Highlighting Jalin Foundation’s best practices in promoting climate-friendly eating and inclusive immunization at the International SBCC Summit 2026.

The International Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) Summit once again brought together researchers, practitioners, policymakers, civil society organizations, and advocates from around the world to exchange knowledge and collaborate. The summit serves as a global platform for discussing effective communication strategies that drive positive behavior change across a wide range of issues, including public health, climate action, and social development.

Since its inaugural event in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2016, the SBCC Summit has become one of the leading international forums connecting change-makers from across the globe. The 2026 edition, held in Panama City, Panama, continued this tradition by showcasing successful initiatives that have created meaningful impact at both local and global levels.

At this year’s summit, Jalin Foundation participated through its Meatless Monday Indonesia (MMI) and BIAS-MSD programs, sharing Indonesia’s experience in advancing behavior change. The presentations highlighted two key initiatives: empowering youth leadership to expand the Meatless Monday Indonesia campaign and implementing an inclusive school-based immunization program through the National School Children’s Immunization Month (BIAS) in Bogor District, West Java.

The 2026 SBCC Summit adopted the theme, “The Power of Connection: Reimagining Knowledge, Action, and Equity in a Changing SBCC Landscape.” The theme emphasized the importance of cross-sector and cross-country collaboration in addressing increasingly complex global challenges while reinforcing the roles of knowledge, collective action, and equity in creating sustainable social change.

Throughout the summit, participants engaged in a variety of activities, including plenary sessions, scientific presentations, poster sessions, workshops, media showcases, and networking events. More than just a venue for exchanging ideas, the SBCC Summit fostered new partnerships, strengthened local leadership, and inspired innovative communication approaches capable of addressing social challenges at both global and local levels.

Jalin Foundation’s participation in the SBCC Summit provided an opportunity to bring Indonesia’s experiences and best practices to a global audience. Through poster presentations, an auxiliary event, and an oral presentation, the Foundation showcased behavior change communication approaches that address critical public health challenges, particularly in environmental sustainability and health equity by promoting climate-friendly eating and ensuring inclusive access to immunization for children.

During the poster session, Andi Reski Aprianti, Communication Lead at Jalin Foundation, presented a poster entitled “Scaling Climate-Friendly Eating Through Youth Leadership: The Meatless Monday Indonesia Experience.” The presentation demonstrated how youth leadership has become a key strategy for expanding the adoption of climate-friendly dietary practices through the Meatless Monday Indonesia campaign.

Meanwhile, Juhartini (Titin), Program Manager at Jalin Foundation, participated in the oral panel session “Immunization Equity: Trust, Inclusion & Community Voice,” alongside speakers from World Vision US and Population Services International (PSI). Titin presented “Inclusive School-Based Immunization Program (BIAS): Advancing Equity for Underserved Children in Bogor District, West Java, Indonesia.” Her presentation highlighted strategies for reaching children outside the formal education system through collaboration and behavior change interventions.

Through the National School Children’s Immunization Month (BIAS), Jalin Foundation supports expanding immunization access for children who are not enrolled in formal schools, including those attending religious schools and Community Learning Centers (PKBM). By combining community-based education, digital campaigns, and cross-sector collaboration, the program has successfully increased immunization coverage while providing a more inclusive model for reaching underserved children.

In addition to the poster and oral presentations, Jalin Foundation participated in the Auxiliary Event organized by Meatless Monday Global under the theme “Small Shifts, Big Impact.” During the Meatless Monday Global roundtable discussion, Andi Reski Aprianti represented Meatless Monday Indonesia by sharing the country’s experiences and best practices in implementing the campaign through social media engagement and meaningful youth participation. The discussion generated valuable insights and strengthened collaborative networks to expand the adoption of plant-based eating that is accessible, appealing, and beneficial for both people and the planet.

From encouraging healthier and more climate-friendly eating habits to ensuring every child has equal access to immunization, Jalin Foundation’s participation in the International SBCC Summit demonstrated that lasting social change is built through collaboration, innovation, and meaningful community engagement.

The 2026 SBCC Summit provided Jalin Foundation with an opportunity not only to share Indonesia’s experiences but also to learn from practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and civil society organizations from around the world who are working to promote behavior change through effective communication.

Discussions throughout the summit revealed that while every country faces unique challenges and contexts, they share a common goal: creating healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable societies.

Through this global exchange, Jalin Foundation gained valuable insights into communication approaches that are more creative, participatory, and responsive to community needs. These lessons will help strengthen and refine the Foundation’s future programs, making them increasingly relevant, accessible, and impactful for communities across Indonesia.

Jalin Foundation’s participation in the 2026 SBCC Summit marked an important milestone in introducing its work and programs to the global SBCC community. The summit expanded the Foundation’s international network, created opportunities for collaboration with global organizations, and strengthened its position as a trusted partner in the field of Social and Behavior Change Communication.

Beyond fostering new partnerships, the event also provided valuable learning through the exchange of experiences and best practices from different countries. These insights will serve as an important reference as Jalin Foundation continues to design and implement innovative, evidence-based programs that respond to the evolving needs of communities in Indonesia.