Chris Lunch is a participatory video specialist and enthusiast, a modern day alchemist in the field of international development. He believes in the power of combining technology with participation to shift awareness, galvanise communities and unleash hidden energy for positive individual and collective change. 

"This is not a video camera" features the the topsy turvy world of participatory video - where the subjects of a film become the directors; where passive recipients of aid become active changemakers; and where the social enterprise he co-founded, InsightShare, has chosen: 'Make mistakes', 'Lose control' and 'Have fun', as its core values. 

This is a TEDx event, where TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. This event is one of the local, self-organized events which are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. 

To watch the video, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5nVsI2nzzEs

"Development is too often a top down process, with communities neither consulted nor empowered with information to enact change at the local level. As a result, accountability is weak, precious donor funding is not maximised, and communities lack ownership of key public goods." 

UNICEF Innovation

Concerned by the issue of untapped feedback from communities and particularly the youth, UNICEF has developed a free mobile communication system for youth in Uganda to share local information and their own opinions on public and grassroots problems. 

The Ureport SMS platform is a user-centred social monitoring too

iCow is an agricultural platform that provides information services for farmers accessible via mobile phones: dairy farmers will be able to keep tabs on their cows and enjoy tips on best practice. 

The iCow platform has a series of dairy agri-products available over a menu system. Farmers dial a short code, *285#, and access a menu that guides them on how to subscribe to the various products.

Video is a powerful Communication for Development tool to inform, educate and entertain, as it attracts people’s curiosity, overcomes illiteracy barriers and fits with the narrative culture prevailing in most developing contexts. Thanks to technical innovation it is now becoming more accessible and increasing numbers of people are producing their own materials (find out more about Video in Development).