Towards inclusive waste management: participatory video as a communication tool

Abstract

This paper describes the outcomes of a participatory video (PV) project with recycling cooperatives in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil between 2008 and 2012. Through a participatory action research approach, four PVs were co-produced and a collaborative research design was developed with participants to use the videos as a communication tool for enhancing dialogue and promoting inclusive and integrated approaches to waste management with policy makers. The catadore/as (‘recyclers’) involved are all participants of the Participatory Sustainable Waste Management (PSWM) project, a six-year partnership programme between the University of Victoria, the University of São Paulo, over 30 recycling cooperatives, municipal governments and various non-governmental organisations in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. This paper explores the methodological and theoretical contributions of using PV for enhancing the representation of catadore/as and the potential for shifting power dynamics in spaces of public policy. It also points to the growing organisation (and movement) of recycling cooperatives and associations as instrumental in improving the livelihoods of recyclers and crucial to expanding models of PSWM. The key findings highlight: the importance of building strong partnerships between the government and the recyclers; the necessary expansion of environmental education programmes valuing the principles of PSWM; and the need for adequate public policies to support these initiatives. The paper also draws attention to the relationship of power and knowledge that emerged through this process and reflects on the changing nature of citizen engagement in policy processes.

Digital storytelling for policy impact: perspectives from co-producing knowledge for food system governance in South Africa

“…Underlying power dynamics, however, make it hard for disadvantaged people to participate fully in 'invited spaces' (Gaventa, 2006). Tremblay (2013) and others (Mitchell, 2015;Shaw, 2017) have discussed the theoretical and methodological ability of participatory video, for example, to mitigate power imbalances and enhance dialogue and learning between researchers, policymakers and community members. However, in this study, and as discussed by Sykes (2020), there were irrefutable constraints in terms of balancing power between the participants (giving consent) and the researchers (requesting consent), as well as the audience.…”

Water governance in two urban African contexts: agency and action through participatory video

“…Many have argued that community-driven research can foster agency by encouraging people whose voices have been marginalised to produce counter-discourses (Shaw, 2017a;Tremblay, 2013). Of course, these projects always need to be attentive to the ways that any form of engagement also has the potential to further particular silences (Spivak, 1988).…”

“…Assessing power relations is critical to understanding the extent to which new spaces for participatory governance can be used for transformative engagement, or whether they are more likely to be instruments for re-enforcing domination and control (Gaventa, 2001). In a study by Tremblay (2013) with recycling cooperatives in Brazil, there was evidence of the PV process facilitating a specific response from government. In that situation, the participating government experienced a changed perception of the recyclers, validating their work as environmental stewards, and recognising their unique and vital contribution to waste management efforts.…”

Recycling stories: Lessons from community arts-based process and exhibition in Brazil

“…To overcome marginalisation suffered by recyclers, the MNCR and recycling cooperatives engage them and the general public in dialogue around social and environmental issues that affect recyclers' livelihoods. These conversations help to create networks with government and non-governmental sections, creating inclusive solutions to recycling management and recyclers' social inclusion (Tremblay, 2013). In addition, in the last decades, these dialogues have been mediated by community arts projects that open new spaces for KMb.…”