digital storytelling
I designed the Community Digital Storytelling (CDST) process as a participatory development approach that promotes collaboratively created group stories—in people’s own language and voice using photos, narration and music—that the storytellers use to improve their lives. CDST prioritizes processes of exploration, reflection, dialogue, engagement and mobilization to strengthen understanding, self-confidence and ownership on concerning issues and solutions. CDST is similar to the PhotoVoice process. I adapted it to be applied as a collaborative storytelling process that results in film-like photo-video stories. The CDST technical guidelines were developed from the original handbook I created for CARE in how to facilitate the process.
UNICEF INDONESIA
Youth Voices from the Frontline: Community Digital Storytelling
UNICEF Indonesia initiated the “Youth Voices from the Frontline” project to strengthen youth engagement through the Children in a Changing Climate Coalition, which I helped design and facilitate with PannaFoto Institute in Jakarta. It included participants from ChildFund, Plan International Indonesia, Yayasan Sayangi Tunas Cilik, Wahana Visi Indonesia, Pramuka, Climate Warriors, Forum Anak Nasional, Youth for Climate Change, Youth Network on Violence Against Children and Sinergi Muda. Through the on-going “Youth Voices” project, young people will gain knowledge about climate change and disasters, build their confidence, and share their concerns with those who can address them and work with them to design solutions and take action.
Download: Youth Voices From the Frontline
Download: “Youth Voices” CDST Guide for Master Facilitators and Visual Storytellers (developed with the Panafoto Institute and UNICEF Jakara)
Download the Handbook of Communication for Development and Social Change journal article:Youth Voices from the Frontlines: Facilitating Meaningful Youth Voice Participation on Climate, Disasters, and Environment in Indonesia (2018).
CARE VIETNAM
Cham fisherwomen in the Vietnam Mekong Delta develop a story about how they are impacted by a changing climate; and the adaptation strategies they want to see as part of a CARE in Vietnam project. The stories led to the women and their families securing land in the community as a first step towards greater food security, health and resiliency. Download: Our Valuable Voices
Our Valuable Voices: Community Digital Storytelling in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam
CARE believes that a vibrant, diverse society becomes stronger when everyone can equally contribute their voice to decisions that impact them. This is why CARE used Community Digital Storytelling (CDST) with Cham fisherwomen and men in the Mekong Delta to strengthen and amplify their voice. To help strengthen the response to the stories, myself and CARE trained staff members and government partners as CDST facilitators. This team not only supported the Cham fisherwomen and men in developing their stories, but also continues to work in the region to strengthen Cham community members’ resilience to climate change. The storytelling process also involved people with strong ties to the community to foster and support an on-going dialogue that can address concerns raised in the photo-videos. This included a Cham community member from the Women’s Union and the Imam from the local mosque.
Download: Our Valuable Voices: Community Digital Storytelling for Good Programming and Policy Engagement
Kenya & Mozambique - Adaptation Learning Program for Africa (ALP)
In 2011-2012, CARE worked with local journalists and women, elder men and young men in Kenya, Niger, Ghana and Mozambique to share their stories about how climate change impacts them, and how they are coping. These digital photo stories were used for community awareness-raising about climate change impacts; to understand and monitor change through the ALP program over time; and for advocacy. They are integral to CARE's process of working with communities in setting priorities, and developing and monitoring adaptation strategies. I trained CARE staff and journalists in Kenya and Mozambique, and supported the development of the CDST Technical Guide.