The ABCs of SBC

UNICEF SBC
  • 5.0 (7)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

How does social and behaviour change support child rights? We are on a mission to find out. Through interviews with experts from across the globe, this podcast explores what Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) is and whether it can move the needle forward in the battle for gender equality, climate action, and other complex challenges. Tune in to hear Social and Behaviour Change practitioners across a variety of disciplines share their knowledge, learnings, and experience on whether SBC can help us achieve better outcomes for children across the globe.  Uncover the limits and possibilities of SBC in various global issues  — without the complexity, while on your commute.  Learn more about UNICEF SBC at www.sbcguidance.org

  1. Data Science and SBC

    JAN 22

    Data Science and SBC

    How can behavioural data science improve social and behaviour change (SBC) programs? Where do machine learning and AI genuinely add value? And what can goat markets teach us about human behaviour? In this episode, we explore the emerging field of behavioural data science: how it reveals patterns, frictions, and hidden levers in datasets that weren’t necessarily collected with human behaviour in mind. Recorded at the Behavioural Horizons Workshop at UNICEF’s Office of Strategy and Evidence (Innocenti) in Florence, we hear from behavioural scientists, data scientists, and humanitarian practitioners working at the frontier. They share why better data starts with better questions, why context and culture still matter in a world of algorithms, and how behavioural data science can narrow the gap between evidence, decisions, and people’s lived realities. It’s a candid look at the opportunities, risks, and human choices that determine whether behavioural data science can help drive meaningful behaviour change. You’ll hear from: Benjamin Hickler, UNICEF Office of Strategy and Evidence, InnocentiLuke Montuori, Senior Psychometrician Rebecca Moreno Jimenez, Innovation Team, UNHCR Rafael Batista, Princeton University Chiara Cappellini, Behavioural Science Group, UAE Alexandra DeFilippo, Sistema Futura Patrick Forscher, Busara Center for Behavioural ScienceResources: Learn more about UNICEF Innocenti (https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/) Learn more about UNICEF BIRD Lab (https://www.unicefbirdlab.org/) The views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    22 min
  2. SBC in Faith Engagement to End Harmful Practices

    10/09/2025

    SBC in Faith Engagement to End Harmful Practices

    For generations, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation and child marriage have been justified as traditions of identity and belonging, and have, at times, been linked to misinterpretations of religious text – even as they cause life long harm. Today, faith leaders across Africa and the Middle East are reshaping these beliefs from within their own communities, using their moral authority and influence to redefine these traditions and protect the next generation. In this episode, Qali Id speaks with faith leaders and UNICEF specialists from Uganda, The Gambia, and Iraq to explore how faith engagement is helping end harmful practices, in particular FGM. From sermons that reinterpret religious teachings, to interfaith alliances confronting resistance, to tea-circle conversations that replace top-down campaigns, this discussion reveals how transformation takes root when it begins within communities themselves. You’ll hear from: Sheikh Abdallah Sabila, Imam and advocate from UgandaDr. Nassim Majidi, Director and Co-founder of Samuel Hall, KenyaMomat Jallow, SBC Specialist at UNICEF The GambiaHadeer Albo Heae, SBC Manager at UNICEF IraqResources: UNICEF Faith Engagement guide on Harmful Practices, developed in collaboration with Religious for Peace and Samuel HallDo you want to learn more on how does Social and Behaviour Change supports interventions in Child Protection? Tune in to our ABCs of SBC podcast’s episode on SBC in Social Norms and Harmful Practices, SBC in Preventing Violence Against Girls, Boys and Women, and SBC in Online Child Protection.The views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    26 min
  3. SBC in Community System Strengthening

    09/29/2025

    SBC in Community System Strengthening

    Sudan is living through war and mass displacement. Yemen faces one of the world’s longest-running humanitarian crises. And in Moldova, far from active conflict but still grappling with inequality, Roma communities remain excluded from the very systems meant to serve them. Across these vastly different contexts, one question emerges: how do communities themselves step in to sustain and shape the systems around them? In this episode, host Qali Id speaks with UNICEF SBC specialists from Sudan, Yemen, and Moldova to explore the unexpected power of trust, local leadership, and cultural respect in strengthening systems. From youth-run resistance committees, to volunteer health networks, to trusted Roma leaders bridging gaps in access, this conversation highlights how Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) enables communities not just to survive—but to lead the way toward more inclusive and resilient futures. You'll hear from: Maha Abasher Khalid Osman, SBC Specialist at UNICEF SudanCristina Stratulat, SBC Officer at UNICEF Moldova Abdullah Alshehari, SBC Specialist at UNICEF YemenResources: Harnessing community engagement and multisectoral SBC approaches to address vaccine hesitancy in Moldova | UNICEF MoldovaHome | UNICEF SBC GUIDANCE Related episodes: Episode 5 - SBC in Support of System Strengthening (Apple) (Spotify) Episode 11 - Community Delivery Platforms (Apple) (Spotify)The views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    22 min
  4. SBC in Online Child Protection

    08/06/2025

    SBC in Online Child Protection

    The internet is where kids learn, play, and connect, but it’s also where they can be bullied, exploited, surveilled, and manipulated. As digital threats evolve faster than the systems designed to protect children, how do we keep them safe in a world that’s always online? From outdated legal frameworks to overwhelmed parents and disconnected protection services, this episode highlights not just the risks children face online, but the opportunities to involve them and their caregivers as co-designers of safer digital spaces, and how SBC offers a way forward. You'll hear from: Afrooz Kaviani Johnson, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF HeadquartersMahwish Saeed Syed, SBC Officer at UNICEF PakistanSaji Thomas, Chief of Child Protection at UNICEF Gulf Area OfficeResources: “Digitial Parenting” on the Parent HubExplore how UNICEF is tackling violence and exploitation in the digital environment, including a range of actions for parents, governments and companies to keep children safe online.The views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    23 min
  5. SBC in Community Delivery Platforms

    06/16/2025

    SBC in Community Delivery Platforms

    What if healthcare systems weren't just centralized services but dynamic partnerships rooted in trust, relevance, and equity?  That’s the driving vision behind Community Delivery Platforms. In this episode we talk about collaborations among governments, local communities, UNICEF, and partner organizations to make essential health and nutrition services accessible to every mother, child, and household, no matter where they live.  Join host Qali Id as we unpack the strategies, struggles, and successes of community delivery platforms, with insights from: Afrika Mukaneto, SBC Specialist, UNICEF Regional Office for South AsiaWaqas Shafi, SBC Specialist, UNICEF PakistanBridget Job Johnson, Chief of SBC, UNICEF BangladeshWant to learn more about how SBC can be used to strengthen systems? Check out episode 5, on SBC in Support of Systems Strengthening. We’ll also have another episode coming out soon on Community System Strengthening - stay tuned.  Resources: Community Health and Delivery Partnership websiteAalo Clinic offsetting the burden of health care costs in the slums of Bangladesh | UNICEF BangladeshCommunity leaders come forward to protect at-risk families against dengue | UNICEF Bangladesh The views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    24 min
  6. SBC in the Mpox Response

    05/13/2025

    SBC in the Mpox Response

    In this episode, Qali dives into the unfolding mpox outbreaks in Central and West Africa. With new patterns of transmission, rising child mortality, and deep-rooted stigma, frontline responders in DRC and Burundi are rewriting the old playbooks in real time. Join UNICEF SBC experts as they unpack what worked, what fell short, and how communities, digital tools, and gender-aware strategies are shaping the response. This episode unpacks the opportunities taken, missed, and what must be done to prepare better for the next outbreak. Guests (in order of appearance) Vincent Petit, UNICEF SBC Global LeadGaoussou Nabalom, SBC and Risk Communication and Community Engagement Coordinator, UNICEF BurundiNorman Muhwezi, former UNICEF OIC Chief of SBC in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Innovation Specialist Resources Risk communication and community engagement for mpox vaccination in eastern DRCMpox, mining, and vulnerabilities of women and children in eastern DRCMeeting report: Mpox and discrimination in African settingsHow to achieve and sustain high uptake of mpox vaccination in outbreak settingsHow to Address stigma during mpox responseGuidance for RCCE practitioners on mpox (ENG and FRA)      5 Tips for CHW and Vaccinators (ENG and FRA)The views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    24 min
  7. SBC in Immunisation

    12/16/2024

    SBC in Immunisation

    This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Expanded Programme of Immunization (EPI), a global initiative to get vaccines to every child, everywhere. While much progress has been made over the last 50 years, there is still much more work to be done to ensure equitable access to vaccines for all. In this episode, Qali speaks with immunisation experts to understand what Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) can bring to the challenge of reaching everyone and navigating vaccination in a world still recovering from the impacts of COVID-19. Guests (in order of appearance) Francine Ganter Restrepo, SBC Specialist, Immunisation and Health, UNICEF East and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO)Heidi Larson, Founder and Director of The Vaccine Confidence ProjectDr. Saad Omer, Dean, Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public HealthResources (in order of mention) Global immunization efforts have saved at least 154 million lives over the past 50 years, UNICEF ArmeniaNYHQ ED Russell World Immunization Week 202450th Anniversary of the Expanded Programme on ImmunizationFinding the missing link: Improving vaccination coverage in zero dose communities with human-centred design, UNICEF Final ReportExecutive SummaryHumanly Possible: Immunization for all, UNICEFSBC in Support of System StrengtheningThe views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    26 min
  8. SBC in Mental Health

    12/09/2024

    SBC in Mental Health

    It is estimated that globally, 1 in 7 young people between 10 and 19-year-old experience mental health conditions that remain largely unrecognized and untreated. How can something so prevalent often remain invisible? What can SBC do to bring mental health forward and connect those struggling with the support they need?  In this episode, Qali speaks with experts working to improve Mental Health and Psychosocial Support across Africa. Listen in to see what methods, interventions and priorities are driving mental health programmes in societies where challenges such as stigma take precedent. Guests (in order of appearance) Sergiy Prokhorov, SBC Specialist, Previously UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO)Joanne Lee, Mental Health Specialist, UNICEF ESAROBhai Shelly, SBC Specialist, UNICEF RwandaResources (in order of mention) Mental health of adolescents, World Health OrganizationConcern grows in Kenya after alarming rise in suicide cases, The GuardianUNICEF SBC Toolkit for Mental Health and Psychosocial SupportTalking in Circles (pg. 24) in UNICEF’s latest issue of Change MagazineThe views and opinions expressed by the contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of UNICEF or any entities they represent. The content here is for information purposes only. The ABCs of SBC is hosted by Qali Id and produced and developed by Helena Ballester Bon in partnership with Common Thread. Check out UNICEF’s latest publication on Social and Behaviour Change, Hidden in Plain Sight, a celebration of the everyday heroes on the frontlines of public health outbreaks, or the first publication, Why don’t you just behave! For more information about UNICEF SBC, check out the programme guidance. We care about what you think — you can share your thoughts on the podcast using this feedback form. For all other inquiries, please contact sbc@unicef.org.

    26 min
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5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

How does social and behaviour change support child rights? We are on a mission to find out. Through interviews with experts from across the globe, this podcast explores what Social and Behaviour Change (SBC) is and whether it can move the needle forward in the battle for gender equality, climate action, and other complex challenges. Tune in to hear Social and Behaviour Change practitioners across a variety of disciplines share their knowledge, learnings, and experience on whether SBC can help us achieve better outcomes for children across the globe.  Uncover the limits and possibilities of SBC in various global issues  — without the complexity, while on your commute.  Learn more about UNICEF SBC at www.sbcguidance.org

Information

  • Creator
    UNICEF SBC
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The ABCs of SBC
  • Show Website
    The ABCs of SBC

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