Facilitation and Ethics in Participatory Video

1. The role of the facilitator in participatory video

Key characteristics to be a good facilitator:

• Clearly explain what you are going to do.
• Manage expectations: clearly explain the potential benefits. 
• Get to know the participants: learn their names and backgrounds.
• Encourage participation: be aware of who is talking and help quieter participants to take part.
• Be an active listener: always listen and pay attention, even if someone is not speaking in your language. In this case you can engage a local translator.
• Be observant: be aware of group dynamics.
• Be positive: always encourage and support participants.
• Be neutral: make sure you facilitate all views.
• Behave according to local rules and customs: respect local customs including appropriate expressions and body language.
• Feedback and questions: ask for feedback and answer participant’s questions.

2. Ethical considerations in participatory video

• Community: is a group of diverse individuals that share one or more of the following features: geographical location, ethnicity, belief or any socio-ecological aspect that gives them a sense of belonging to the same group and sharing of similar issues. 
• Decision-maker: a person who makes important decisions that might affect the life of others. Examples are local leaders and politicians.
• Ethical: refers to standards of equity, positive attitude, anonymity and consent that provide guidelines for what we do in terms of rights, obligations, benefits to society and fairness. 
• Data: are characteristics or information, usually numerical, that are collected through observation. They can also be photos, videos and text.
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), promoted through international agreements and safeguards, implies Free of coercion, intimidation, or manipulation, Prior involvement in decision-making about the activity, and Informed access to information such as the purpose, process, duration, location and benefits of the activity.