Our World Our Say: Youth Perspectives on HIV and Environmental Advocacy Told Through Visual Storytelling and Empowerment

Presenter: Lesley Harris – Kent School of Social Work & Family Science    

The “Our World Our Say” project is a youth-led, arts-based participatory research initiative addressing social, health, and environmental issues in Hai Phong, Vietnam. Centered on the photovoice method, it empowers youth affected by HIV to share their experiences through photography and storytelling, fostering community awareness and advocacy. Since 2019, the project has trained 75 youth participants across three cohorts, culminating in a 2025 exhibition on environmental justice. Employing qualitative and quantitative methods, the study explores audience engagement, emphasizing emotional, educational, and transformative impacts. The project aims to drive social change and foster cross-cultural learning by amplifying youth voices.