The history and variety of Participatory Storytelling
In the first half of the session, Emiel Martens, explained what Participatory Storytellig entails. In his presentations, he showed us the different kinds of alternative media and participatory storytelling practitioners and advocates like:
- Conor Ashleigh (Filmmaker and Photographer)
- Kasia Kowalska (Chairperson of Upstream Stories)
- N’Deane Helajzen (Marketing & Sales Manager at Fairpicture)
- Mirte Jepma (Housing Researcher and Activist, and Filmmaker of The Sinking Fringe)
Using different definitions, we’ve learned that Participatory Storytelling gives the people telling the story the power to create and tell their own story. It is a bottom-up approach where they are involved in the story and the decisions throughout the whole production. This way of working focuses on sharing the authentic and multifaceted realities of the community members. Participatory Storytelling is not new; the first film shot in this way was in 1987 by the Maori and is called Ngati. The second film, from 1988, was also made by Maori and is called Mauri. Emiel explains the difference: “Instead of a fast-paced linear storyline, Ngati and Mauri offered a slow-paced multilayered narrative inspired by the oral storytelling traditions of the Maori. They were not so much action-driven and individual-driven, but merely flow-driven and community-driven.”
Discussion and extra information
After the theory, it was time for the practice. In the last half of the session, there was a lively discussion on implementing participatory storytelling and the difficulties involved. It is difficult for Western organisations to truly engage in participatory storytelling and use the outcome for funding or education. Also, in the chat, there was a lot of extra information. Most of the examples in the chat are discussed in the session. Here you’ll find some extra information and links:
- Recently, Cordaid did a project with Fairpicture Covering the earthquake response in Afghanistan – Fairpicture. There is a map with global coverage on the Fairpicture homepage Ethical Photo & Video Production and Training – Fairpicture
- Mensen met een Missie, who always works with local journalists and photographers, had good experiences overall, but there are also issues.
- BRANDOUTLOUD shares the research: “Reflect. Reframe. Redefine” By UNHCR and Jess Crombie.
- Catalina shares a beautiful speech by Sisonke Msimang on the topic.
- A remark about the idea that Participatory Storytelling is not always what the Dutch/ Western audience expects, and therefore, Western organisations are hesitant about it: “Then it might also be about ‘educating’ the Dutch audience… Currently, they still respond to traditional fundraising communication ways the most; thus, we adapt our content to make it as efficient as possible regarding fundraising. We need the audience to respond similarly to a different type of content.