Innovative ‘participatory video’ event aimed at highlighting problems of remote Himalayan communities

More than 50 policy-makers, advisers and development specialists are attending a unique two-day event this week aimed at allowing villagers from India, Pakistan, China and Tibet to present the problems they face in managing natural resources such as water and fodder for livestock, via ‘participatory videos’, an innovative new technique allowing ‘grassroots’ opinions to be conveyed to decision-makers in a non-inhibiting way.

Organised by leading land use research institute, Aberdeen-based The Macaulay Institute in collaboration with Insight, a France/UK based organisation pioneering the use of participatory videos in this way, the event is being held on 15th September at the Stanhope Centre in London.

Commenting on the purpose of the event, Dr Iain Wright, of The Macaulay Institute and Project Co-ordinator, said: “Usually government organisations and research establishments determine which areas of concern require attention in these countries, especially with regard to natural resource management. At this event we are turning this way of working on its head and allowing local farmers to present their concerns and aspirations.”

The participatory videos being shown at the event were made by communities from Ladakh (India), Pakistan and China (Eastern Tibet) with specialist help.

Chris Lunch, Director of Insight, said: “Showing a video rather than giving a speech puts local community representatives on a more equal footing with scientists, NGO participants and so on, who may have more experience of conferences and public speaking. They are also of great value in helping external agencies to appreciate not only the problems, but also the solutions local communities see for the management of their natural resources.

“Recent experience by project team members in Central Asia has shown participatory video to be a very powerful and effective tool in communicating to a wide range of people the aspirations of local communities and stimulated considerable discussion among the research community and government officials.”

The event is part of a European Commission funded project coordinated by The Macaulay Institute to identify the key research requirements for natural resource management to support existing policies for sustainable integrated mountain development in the KHKH region.

The Macaulay Institute is the premier land use research institute in the UK. Two hundred and seventy staff are based at the Macaulay Institute at Craigiebuckler in Aberdeen. The Macaulay Institute aims to be an international leader in research on the use of rural land resources for the benefit of people and the environment and is involved in research across the globe; from Scotland to Chile and China. More about the Macaulay Institute can be found at www.macaulay.ac.uk

Insight is a UK/France-based NGO, specialising in using Participatory Video methodology as a powerful participatory research and development tool. The company’s focus is on empowering marginalised populations and enabling them to influence policy and decision-makers. Insight has over 16 years experience in facilitating PV projects at grassroots level, working with communities, NGOs, research institutions and governmental organisations in Central Asia, Africa, China, Nepal, Pakistan and throughout the UK. More about Insight can be found at www.insightshare.org or by contacting Nick or Chris Lunch, Nick’s mobile: 07766 178533.

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Participatory Videos

Participatory video (PV) is an exciting and innovative way of allowing people to express their achievements and aspirations through the medium of film. PV empowers communities, demystifying the tool of video-making and turning it over to them. It is the community members themselves who do the filming – they choose what to film, and what to say.

PV differs fundamentally from traditional filming, which is primarily focused on creating a finished product. PV aims for community empowerment; therefore the process is more important than the product. In PV, the people concerned are put in control right from the start. In a nutshell, PV works like this:

• Participants (men, women and youth) rapidly learn how to use video equipment through games and exercises.
• Facilitators help groups identify and analyse important issues in their community.
• Video messages are directed and filmed by the participants.
• Footage is shown to the wider community at daily screenings, setting in motion a dynamic exchange of ideas and perceptions.
• Completed films can be used to promote awareness and exchange between various different target groups.

PV methods are a powerful means of documenting local people’s experiences, wants and hopes from their own perspectives. They initiate a process of analysis and change that celebrates local knowledge and practice, while stimulating creativity both within and beyond the community. When done well, PV presents the ‘inside view’ in a lively way and is accessible for people at all levels. All members in a community have equal access to communicate their perspectives. The video medium is transportable, easily replicated and easily shared; it thus has a wide ’spread effect’.

Stephen Hancock who also participated in the project in India, documented his experience and has written a feature article with accompanying images – he is also available for comment by contacting 01865 775 532.