Participatory Video in Practice – Interview with Venant Messe (Cameroon) | Full Interview

In this in-depth interview, Venant Messe of Association OKANI reflects on the long-term impact of Participatory Video (PV) in supporting Indigenous Baka communities in Cameroon. Looking back over several years of work, he explains how Participatory Video evolved from a communication tool into a catalyst for social and political change. Through practical examples, he describes how Baka communities have used video to strengthen representation in local government, improve education, respond to public health challenges, protect community resources, and engage more effectively with government institutions and development organisations. Messe also shares how PV transformed OKANI itself, helping the organisation build credibility, attract partnerships, and become recognised nationally for bringing community voices directly into decision-making processes. This conversation offers a rare opportunity to hear, first-hand, from one of InsightShare's long-standing partners, with whom we demonstrated the transformative potential of Participatory Video—from an initial capacity-building programme to a locally owned and managed approach that continued to deliver impact for many years. Watch a related video – Peaceful Cohabitation, created by Baka participants in Lokuku, Democratic Republic of Congo:    • Efandeli Malamu (Peaceful Cohabitation) en...   Interview recorded on 15 October 2014.