Saturday, 22 September 2007

Photography as a tool for community voice

Since posting earlier describing the young refugee photographic essay supported by International Medical Corps UK and National Geographic my friend Luigi has been in touch with other similar initiatives that I thought deserve their own separate posting. 'Photovoice blends a grassroots approach to photography and social action by providing cameras to people with the least access to those who make decisions affecting their lives. Photovoice has 3 main goals: to enable people to record and reflect their community's strengths and concerns; to promote critical dialogue and knowledge about personal and community issues through large and small group discussions of photographs; and to reach policy makers.'

For further information check the following sites:
Caroline Wang's PHOTOVOICE site
Photovoice (appears to be a different site but with same name and aims)
The Communication Initiative
Unheard Voices, Hidden Lives

Postcards from Home; Community Development through Participatory Photography is a brief powerpoint presentation that will be of use to those thinking of starting a participatory photography initiative.

If you are interested in a more detailed treatment of 'participatory photography' click here or go to the papers written by Caroline Wang on her website.

While a powerful tool for planning, M&E etc. there are important ethical implications that need to be worked through when undertaking an initiative of this sort.

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