Uncovering the Hidden Harm Reduction Stories – Video Advocacy Training in Asia

The Rights Reporter Foundation, with the support of the International Drug Policy Consortium and the Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund (RCNF), organised Video Advocacy Training in Bangkok, Thailand. Learn about the training through the participants’ own words.

Nirvin Sidhu, Malaysian AIDS Council:

“The video advocacy training was a four-day workshop designed to teach the principles of making and using videos for advocacy. It was run by the Rights Reporter Foundation and funded by the Robert Carr Civil Society Networks Fund (RCNF).

It was a very practical workshop, with three out of the four days focused on shooting and editing videos. On the second day, the 10 participants were divided into five groups of two and sent to three NGOs to shoot interviews, using the clip on microphones we got. One group was sent to APCOM, two were sent to Asian Network of People Who Use Drugs (ANPUD), and two groups, including mine, were sent to Ozone Foundation. There we interviewed the Executive Director of Ozone. The third and fourth days were dedicated almost entirely to editing and post production.

The International Drug Policy Consortium organised the Support Don’t Punish workshop at the same time and location, and on Thursday morning we had a joint session with them, with some discussions on how we could work together with the video skills that we were learning.

Overall, it was a great learning experience for me. We were taught the principles of how to make analytical/investigative videos, informational videos, and personal story-driven videos. These skills definitely translate well to communication work. Besides that, the connections that I made with many people who are very passionate about harm reduction and drug policy was even more valuable, both for learning and inspiration.

One of the deliverables expected of me is to complete one video, and I plan to make one for World Hepatitis Day. There will also be a mini grant for us to apply for our video work soon.”

Helene Abi Assi, SKOUN, Lebanon:

“The video advocacy workshop was a great experience for me and I ended up learning a lot, thanks to the Rights Reporter foundation. The training helped me in my job as a communications officer to be able to create important and resourceful content and educate our audience, by learning the process of creating advocacy videos related to harm reduction and drug policy from start to finish.

The training is divided into the four main components: creating the concept and message of our video, learning hands-on with our camera, learning interviewing techniques and practicing them on local contributors in our field, and learning the ABCs of the editing process on Premiere Pro.

Over the course of four days, I got the chance to work with like-minded people in the field of drug policy and harm reduction, and learned important tools to be able to continue my job to advocate for human rights on any scale by creating engaging videos that carry an important message.  Overall, the experience was very enriching and inspiring and I am grateful to the Rights Reporter Foundation and our trainer István Gábor Takács for the opportunity.”

Si Thu Aung, Asian harm Reduction Network, Myanmar:

“This training was one in a million, pretty solid and I’m VERY pleased with the training. Actually, we have a lot of harm reduction stories which are still hidden. Now it helps to motivate us to explore all these hidden stories to put them on the screen for the whole world. This video advocacy training covers the whole spectrum of video advocacy, including video advocacy theory, camera handling, interview techniques, editing, and distribution. The most exciting part was going to another organisation and interviewing an appointed person. They were really kind and helpful. I loved very much that experience which I never got before. We had fun, we built cooperation skills, had teamwork, and it is an unforgettable experience.  We had a great instructor who is very enthusiastic and makes learning a breeze. Thank you for making everything so easy and efficient. You guys are really great.”

The 10 participants of the training all work at Harm Reduction and Drug Policy Reform organisations in the region. They arrived from India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Malaysia, The Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Nepal. The overall rating score of the training was the following:

The training was held by István Gábor Takács, Video Manager of the Rights Reporter Foundation, with the logistical assistance by Charuwon Ousingsawat and editing assistance by Pattanagorn Adirekkiat.