tools to promote human rights within US secondary schools. Specific areas addressed include: the juvenile justice system; child soldiers; and gender inequalities. The lessons intend to promote human rights issues to a new generation of human rights activists. Lesson guides are available in PDF format through the web link below. The titles, running times, and advocacy partners or co-producers include the following:

  • A Duty to Protect: Justice for Child Soldiers in the Democratic Republic of Congo
    • Running time: 14:10 minutes;
    • Advocacy Partner: Association des Jeunes pour le Dévelopment Intégré à Kalundu

  • System Failure: Violence, Abuse, and Neglect in the California Youth Authority 
    • Running Time: 32 minutes;
    • Co-Producers: Ella Baker Center for Human Rights' Books Not Bars project / WITNESS

  • Amazon Watch 2006 Compilation DVD, including:
    • Chevron Texaco on Trial - Running time: 5 minutes;
    • Peru's Camisea Project - Running time: 12 minutes;
    • Co-Producers: Amazon Watch / WITNESS

  • Rise: Revolutionary Women Reenvisioning Afghanistan
    • Running Time: 13 minutes;
    • Co-Producers: Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan / WITNESS

  • Equal Access: Integrated Education for the Romani Children in Bulgaria
    • Running Time: 16 minutes;
    • Co-Producers: DROM / WITNESS

  • Outlawed: Extraordinary Rendition, Torture, and Disappearances in the "War on Terror"
    • Running Time: 27 minutes;
    • Co-Producers: 14 US and international human rights and civil rights organisations

 

To request copies: Please send an email with full contact details to orders@witness.org or education@aiusa.org The subject heading of the email should read "In Plain Sight."