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.
Time to read
1 minute
Print
a- a+
Published 23 years ago
Last updated 1 year ago
Read so far

RTK - Malawi Youth

0 comments

Twenty-six-year-old Rex Chapota lives in Lilongwe, Malawi, where he works as a research and evaluation officer with the Youth Council, the coordinating institution of Right to Know in Malawi. His work has put him in a position to become closely involved with the behind-the-scenes work needed to pull together the initiative, from nurturing partnerships to planning workshops to developing research tools. Rex, who studied agriculture and economics at university and reads about developmental issues in his spare time, explains what RTK is doing in Malawi.

About his work:
I have been working full time with the Youth Council since March. However, I have been involved in youth work since my college days, when I was a founding member of a human rights club named the Student Democratic Guards that is also a member of the Youth Council. I was also vice president of the University of Malawi student union.

What he does with RTK:
My involvement with RTK dates back to early April, when I attended the first orientation meeting for the stakeholders in my capacity as a research officer. Since then I have been involved as project coordinator of RTK activities. I have participated in planning, training, researching and working with young people from many different backgrounds.

What he likes and dislikes about RTK:
So far I have liked the work I am doing for RTK except for the time factor. Most of the times, we underestimate the time that the activities need. I hope that in the future, we will be able to have more time to concentrate on the activity we are doing so that the youth are able to grasp the concepts and issues in RTK.

How working with RTK has affected him:
Working on RTK has transformed my life because it has exposed me to youth perceptions of sexuality and because it has made me realize that if young people's views and fears are not addressed, we will be "chasing the wind" in the fight against HIV/AIDS. It has also helped me build my capacity in terms of planning, management, and using PAR tools among young people. All in all, I believe the RTK initiative will go a long way toward meeting the information needs of young people in the area of HIV prevention and developing their capacities.
Partners