What if your job was a game and you could test all your plans and strategies before putting them into practice?
That was the experience delegates who stopped by the Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) booth had at the International SBCC Summit 2026 in Panama. What looked like a simple game quickly became a lively test of knowledge, strategy, and collaboration. Delegates stepped into an interactive challenge where every question, decision, and discussion mirrored the real-world complexities of social and behaviour change communication. What started as a quick stop at an exhibition booth soon became lively debates, bursts of laughter, and enthusiastic cries of “one more round!” As players tested their instincts, challenged assumptions, and learned from one another, they discovered that the best way to understand behaviour change isn’t always through a presentation. Sometimes, it’s through play.
The game embodied the spirit of the Summit’s theme, “The Power of Connection: Reimagining Knowledge, Action and Equity in a Changing SBCC Landscape,” held from 22 to 26 June 2026 in Panama. Bringing together more than 800 participants from over 125 countries, the Summit remains the world’s largest gathering dedicated to advancing the science and practice of social and behaviour change communication. Since its inception in 2016, it has served as a global platform where researchers, practitioners, policymakers, donors, and development partners exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, and build collaborations that improve development outcomes.
As a co-chair of the 2026 Summit, CCSI played an important role in shaping global conversations on the use of evidence for decision-making, the role of communication in driving sustainable change, and the importance of equity and inclusion in development programming. While engaging with emerging ideas and practices shaping the future of social and behaviour change at the Summit, CCSI highlighted its technical expertise, sharing insights from our extensive body of work. This involved showcasing some of our proprietary tools, such as the PEBIC criteria, an innovative framework developed to assess the quality of resource persons’ responses. Curious to learn more? Check out the full PEBIC publication in Frontiers in Global Women’s Health.
An impressive Nigerian delegation at the 2026 International SBCC Summit demonstrated remarkable resilience, overcoming travel challenges to arrive with pride and purpose, ready to showcase the rich tapestry of their work, culture, and impact to a global audience.
A formidable delegation from CCSI participated in the Summit, contributing to technical discussions and knowledge-sharing sessions alongside the global audience. Team members also delivered oral and poster presentations, highlighting innovations, lessons learned, and evidence generated through the organization’s work across diverse programme areas.
Through these engagements, CCSI showcased its commitment to generating and applying evidence that improves lives, influences policy and practice, and strengthens community-centred development. The robust participation exemplifies CCSI’s longstanding focus on translating research into actionable insights, fostering trust with communities, and ensuring that evidence informs decisions where they matter most.
Beyond presentations and technical sessions, CCSI staff engaged in a range of learning and networking opportunities designed to strengthen professional practice and foster collaboration. The Summit featured interactive plenary sessions, hands-on workshops, and innovative storytelling formats that encouraged participants to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions, and explore new approaches to behaviour and social change. Participants also took part in reflective learning sessions that examined both successes and challenges in programme implementation, creating opportunities for honest dialogue and collective growth.
The 2026 International SBCC Summit brought together more than 800 participants from over 125 countries, reinforcing its position as one of the foremost global platforms for advancing knowledge, innovation, and partnerships in social and behaviour change communication.
Reflecting on CCSI’s participation and the significance of the moment:
“This Summit coincides with a historic milestone for CCSI—18 years of inspiring change. It is a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come, the lives we’ve touched, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way. At our exhibition booth, we created a vibrant space for celebration and engagement, showcasing the power of entertainment education. Visitors connected with our team, formed new relationships, and took part in innovative games and activities, ensuring no one left the CCSI booth empty-handed.” — Babafunke Fagbemi, Executive Director, CCSI
As the global development landscape continues to evolve, CCSI remains committed to contributing evidence, innovation, and partnerships that strengthen social and behaviour change practice and accelerate positive outcomes for communities in Nigeria, Africa and beyond.