Listening for a change: oral testimony and development

The focus throughout is on "listening" to people, in order to learn from experiences. Oral testimony is considered in terms of oral history and oral artistry. The importance of listening is illustrated by a large number of entertaining case studies, drawn from both developed and developing countries, from a broad range of disciplines. The methodology is discussed, detailing the way in which development workers should be trained to listen. The four case studies illustrate practical applications where listening to oral testimonies has proved beneficial for project orientation and management. The use of visual techniques is mentioned only briefly, with an emphasised preference for the oral, believed to be an older form of communication than the visual.