WhatisParticipatoryVideo? Participatory Video (PV) involves teaching community members how to use video so they can represent issues that are important to them, regardless of literacy levels. The passing of the camera to community members can yield positive dividends through development of a community driven product the finished film. However, the process itself can also empower communities and act as a catalyst for change at local level. PV has been used in a range of contexts to give voice to local communities. Theyacquirebasicsthroughactivelearning Learningisequal:studentsbecometeachers Confidenceisgainedthroughnewskills Participantsareintroducedtothevideocamera Participantslearntouseadditionalequipment KeyissuesareidentifiedusingPRAtechniques Narrativesaredevelopedusingstoryboards Theprocessaimstobefun&engaging Differentcommunityviewsarecaptured Participantswatch&reflectontheirfilms Enablesaccesstoinaccessibleareas Participationcanbeextendedtoediting ParticipatoryVideo: Filmsarescreenedtothewidercommunityand feedbackisgathered Additionalinformationcanbeincorporatedfroma rangeofcommunitymembers Externalscreeningsaredocumentedtoshow communitiesthattheirvoiceisheard Filmscanbeshowntooutsideaudiencesincluding researchers&decisionmakers Canbeusedasatoolforparticipatoryresearchanddevelopment:itiscollaborativeratherthanextractiveandencouragestwowayexploration Enablescommunitiestorepresentthemselvesfromtheirpointofview,includingindigenousknowledgewhichisoftendifficult tocaptureusingtext Empowers participantstoreleasehiddenpotentialandresources Contributestoskillsdevelopmentandcapacitybuildingsocanbeawayofgivingsomethingbacktocommunitiessufferingfrom researchfatigue Bridgesgapsbetweenpeoplefromdifferentbackgroundsandperspectives Facilitateshorizontalandverticalcommunication:withthoseinpowerwhoarehardtoreachaswellaspeers Enablescommunitylevelanalysiswhichcanactasacatalystforactionandchange Theprocessisasimportantastheproduct! BethCullen (Photos:BethCullen) PreparedfortheInternationalForumonWaterandFood,SouthAfrica,1417November2011