Health 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.
 
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
less than
1 minute
Read so far

Dance Against AIDS - Brazil

0 comments

AIDS education for Afro-Brazilian youth and traditional cultural groups is promoted through highly energetic and humorous street performances and live drama, motivating confrontation of STD and HIV/AIDS issues in a highly effective manner among youth and children.
Communication Strategies

José Marmo reaches some 40,000 people directly or indirectly through interaction with 6,000 Afro-Brazilian traditional religious communities, and a number of NGO's. Humour and entertainment are key to the effectiveness of this project, educating through street performances and dances. The three key elements of the project include: 1) publicity, 2) direct services through personal contact (including health booths, etc.) and 3) institutional help (ex. Conferences, etc.). A documentary film was also produced and distributed.
Development Issues

STD's and HIV/AIDS, children, youth, entertainment-education
Key Points

A very diverse range of people are affected by this project, including rural religious groups and leaders, afro-Brazilian youth and children, women and men, all without discrimination. This project began through partnerships with rural religious groups and were aimed at men, but now they reach women as well through multi-media activities.
Partners



José Marmo da Silva, Brazilian AIDS Association, Health Secretary of Rio, Afro-Reggae Cultural Arts Group

Sources

"The Dance Against AIDS in Brazil" by Shannon Walbran. The Changemakers Review June 1999, vol 1, no.1, pgs. 34-37