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Sangjog Editorial: Consistency Counts

In Strategic Communication we frequently use a term, ‘Consistency Counts.’ This has multiple levels of meaning and use because consistency matters when we want to reach our goal. In a communication campaign, when our intended audience repeatedly receive consistent message from different channels, it helps them not only retain the message but trust it and very likely to adopt it. Similarly, if we take the dictionary meanings of consistency ie the condition of cohering or holding together or retaining form; it applies to a person or an organization, too. For example, since inception, BCCP has consistently maintained its branding as a Strategic Communication organization and that has eventually made BCCP a leading communication organization within the country as well as in the Asia region. If we consider another perspective of this concept,  our brand personally and professionally is based on our actions. When an individual or an organization is consistently good over a long period of time, even our mistakes and miscues are forgiven. Current research shows how consistency and the lack of consistency can even affect our employees and your ability to lead them. So, wherever we are in our life or career we need to add consistency in our actions. 

Health System Strengthening through Capacity Building on e-Resources

Presently, Bangladesh is in a process of digitalization by ensuring an ICT based society where information will be available electronically. The motto of digital Bangladesh is to establish technology-based digital governance, e-Health, e-commerce, e-agriculture, e-education etc.
USAID- Ujjiban –SBCC project is a social and behavior change communication initiative that aims to generate demand for and increase the use of high quality, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, family planning, nutrition and tuberculosis services and enable the adoption of healthy behaviors in Bangladesh. In this project BCCP is responsible for capacity and system strengthening of MoHFW to plan design and implement SBCC programs. The project utilizes multiple channels and campaigns in waves, with a focus on Sylhet and Chittagong Divisions, and through strengthening the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s SBCC capacity and systems.
 
To strengthen the inter personal communication (IPC) and counseling capacity of the frontline workers  Ujjiban is providing technical support for  enhancing  the use of digital resources i.e.   the eToolkit and eLearning courses for the Field Workers . The eToolkit for Field Workers is a digital library of high-quality print and electronic materials on health, family planning, and nutrition. It is designed to be used by Field Workers as a resource when counseling their clients.  The eLearning is a video based course designed to supplement field worker trainings in the maternal, child health, nutrition and family planning areas to refresh their knowledge that will contribute to increasing the quality of their field activities. The target audiences of this capacity strengthening initiatives were the Health Inspectors (HIs), Asst Health Inspectors (AHIs), Health Assistants (HAs) and Community Health Care Providers (CHCPs).
 
In this regards in the month of August-September ,2017  Ujjiban  organized hands-on orientation in 7 Upazilas of 4 districts under Sylhet and Chittagong Divisions, for a 250 field workers t( HAs and CHCPs) who are having functional device. The orientation considered with high priority as the concern Health Education Officer (HEO's), UH&FPO and the Civil Surgeons have attended the orientation. 

Second Mentoring Workshop on Data Management, Analysis and Report Wiring

Tobacco Control Research Grant Program organized the 2nd Mentoring Workshop on Data Management, Analysis and Report Writing during August 7-8, 2017 for the research grantees and their data analysts. The two-day workshop provided a detailed knowledge of data management, analysis and report writing to the grantees and their data analysts. In the workshop, the participants were provided with knowledge and skills both theoretically and practically on how to process, clean, check, handle, analyze, and present their collected data/information.  How to write the research report, present and disseminate the research findings; and write a manuscript for journal publication were also discussed in the workshop. A number of hands-on exercises on data management and analysis were done in the workshop.
 
After the workshop, the participants expressed their satisfaction with the contents and facilitation of the workshop. Nineteen participants attended the workshop.

People’s Assemble: An innovative approach of NHSDP to involve community in the health dialogue

People’s involvement in the process of changing behavior helps sustain the change and brings model health practice as a community norm. In view of this perspective NHSDP initiated an innovative approach titled ‘People’s Assembly’ to bring community in to dialogue through community engagement events held in 15 clinics of SH network. The purpose of the ‘People’s Assembly’ event was to link key population groups of the community with facility by engaging people to talk about  their health needs and let service providers respond about it with the provision and availability of services from SH network. 
 
The broad activity of these events includes:
  • Creating more dialogue in the community on health issues and about SH clinics through discussion meetings with community members and the stakeholders
  • Adding entertainment education pieces throughout the event by hosting health messages to attain a call for action of the event
  • Establishing a linkage between community and facility through a display of SH clinic’s activity and introducing service providers’ team.     
 
With the technical support from BCCP these day-long events create a big hype amongst the community people in each of the events those were attended by thousands of people. Community members and local voluntary organizations extended local support in cash and kind in organizing these events. It is expected that organizing these events will profusely contribute for extended recognition and positive attitude towards health services provided by the SH clinic network. 

Towards Sustainability of Springboard: Prospects and Challenges

Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs (BCCP), organized Springboard Learning Forum on 16 July at Dhaka. The theme of the USAID supported event was “Global Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Community and Springboard: Prospects and Challenges”. More than 100 stakeholders across many sectors attended in the forum. Ms. Susan C. Krenn, Executive Director, CCP presented keynote speech to the Learning Forum. Besides, a Springboard registration corner was set up in the learning forum to help guests get registered.
 
Earlier, the 5th Global Springboard Annual Advisory Council Meeting was held on 12-14 July, in New Delhi. In a presentation session based on country specific case studies highlighting the unique aspect of their CoP as well as the challenges and successes, Bangladesh presented Springboard promotion guideline developed based on their experience. A recommendation came from Advisory Council meeting to share the guideline among the global community of country Springboards.
 
Springboard promotion materials have been produced and later distributed to Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal to facilitate their country springboards promotional activities. These were also distributed to participants of 5th Annual Advisory Council Meeting, Learning Forum and other events Springboard team members attended.

Training curriculum, communication material on psychosocial counseling and Toolkit for mainstreaming CwC in emergency response

BTRF has developed a training curriculum and communication materials on psychosocial counseling for World Vision Bangladesh (WVB). As part of the assignment, BTRF has conducted a training needs assessment to understand the current situation and psychosocial needs of vulnerable children. After that psychosocial training curriculums in both Bangla and English have been developed for clear understanding and to gain a clear idea about the need of psychosocial counseling for vulnerable children. A comprehensive flipchart with user guideline, four (4) stickers for family, school, workplace and community awareness and a poster focusing on the equal importance of physical and mental wellbeing of children have also been developed followed by field test with the respective staff, forums and community to make them more relevant and socio-cultural resistant. BTRF has also facilitated a 6 day-long ToT for a group of master trainers who will be cascading the training at field level. The training comprised of practical skills development following various participatory methodologies. Beside this, BTRF also developed a Communication with Communities (CwC) mainstreaming toolkit in emergency response for Action against Hunger and ‘Shongjog’ -a multi-stakeholder platform (MSP) of government, international and national NGOs and other groups. ICL, another sister concern of BCCP was also engaged in developing and designing the toolkit.