When I began writing this blog, the intention was to focus on computing, be it mobile or static, and how, with the addition of some training and support, and (with a bit of luck) a readily available connection to the internet, it could change the lives of people and their communities in the developing world, in a sustainable, educational way.
Previous posts have looked at a range of different initiatives and innovations: The work of Computer Aid International, who supply computing hardware and expertise directly to schools, hospitals and NGO’s in the field; the power of e-Readers being harnessed for good in education thanks to the efforts of Worldreader, and the work of Frontline SMS in providing the means to organisations to be able to reach out and inform their communities through SMS text messages, accessible to anyone with a standard mobile phone.
In each of these instances, I’ve tried to approach the subject in hand in an ‘introductory’ manner, presenting the project or initiative in question as if to newcomers, and celebrating the efforts of the organisations concerned in such a way that is hopefully accessible not just to the ICT4Dev community, but to a much wider audience.
To this end, this post changes tack slightly, moving away from devices with keyboards and keypads and data, but still focussing on a tool that recent developments in technology have made more accessible and usable by just about anyone, than ever before: the (not so humble) video camera. In particular, I’m going to look at participatory video (PV), which whilst having been around as a concept for some time, has really began to emerge as a powerful tool for developing communities to use to engage and inform the outside world of the problems and issues they face, and therefore, hopefully, a tool for change.
For the uninitiated, and in basic ‘starter-kit’ terms, the concept of participatory video in action is when a group of people or community are given the means and training to produce their own video, the idea being that video as a medium is very accessible and gives rapid results that can be used to deliver and present the message a community are trying to convey.
Participatory video enables the groups involved to engage with the outside world; to present their story – their ‘version of events’ – that can be easily distributed globally and cheaply via the internet, thus empowering them to be able to communicate directly as ‘themselves’ to organisations and individuals beyond their community, in a positive and constructive way. By its nature, the process itself of producing the videos can have a powerfully collaborative effect on the people involved, bringing them together as they learn to use the equipment, apply the skills they’ve learnt through training, and produce their film, that can document, record and ultimately address the challenges they confront in everyday life.
There are many different practitioners and organisations that are utilising this simple yet powerful tool, to assist in bringing the stories of disparate and marginalised communities out into the open. InsightShare stand out as leaders in this field, and from the research I have carried out, appear to have taken it to a different level in terms of the variety of projects they have assisted with and the global reach of their expertise. Taking a consultative as well as hands-on approach and in many different countries and environments, they have advised a range of international development agencies, NGO’s and research institutions on PV methodology.
The About Us page of their website, under the heading ‘Our Work’, puts it very succinctly, explaining what their work demonstrates and what their core aims are:
“Our work…
– Aims to go beyond developing local participation to achieve full local ownership;
– Has a strong focus on the Participatory Video process going on behind the technology & its ability to strengthen and support other participatory development processes;
– Shows a unique combination of technical and facilitation skills, combines media and technology with participatory approaches and community engagement;
– Develops and improves PV tools constantly to enhance the design, set up and implementation of projects;
– Builds power for local users, involves people, give NGOs the tools to do this…”
Two of the recent projects involving InsightShare’s practitioners and expertise are the Women’s Access to Justice workshop in Chiang Mai, Thailand in August 2013, and a scoping and partnership building visit to the Isiolo and Marsabit counties of northern Kenya, with a view to further training and support to assist the local communities in PV.
Whilst these projects differ greatly in their nature or the environment in which they’re based, it would seem that the core aims of PV, in giving those involved a voice and a chance to be heard beyond the boundaries of their own communities, are strongly present in both.
For more information on the work of InsightShare, visit their website at: www.insightshare.org
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Benjamin Smith 