Diary of a participatory advocacy film project: transforming communication initiatives into living campaigns

Flower, Emilie, & McConville, Brigid. (2009). Development in Practice, 19 7), 933 — 937. doi: 10.1080/09614520903122428

Flower discussed her involvement in a PV project with the White Ribbon Alliance for Safer Motherhood in Tanzania in 2006. Many, including trained health workers and skilled film producers, were involved in this project. Yet, the author noted, "The PV methodology had been incorporated into the process because it reflected the WRA ethos of respect for and participation of all members. . . . In our work in Tanzania, however, the PV method was being brought in at a later stage; the WRA had already decided what was needed, so the film would be used to demonstrate that these were ‘real’ messages and to raise the profile of an existing advocacy campaign. The challenge was to use the PV method as an opportunity for communities to express their views and needs, without imposing a set of agendas" (p. 934-935).
[ This is a special case: PV was instrumental to proving the WRA's agenda]

The authors noted the successful delivery of the final product, showing it through a conference and TV, showing to the Minister of Health, interviewing him again. Yet they emphasized the participatory aspect began later:

"The project had successfully delivered the product, and the team returned to their posts with equipment and assignments. It would have been easy to leave the project there, but the participatory aspect of the video project really began to flourish almost from the moment we left the country. . ." (p. 936)

The local coordinator continued to produce films from participatory perspectives, bringing local voices and responses.