project Trialling the use of participatory video as a tool for child led advocacy for DRR
theme: voice and participation
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This research project is trialling the use of participatory tools, including video, to see how participation and amplifying children's voices in this way can improve vulnerable communities' abilities to understand and communicate risk and contribute to improved disaster risk management?
Magpapadayon kami hini nga video ngada makuha namon it objectives / We will continue disseminating and educating people through our video until we attain our objectives
participant, age 15 from Cadian, Oras, Eastern Samar, during debriefing session with child film makers following the provincial level screening when the children received no commitment for change from the Governor
project particulars
co-ordinator: Fran Seballos, IDS
partners: Institute of Development Studies, Risk Frontiers, RMIT, Plan Indonesia, Plan Philippines
researchers: Kat Haynes, RMIT; Kelly Hawrylyshyn, Plan UK; Sapril Akhmady, Freelance; Ladylyn Mangada, University of the Philippines - Tacloban
duration: January – December 2009
funders: Forces of Nature Foundation, Plan International, ESRC
countries: Indonesia and Philippines
overview
Evidence from ccc-research on risk communication in El Salvador and the Philippines has shown that children and youth are potential informants within informal and formal risk communication networks and their positive role in disaster risk reduction can be significant. However, further strategies and tools are needed to enable children's voices to influence decision makers (including government, practitioners and community leaders) and to increase learning between children in different countries on climate change and disaster risk reduction.
This project will generate evidence on whether improving the participation of children in disaster risk reduction programmes, and amplifying their voice in disaster risk reduction policy spaces through participatory tools can improve vulnerable communities' abilities to understand and communicate risk and contribute to improved disaster risk management? Building on the research undertaken in Nepal, this project will trial the use of participatory video and workshops, as a means of facilitating communication between children and decision-makers in the Philippines and Indonesia.
Key research questionsHow can improving the participation of vulnerable communities in disaster risk reduction strengthen disaster risk management?
Can participatory tools be used to enable children in those vulnerable communities to influence and improve disaster risk reduction policy and to increase learning and knowledge communication between vulnerable groups on disaster risk reduction?
The project will be completed in three stages:
Stage 1: DRR and PV training for children's groups.
Stage 2: Filming and screening at the community level to generate feedback and inform revision of content. Feedback from the researchers, Plan staff and funders will also be provided.
Stage 3: Video adjustments through re-filming / editing followed by screenings of the final films for the community and municipal and provincial leaders and government officers. Interactive workshops will also be facilitated at each level between the children and other stakeholders, with the aim of gaining some level of commitment for change from the adults.
key findings
Recent project activity:
In September 2009 the final videos produced by children were screened at workshop events at the community and municipal level in both countries. The films were also screened at the provincial level in Eastern Samar, which the provincial Governor and Board members of Eastern Samar attended.
Key emerging findings:
The video documentaries are generally of high quality, with well illustrated arguments, compelling plot-lines, and recommendations for concrete next steps. Children analyse the problem, show what they are already doing to address their risks and identify what support they need in the future. Their analysis of the local context balances the impact of climate change with the multiple human induced causes of risk and vulnerability.
The videos from the Philippines are more polished than those from Indonesia. This is a result of a difference in the level of adult input between the two countries. The children in the Philippines also took on board more of the feedback provided by the research team and funders. However, determining the correct level of adult input is difficult and depends on the final objectives for the project and the videos. While the Indonesian videos served as a good tool for communicating to local government officials and opening the door for further dialogue at the local level, they are not as useful as the Philippine films for awareness raising and advocacy at the international level. For example, the Indonesian films contain copyrighted music and cannot be shown on YouTube or in their full length versions at key meetings such as the UN climate change conference. However, it is unclear if the Philippine films now accurately represent the original visions of the children or are they better described as a combined child / adult voice? At the end of the day which is more useful? The Philippine children certainly learnt a lot more through the process of reiteration and the final outcome is still child led, therefore perhaps a child / adult combination is the more powerful advocacy tool.
It must be remembered that the videos are only one element in a broader process that enables children to investigate and connect with their own communities and officials. This process has opened a door for dialogue and Plan will need to monitor and support this engagement in the future, particularly to follow up on the actions promised by officials. This needs to be stressed when the videos are screened elsewhere.
Reports and journal articles will be available soon.
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