Oral Testimony Programme, Panos London

The aim of the Oral Testimony Programme is to communicate the voices of those most affected by change and development. Oral testimonies are vivid, personal and direct; they challenge the generalisations of development literature and enlighten planners and policymakers about how it feels to be at the sharp end of development. They also increase understanding of issues by providing new insights and experiences. The Oral Testimony Programme trains and supports local organisations to record and disseminate the views and experiences of those usually excluded from international development debate. The communities we work with are often marginalised by illiteracy, poverty, gender, disability, caste, religion or ethnic identity.