UNICEF hosts Social and Behaviour Change Communication training for key stakeholders

Castries, Saint Lucia - UNICEF Eastern Caribbean recently facilitated a transformative two-day Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Communication Training for representatives from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Elderly Affairs, alongside other key stakeholders. The training aimed to enhance the skills and knowledge of participants, focusing on the application of social and behavior change communication strategies in responding to public health and other emergencies.

The session was designed to empower participants with the tools to develop and implement effective interventions that encourage positive behavior change, particularly in health-related contexts. Dr. Lisa McClean Trotman, UNICEF’s Social and Behavior Change Communication Specialist, emphasized the importance of people-centered approaches. She explained that understanding and involving the communities they serve is critical to the success of any intervention.

“We want to emphasize a people-centered approach when designing interventions. This means truly understanding the population you are working with, involving them in the process, and considering their diverse needs,” Dr. Trotman said. “When you involve people, do you think inclusively? Are you considering persons with disabilities, the elderly, and children? Each group has different perspectives and needs, and it’s vital that they are part of the process and can help guide the best ways to encourage behavior change.”

Dr. Sharon Belmar-George, Chief Medical Officer, also shared her encouragement for the participants to embrace the knowledge gained during the training. She highlighted the long history of public health emergencies, such as Dengue Fever, Zika, Chikungunya, flu, and COVID-19, that have required continuous health education and communication efforts to mitigate their impact.

“Over the past decade, we’ve managed various outbreaks and faced the ongoing challenge of providing health education that resonates with the public,” Dr. Belmar-George said. “This training is invaluable as it will help us ensure the information we provide is not only culturally acceptable but also effective in driving the behavior changes necessary to reduce the impact of these diseases on our communities.”

The training benefitted a diverse group of professionals, including Health Educators, Public Health Nursing Supervisors, Nutritionists, Social Transformation Officers, and representatives from town and city councils, among others. By equipping these stakeholders with advanced SBC communication strategies, UNICEF aims to strengthen their capacity to design interventions that can foster long-lasting change in health behaviors across the region.

This initiative is part of UNICEF's ongoing commitment to supporting public health efforts and building resilience within communities through effective, culturally relevant communication strategies.