November 2024 — The UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) hosted its bi-annual Social and Behavior Change (SBC) Network Meeting from November 11 to 13 at the Movenpick Hotel in Nairobi. The event brought together over 50 SBC professionals from across the region to discuss, strategize, and align their efforts with the UNICEF Strategic Plan. The meeting aimed to enhance collaboration, strengthen SBC program capacities, and address both development and emergency contexts.

The meeting commenced with insightful opening remarks from Lieke van de Wiel, Deputy Regional Director, who stressed the significance of human connection and innovative approaches in SBC work. She delved into the importance of evidence-based programming and the challenges faced due to reduced funding post-COVID. Jeremy Hopkins, Deputy Regional Director, and Vincent Petit, the SBC Global Lead, emphasized the crucial role of SBC within UNICEF's strategic plan. They highlighted the need for substantial evidence, adequate funding, and improved positioning of SBC in country programs, especially in nations transitioning to higher income levels. Massimiliano Sani and Ketan Chitnis led a session on integrating SBC across various sectors, emphasizing strategic intent, synergies with other sectors, and the application of Human-Centered Design (HCD) to achieve nutrition goals.

The second day of the meeting focused on innovation and partnerships. Panelists from UNEP and UN-Habitat discussed the role of behavioral science in shaping effective climate policies, resilience planning, and promoting green jobs for youth. Participants shared valuable lessons from past emergency responses, highlighting the significance of emergency preparedness and community engagement. Innovative approaches such as AI for data collection and community feedback were explored, showcasing the potential of AI in enhancing SBC initiatives. Discussions also emphasized the importance of strategic partnerships with the private sector for resource mobilization. Presenters highlighted aligning business strategies with SBC goals and engaging in comprehensive resource mobilization efforts.

During the final day, Dr. Gladys from Kenya's Ministry of Health highlighted the integration of SBC into health promotion strategies, focusing on digital tools for community health workers and stakeholder consultation. A panel discussion delved into SBC's role in changing harmful social norms like FGM and child marriage, stressing the importance of engaging boys and men while empowering girls. The integration session showcased successful projects embedding SBC into education, protection, and gender initiatives. The importance of measuring SBC impact in emergency response was also underlined, emphasizing real-time data collection and adaptive monitoring frameworks.

Overall, the meeting fostered a collaborative and innovative environment, setting a strong foundation for continued progress and impactful outcomes in the region. The action points identified provided a clear roadmap for advancing SBC efforts, emphasizing evidence-based programming, strategic partnerships, and multi-sectoral collaboration.