Social Norms
Social norms action with informed and engaged societies
Social Norms
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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Published 24 years ago
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Awassa Tukol Vocational Training & Arts Center (ATVAC) AIDS Education Circus - Ethiopia

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"Youth performers of ATVAC gave the premiere performances of their AIDS Education Circus in the largest market in Southern Ethiopia to audiences numbering in the thousands." The programme, directed by Berreket Dana (Ethiopia) and David Schein (Free Street Programmes, Chicago) was produced in collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Treatment Unit of Sidama province, the Awassa Sports Ministry, and Free Street Programmes, Chicago.
Communication Strategies

The performers, forty homeless teens of Awassa, who are part of a self sufficency program in Awassa, have trained for some years in gymnastics and circus skills. The presentation, with gymnastics, martial arts, drumming, acting, song and dance was written by the young performers and focused on such themes as Silence is the Friend of AIDS, We Must Learn Together how to use Condoms, One to One (Monogamy) Means Safety, We Must Seek Tests Before we Marry, and We Must Care for Those who are Infected. They collaborated with the provincial AIDS/HIV education unit and the provincial sports and recreation minister.
Development Issues

HIV/AIDS, Children, Youth, Education.
Key Points

They handed out thousands of condoms and information about local services. ATVAC is now seeking support from various international and Ethiopian agencies for a performance tour of the Southern Regions. In conjunction with the premiere of the AIDS Education Circus, ATVAC has just begun construction of a vocational center on land given the project by the regional government of Sidama.