For decades, governments have tackled public health challenges with clear policies and well-funded campaigns, only to find that the outcomes don't always follow. Information alone rarely changes what people do. Across the world, behavioural insights units have quietly taken root inside governments, helping policymakers understand why people behave as they do, and what it actually takes to shift decisions in everyday life.

In this episode, Qali follows the setup of a new Behavioural Insights Hub in Sri Lanka, a partnership between the Ministry of Health and UNICEF. From the first week-long workshop with senior health officials, to early interest from the President's office, to the disruption of Cyclone Ditwah just as the work was getting underway, this discussion explores what it takes to build behavioural science capacity inside government, and why the slower work of testing, learning, and embedding new ways of thinking is where real change happens.

You'll hear from:

• Dr Ranjith Batuwanthudawe, Director of the Health Promotion Bureau, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
• Ukasha Ramli, Global Behavioural Science Lead at UNICEF
• Ravinda Panchal Abeysinghe Wanninayake Mudiyanselage, Social and Behaviour Change Officer at UNICEF Sri Lanka
• Dr. Senal Fernando, Medical Officer - Health Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka
• Dr. Ganga Tennakoon, Registrar - Health Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka
• Dr. Amanthi Bandusena, Consultant Community Physician - Health Promotion Bureau, Sri Lanka

Resources:

• Video on the Behaviour Insights training conducted in Sri Lanka 
• Please email [email protected] to learn more about UNICEF's work supporting behavioural insights units inside government

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 UNICEF 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.

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