AS-SBC Summit – Community

The Africa SBC Summit, hosted by the African Society for Social and Behavioural Change, will take place July 2–3, 2024. This summit aims to bring together innovative concepts and practices in social and behaviour change (SBC) that are tailored to the dynamic culture and context of African people.

Theme: Cultivating resilience and relevance: Harnessing community insights and innovation for SBC impact in Africa.

This theme emphasises the need to align SBC techniques, tools, and approaches with the rapid technological and societal changes happening in Africa and around the world. The theme also highlights the strength of African communities and the importance of culturally relevant interventions.

It seeks to initiate a dialogue on integrating the diverse social frameworks of the continent into SBC programming. By leveraging local communities’ knowledge and wisdom, the objective is to create SBC strategies that are sustainable, effective, and adaptable to meet the ever-evolving needs of Africa’s narrative.

Summit Themes

The virtual summit will explore a wide range of themes relevant to social and behavior change in Africa, examining how digital platforms and technology can enhance interventions in areas such as:

Integrated Behavioral Science and Local Knowledge

This theme delves into the synergy between academic research in behavioral science and the rich repository of indigenous knowledge systems.

It encourages submissions that demonstrate how this integration can lead to culturally resonant and evidence-based SBC practices, which are both scientifically sound and community-approved.

Community Engagement and Local Narratives

Here, the focus is on the power of storytelling and community participation in shaping SBC activities.

Abstracts should highlight methods and outcomes of engaging with communities to harness their unique narratives, thereby ensuring that SBC initiatives are grounded in the realities of the people they aim to serve.

Innovative Financing and Sustainable Partnerships

This area seeks to explore novel funding mechanisms and collaborative models that ensure the longevity and reach of SBC programs.

Abstracts may include case studies on public-private partnerships, impact investing, or community-based financing schemes that have led to sustainable SBC solutions.

Digital Transformation in SBC

The digital world presents exceptional opportunities for scaling SBC interventions. This topic invites abstracts that illustrate the revolutionary impact of digital tools and platforms in SBC.

It includes exploring how mobile technology, social media, artificial intelligence, and other digital advancements are being used to drive behavior change.