Panos London

They challenge the generalisations of development literature, increase our understanding of development issues, and enlighten planners and policymakers about how it feels to be at the sharp end of development. Oral testimony does not rely on consensus; rather it celebrates the - at times - awkward differences and contradictions between individuals.

We train and support local organisations to record and disseminate the views and experiences of those usually excluded from international development debates. The communities we work with are often marginalised by illiteracy, poverty, gender, disability, caste, religion or ethnic identity.
 
The testimonies are the result of open-ended interviews around a series of topics. Interviewers do not use formal questionnaires; narrators are encouraged to reflect upon the events they describe, and to give their views and opinions. By training local people interviewing can be done in local languages, in relaxed settings, and between people who share aspects of each other's backgrounds.

How is it different?

The use of participatory communication tools is widespread, and there is an increasing use of 'voices' in the communication of development issues. Our oral testimony methodology is unique in combining the following principles: 

• Taking a locally-rooted capacity-building approach
• Producing high quality materials
• Adopting methods and principles from oral history, notably ethics, documentation and archiving
• Focusing on the individual
  

What have we achieved?

The publication of Listening for a Change in 1991 paved the way for Panos London by identifying the value of oral history in the context of development. We have since worked on several international thematic projects, including women and conflict, mountains, resettlement, desertification and poverty reduction.

Through these projects we have worked with more than 50 partners in 30 countries, generating around 1000 testimonies. We have also supported local and national information activities based on the testimonies, as well as produced a range of material - print, radio and online - for international audiences.

We widely promote our oral testimony methodology by offering support and consultancy activities to other organisations.

Related links

• Life stories: archive of oral testimonies

See also

• Mountain voices website