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This article describes the process and outcomes of a participatory video project with 22 catadore/as (‘recyclers’) from recycling cooperatives in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil. During a week-long workshop (April 2008), leaders from participating cooperatives were trained in video technology, storyboard development, and postproduction media as a strategy to improve community–networking opportunities and to stimulate awareness and education of inclusive and integrated recycling programs. Through a participatory action research initiative, four short documentaries were then co-produced between 2009 and 2011 and a collaborative research design was developed to use the videos as a communication tool for enhancing dialogue with policy makers in three municipalities. This article explores the methodological and theoretical contributions of using participatory video as a strategy for mobilizing community knowledge. This research demonstrates the use of participatory video as a creative avenue to capture and nurture valuable knowledge often on the periphery, which can have powerful impacts when brought into centre stage. It also reviews theories of Community-based Participatory Action Research and Knowledge Democracy as central to expanding processes for participatory development and citizenship. The results reveal enhanced mobilization of this community and document the strengthening of partnerships between recycling cooperatives and municipal governments in the metropolitan region of São Paulo.

Abstract:The story of my face intertwines concepts of social semiotics and discourse analysis to explore how a simple type of printed media (flyer) can generate stigmatization of informal recyclers, known as binners in Western Canada. Every day, media exposes humans to signifiers (e.g., words, photographs, cartoons) that appear to be trivial but influence how we perceive their meaning. Amongst the signifiers frequently found in the media, the word "scavengers", has been used to refer to autonomous recyclers. Specific discourse has the potential to promote and perpetuate discrimination against the individuals who deal with selective collection of recyclables and decrease the value of their work. Their work is valuable because it generates income for recyclers, recovers resources and improves overall environmental health. In this context, the present qualitative study draws on data collected with binners during research conducted in the city of Victoria, in British Columbia. First we analyze a dialogue between binners from a participatory video workshop, to explore their perceptions of the stigma they suffer. Second we use a flyer produced by the local government alerting against scavenging to illustrate how the content (i.e., structural organization [text and images] in which they are embedded work together to mediate stigmatization against recyclers. Third, we analyze videotaped data from a panel discussion with local government, the local community, and binners on inclusive waste management, to uncover different negative perceptions of binners. In our study we look at the official discourse that marginalizes informal recyclers and creates social injustices. We illustrate how the recyclers perceive stigma and suggest that marginalization OPEN ACCESS

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