Regional Partners
CMS | New Concept | Soul City
Centre for Media Studies (India)
Centre for Media Studies (CMS), an Indian interdisciplinary professional forum engaged in research, policy advocacy, and program evaluation, is well known for its survey methodologies and field research (qualitative and quantitative) including large-scale national studies.
Under C-Change, CMS is leading the evaluation of the SCALE® approach in India. In August 2009, CMS completed a baseline study with a household survey of approximately 2400 married couples in three districts of Jharkhand , in-depth interviews with stakeholders, and a social network analysis with selected stakeholders and with all participants at the “Whole System-in-the-Room” (WSR) workshop held in July 2009. CMS is conducting media workshops/meetings to share the baseline findings and collecting media stories on health timing and spacing of pregnancy as an indicator of the media’s participation in this activity.
New Concept Information Systems (India)
New Concept offers advocacy, communications, and social mobilization expertise across multiple sectors to government, international and local clients, and also builds organizational capacity.
C-Change is using the SCALE® approach in selected areas of Jharkhand, India to strengthen organizational networks among groups working to improve youth health and fertility, including specifically addressing healthy timing and spacing of pregnancies (HTSP). New Concept is leading the implementation activities and working on expanding the number of stakeholders taking action in relation to HTSP, youth health, and fertility. The aim is to increase the sharing of innovative and successful approaches leading to an increase in the scale of impact as programs are implemented. In July 2009, New Concept facilitated a successful “Whole System-in-the-Room” (WSR) workshop where 77 diverse stakeholders converged to strategize on the theme of youth health and fertility and develop action plans.
Soul City (South Africa)
Soul City is a dynamic and innovative multimedia health promotion and social change project. Examining health and development issues through drama and entertainment, Soul City reaches more than 16 million South Africans (and has been broadcast throughout Africa, as well as in LAC and Southeast Asia). Soul City has worked with NGOs in six countries to produce long-running dramas and launch social mobilization strategies.
Soul City works with C-Change to build regional capacity in health communication. Soul City has collaborated with The University of Witwatersrand, School of Public Health in development and launch of a new concentration in social and behaviour change communication within the Masters of Public Health program. This new concentration is particularly suited for people working in government and non-governmental organizations, who have an interest in, or are currently involved in programs implementing social and behaviour change communication or doing research in this area. The six courses offered under this new area of specialization will provide students with the competencies and skills they need to design, implement, monitor and evaluate programs and interventions to address determinants of health and illness at multiple levels. Courses addressing different aspects of SBCC also will be offered as short courses for a certificate or diploma. For further information please visit: www.wits.ac.za/academic/health/publichealth.
