What are the benefits and potential pitfalls of using Paticipatory Video (PV) techniques to empower marginalised people? This handbook from Insight, a company specialising in PV techniques, offers practical guidelines for setting up a PV project. It shows that PV can be a powerful tool for positive social change as long as practitioners receive the necessary training, organisational backing and resources.
Using video as a means for participants to communicate their own stories can be a highly effective tool to engage and mobilise marginalised people. PV videos can be used to strengthen horizontal communication (by communicating with other communities) and vertical communication (by communicating with decision-makers). Nevertheless, inappropriate use of PV can raise unrealistic expectations. Lack of transparency, lack of follow-up and unkept or unreasonable promises may foster disillusionment.
There are a number of benefits of using PV:
- Video is an attractive technological tool which gives immediate results.
- The participatory process is rigorous but fun. It empowers participants by giving them control over the project.
- PV clarifies the topic by allowing participants to find their voice and focus on issues of local concern.
- Participants are able to share their voices with other communities and decision-makers. At the same time, PV catalyses action by bringing a community together over common concerns.
- PV is easily accessible and equips people with skills and positive attitudes. Furthermore, PV disseminates good practice by facilitating the sharing of information across a country, region, or internationally.
While PV can be a powerful tool, it must be used with great care, preparation, sensitivity and awareness. There are some important issues to consider:
- Introducing video and television to isolated communities as a medium of communication can be harmful if handled inappropriately. Bringing in ‘unnatural’, western technology without adequate sensitivity can reinforce the prevailing myth of the cultural superiority of the developed world.
- If management and staff of the organisation backing the PV project are not convinced of its value, the project is likely to fail. PV facilitators must be motivated and committed for the method to be successful.
- The project funder must be committed to the idea of empowerment of the target group. PV differs from documentary film in that it is the participants and not an external figure who decide the content and purpose of their films.
- PV project trainers and facilitators must have the necessary skills and resources to deal with technical problems and must have access to the necessary equipment. Sufficient time is needed for additional steps, such as conducting a pilot project and editing the footage.
