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​H.E.A.R (Hear-Engage-Amplify-Resonate), is a participatory filmmaking project that aims to promote understanding and cooperation between people, communities and key players in international development.

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Problem statement

Very often in the realm of international development, projects and policies do not start from the people whom they try to serve. The voice of the common people, who are personally affected by the ongoing global development discussion, is underrepresented. As a result, the lack of personal familiarity with the people and their communities on the part of the established players leads to inefficiency of development projects.

 

Solution proposal

We believe that everyone has the right to be heard, especially the communities at the receiving end of aid. Thus, Project H.E.A.R. promotes a human-centered design approach* to international development using participatory filmmaking.

 

(*) Human-Centered Design Approach: Seeking ways to serve and support people by uncovering latent needs, behaviors, and desires (Refer to: http://ww

w.ideo.com/about/)

 

What we do

We live and work with marginalized communities to create participatory short films to amplify their underrepresented voices through capacity building workshops. 

We distribute community-based films and facilitate discussions around topics of international development.

 

 

Mission

Our goal is to level these experiences with those of other players within the international development realm through the power of participatory films.

 

 

Stakeholders

H.E.A.R works with four different, but interconnected players in international development: the community (beneficiaries), local officials/grassroots organizations, International Organizations (INGOs) and policymakers in Government. 

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 Project H.E.A.R will help poor communities, who are often the beneficiaries of many development projects, to vocalize their needs, concerns, and thoughts. It is also a way of empowering disadvantaged people to become active partners in development.



 In regards to local officials and local grassroots organizations, the direct implementer of most development projects, this project will assist officials and practitioners to better understand the community and the people which they try to serve, thus design better projects that fits directly into their needs.



 This project will also assist INGOs, who are often funders of development projects, to gain first-person perspective into a native community and understanding of their needs.



 Lastly, the films from project H.E.A.R will be an advocacy tool to policymakers in government, who are often the ultimate decision maker in many developing countries, to lobby for people-centered policymaking and development.