Methodologies
 
Panos uses a number of methodological approaches, both time-tested and innovative, in the pursuit of our vision of creating a Southern African community that is informed and empowered to drive its own development.
 

Oral testimonies: 

An oral testimony is a recorded, first-hand account of an experience given by an affected person or group that can be disseminated in print, online, or via radio or television. Oral testimonies help to put a human face on topics that are often discussed in an impersonal manner. They are direct statements from those who normally lack a voice and a platform to share their experiences. They give affected people an opportunity to educate others in similar situations. This encourages empathy for the affected while increasing awareness on the subject matter. Ultimately, this generates enhanced knowledge among the general public, influences policy makers, and guides interventions. Through oral testimonies, PSAf has given a voice to a number of marginalized populations. Among them are Swazi women living with HIV, the rural poor in Mozambique, and some of Southern Africa’s HIV-positive journalists. PSAf has also used oral testimonies to document the hardships associated with the forced resettlement of the Tonga people of Southern Zambia and the plight of those afflicted with HIV and TB in Mozambique.
 

Radio listening clubs (RLCs): 

A radio listening club is a group of 30-40 people who meet regularly to plan, discuss, record, and listen to radio programmes that help them to address the needs of their communities. The members of the club are bound together by their shared concerns about HIV/AIDS, their environment, the government, and many other issues. The clubs give marginalized, vulnerable, and underprivileged people, who are often based in rural areas, an opportunity to engage their leaders directly through the media. Panos helps sensitize club leaders to identify and elucidate issues that affect their communities and assists in the facilitation of the recording process for RLC programmes. The questions and concerns of the clubs are then revealed to the appropriate experts or policy makers who respond to them directly. The end result is a finished programme, recorded in the local language used where the club is based, in which the people express themselves and those consulted respond directly. This is then broadcast, allowing the club and the general public to benefit from the answers given by the experts. Ultimately, this increases dialogue between the people and their leaders, empowers the vulnerable and marginalized, and effects positive changes in RLC communities. Some of PSAf’s currently-active RLCs are based in Zambia’s Southern Province. Through PSAf they have been sensitized on issues related to HIV and AIDS and have used the programmes to engage in a continuing dialogue with their Member of Parliament about increasing their access to anti-retroviral treatment and improving the clinics in their communities.
 

A 2006 Norad evaluation of RLCs in Zambia notes the following: 

During its fieldwork in Zambia the evaluation team visited radio listening clubs in both Mwanachingwala and Hanjalika Chiefdoms in the South of Zambia, twelve of them all together. With very simple means these clubs, most of them consist of women, have shown how communication strategies and practices at grass-root level can contribute to development. The women were involved in all stages of the process from articulating a problem, discussing it, recording it and with help from the Panos supported radio producer broadcasting it on the national radio. The initial discussion about development issues and the response to it from experts hence go out on ZNBC Radio 1 to all people within that language group nationwide. It is an example of fruitful cooperation between professional and amateur media practitioners. Through training with a professional producer the women are empowered and gain confidence. When a radio listening club is set up, in addition to the initial training it receives a radio, a small tape recorder, tapes, batteries and a relatively small amount of money from Panos. It was striking to see how the clubs had used this money as seed money to start development projects that contributed to the welfare of the group and the communities as well as served as a basis for communication through radio with other communities.
The three HIV/Aids listening clubs the team visited in Mwanachingwala Chiefdom in Southern Zambia were set up in February 2006. The clubs seem to be of central importance in lowering the stigma of being HIV positive, encouraging people to get tested and helping people living with the disease and their families through practical advice and counselling based on their own local experiences. The members of the HIV/Aids radio listening clubs also undertook practical work such as looking after orphans and disseminating information about protection and HIV/Aids related themes to other groups of people.

 Interactive radio programmes (IRPs): 

An interactive radio programme is a live radio discussion or debate which features an expert or a panel of experts in topical development issues. An essential component of IRPs is direct engagement with the audience through the use of telephone and internet services. This provides the general public with an instant line of communication to question Ministry officials, medical experts, and other specialists. Through IRPs, marginalized people gain a platform to interact with leaders and a voice to address issues that concern them and their communities in the presence of a live listening audience. This empowers members of the general public with an opportunity to hold their leaders accountable and keep them responsive to the needs of the people.
 
 

Research reports: 

A research report is a scientific document reflecting the findings of a study on a particular topic that were arrived at through systematic inquiry and investigation. The researchers responsible for the study use the evidence that they have obtained to analyze existing problems in an informed way with the goal of prescribing solutions to alleviate or solve them. Ultimately, research reports provide a firm, evidence-based foundation for advocacy when approaching policy makers with the aim of improving the lives of poor and marginalized communities. Research reports also provide a baseline for assessing the progress of developmental endeavours.
 

Manuals/toolkits: 

A manual or a toolkit is a booklet containing learning materials and instructions on development-related subject matter. These booklets are capacity-building resources that empower journalists and other information actors to generate media content that promotes awareness among the poor and marginalized on issues that affect them and their communities. These resources help to enhance the quality of the reporting that gets done on these issues, which, in turn, increases knowledge in the target communities, encouraging positive behavioural changes and improved livelihoods.
 

Roundtable discussions/debates: 

A roundtable discussion or debate is a forum that brings together different stakeholders to discuss and possibly resolve issues affecting their communities and/or the nation at large. This actively engages a diverse array of individuals to seek solutions and resolve misunderstandings regarding topics in development, all with the aim of improving the lives of the most vulnerable members of society.
 

Policy briefs:

A policy brief is a publication that outlines information related to policy formulation, implementation, and review aimed at providing a platform for debates to influence the creation of policies that are favourable to the poor and marginalized. The dissemination of policy briefs increases involvement among members of the public in shaping the decision-making that affects their lives and livelihoods.
 

Radio and television documentaries: 

Radio and television documentaries are programmes that highlight a particular theme or set of development issues. They are meant for dissemination to a wide audience and are produced and broadcast with the goal of empowering the public with information that they can use to engage their leaders and work to improve their lives and situations in their home communities.