We have put this post together for C4D Network members info about the upcoming Social and Behaviour Change Summit 2020. You can learn more about the planning for the event –  from our rep George Kahuthia, from the C4D Network in Kenya, and from Susan Krenn, Executive Director at JHU Centre for Communication Programmes, who is leading the planning together with Communication Initiative, UNICEF and many other C4D expert organizations and individuals from around the world. 

Susan Krenn, Executive Director, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs

1. Could you please tell us about the role of John Hopkins in the summit? 

The Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs (CPP) conceived the idea for the SBCC Summit as part of our work with USAID on a global SBCC project. We worked with a number of key partners to hold the 1st International SBCC Summit in Ethiopia in 2

During the 2nd International SBCC Summit in Indonesia in 2018 we established a more formal Secretariat in order to support the overall planning and implementation and this has continued for the 2020 Summit.

2. Could you please tell us about the organizing committee and the different phases / activities in the planning process? 

While the CCP chairs the Secretariat, the 2020 Secretariat includes UNICEF, the American University of Beirut, the Soul City Institute for Justice, Digital Green and the Social Change Factory. Our preliminary efforts focused on framing the budget, selecting the venue, and outlining key issues and themes we wanted to highlight for 2020. This has been followed up with more detailed planning including establishing the International Steering Committee and related subcommittees, each of which is taking on the planning for a specific area of work.

3. Could you please tell us about the vision and themes of the 2020 summit?

For the 2020 Summit we chose themes that build on the previous Summits and reflect on current challenges and opportunities in the SBCC field. In refining our ideas we took into account feedback from the last Summit, along with our own reflections on what we more we wanted to do next time. Our overarching framing of “Strength in Diversity” and our three themes capture this thinking.

With our Catalyzing Transformational Change theme, we wanted to more explicitly move into the broader development agenda, with a focus on transformational and urgent issues such as gender equality, climate action, youth and others.

The Future Forward theme is meant to help us critically explore what is happening in the field of SBCC. This is both from the perspective of the trends and approaches around how we do our work, as well as how our work is being shaped by the world around us.

Connecting the Dots is helping us to think about how, within the diversity of disciplines that make up SBCC, we can do more to bridge our efforts, as well as bringing in other partners outside our space to learn more about how we can effectively partner on areas of mutual interest.

4. What do you think C4D Network members should know about this event and the opportunities it presents for them?

This is such a terrific opportunity for C4D Network members. The Summit is designed specifically to support exchange, networking and learning within our SBCC community and to provide the space to have dialogue on where our work is headed. There’s just such an incredible and diverse range of participants and issues covered. But all through the lens of SBCC. In 2019 we had participants from 93 countries. It really is a space and place to call our own.

5. Personally what do you find most interesting / inspiring about the summit planning process?

I love how much engagement and support there is across the many different individuals and organizations that go into the planing. It take a lot of work and coordination, and it would be impossible to pull it off without the commitment of the community. I think it speaks to the value people see in this convening.

6. Why was Morocco was chosen as the location for the 2020 summit?

We started in Africa and then went to Asia. In 2019 there were also several regional and country-based SBCC conferences – in Nairobi for Anglophones and in Abidjan for Francophones. There were also similar events in South Africa and Myanmar. Given this we wanted to bring the event to a different region, so we considered both Latin American and the Middle East and Northern Africa region. We chose Morocco for a number of logistical and other reasons, including the great venue that can accommodate the number of participants we anticipate.

7. What is your favorite aspect of the summit?

Hard to pick one favorite, but I’d say one of my favorite aspects is just the sheer joy and excitement participants have at being in a place together where all we talk about is SBCC! It’s just been a really great platform for people to find their “people.”  And of course just the amazing and inspiring diversity of presentations and discussions. It’s just great to see what others are doing.

George Kahuthia, Representative for the C4D Network Kenya Chapter Steering Group

1. Could you please tell us a bit about yourself? 

For over 20 years, I have worked in health and development programs in Kenya and sub-Saharan African countries. I have experienced the transformation of the C4D field of practice from looking at populations as mere recipients of information and “advice” on changing their behaviour through a one-way transmission of messages to the current complex approaches and processes of engagement and dialogue.

2. Could you please tell us about your work in representing the C4D Network on the SBCC organizing committee? 

I serve as a co-chair of the Insights and Outputs sub-committee and as a member of the International Steering Committee planning the 2020 SBCC summit. The Insights and Outputs sub-committee is responsible for devising mechanisms to harvest the take home messages from each of the summit presentations and events, synthesizing information and packaging the information for future publication in reputable journals among others.

The planning process for this summit is complex and comprises work by teams of volunteers drawn from across the globe and organized into various subcommittees who report to the Steering Committee. Linking all these sub-committees is the Secretariat based within the Centre for Communication Programs (CCP) at Johns Hopkins University.

3. What do you think C4D Network members should know about this event and the opportunities it presents for them?

C4D is cross cutting and serves as a catalyst in social and development programs. To remain effective and relevant, C4D practitioners must remain in touch and in tune with the dynamics of development, which is influenced by many external factors including politics, economics, and climate. This summit presents C4D network members with an opportunity to learn the emerging opportunities and trends in the science of C4D programming and the evidence of “what works” in order to maximize resources. It is also an excellent opportunity to network and connect professionals (the core intent of the C4D network).

4. Personally what do you find most interesting / inspiring about the summit planning process? 

The diversity of the members in the planning committees and the participatory nature of decision making. The membership of the planning team comprises representatives from across the globe and representing diverse institutions and agencies. This provides a melting pot of ideas and experiences, which will go a long way in making the 2020 summit a great success.

5. Could you tell us more about the themes for the 2020 summit and what resonates most with you? 

The 2020 summit has three themes – I am most excited about Connecting the Dots, which is about optimizing our strengths for greater impact, connecting with new partners and collective action.This is because C4D is really the glue that binds in helping different sectors to “talk” to each other and C4D (through the ecological model) is the sector that puts the individual at the centre.  The goal of everything that we do in development is to improve the lives of people. When we fail to connect the dots, we end up reinventing the wheel, duplicating efforts, and missing the target.

Click here to submit abstracts/proposals for the summit  (Deadline is Nov 10 2019) and to learn more. 

George Kahuthia (far left) with Jackie Davies, C4D Network Founder, (third from the left)
and colleagues from Nigeria.