In May, the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (HC3) launched Springboard for Health Communication an online network that offers a virtual “home” for social and behavior change communication (SBCC) professionals. Springboard is designed to foster the exchange of SBCC knowledge as well as share best practices from health communication programs that have made a measureable impact. This professional community of practice is also a place where SBCC professionals can network with colleagues, learn new skills and find new resources and tools.
“Our hope is that through Springboard, a thriving global community of practice around social and behavior change communication will develop and grow,” said Kirsten Böse, HC3’s project director. “We also envision this community strengthening the capacity of those working in or interested in SBCC programming because we know that when done well, SBCC saves lives and improves well-being.” The online Springboard will be reinforced by in-person networks in Africa and Asia. An Anglophone African Springboard is under development by Uganda-based AfriComNet , while an Asian Springboard is being spearheaded by the Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs.
After a simple registration process, members can connect with their colleagues, share information, join or create a group, or just observe and learn from the activity of other Springboard members. Current groups include a variety of focus areas, such as SBCC Capacity Strengthening, Gender and Communication, Malaria SBCC, including ICT 4 Health Communication—a space for discussing the use of information and communication technology (ICT) to support health communication programs. This will be a great way for “techies” and “healthies” to connect on a regular basis and share information that can be applied to our own work.
HC3 is a five-year USAID-funded project designed to strengthen developing country capacity to implement state-of-the-art SBCC programs. Among the important health areas addressed by HC3 are family planning and reproductive health, child survival, maternal and child health, HIV and AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases, and non-communicable diseases. It is led by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Communication Programs (JHU∙CCP) in collaboration with Management Sciences for Health, NetHope, Population Services International, Ogilvy Public Relations , Forum One Communications and Internews. HC3 is also linked to a network of organizations throughout Africa, Asia and Latin America.