Our time to be heard: youth, poverty forums and participatory video (PLA 64)
In this article we reflect on how participatory processes like participatory video (PV) and dialogue forums empower youth to engage with public officials and demand transparency and accountability in decision-making around public funds and provision of public services.
Poverty forums and PV are an integral part of the Centre for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia’s (CENTAL’s) Poverty and Corruption in Liberia project. Both approaches are complementary to each other as they bring together citizens and their government officials to directly discuss local development issues. PV is particularly attractive to youth and can serve to amplify their concerns. We show practical outcomes and challenges, and how both approaches have contributed to more participatory governance. With this article we hope to encourage youth, development workers, government officials and national and international civil society organisations to use participatory approaches to initiate dialogue between young citizens and duty bearers, engendering positive change.
Participatory Learning and Action (PLA, formerly PLA Notes) is the world's leading series on participatory approaches and methods. PLA publishes articles on participation aimed at practitioners, researchers, academics and activists. All articles are peer-reviewed by an international editorial board. See: www.planotes.org
Keywords: Children, youth, young people, child rights, participatory governance
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Available at https://www.iied.org/g03194