Rhun Island recently became the center of an inspiring effort to empower communities through photography. From June 11 to 14, 2025, Coral Triangle Center (CTC), Photovoices International (PVI) and the Government of Rhun Island joined hands to host a four-day training aimed at equipping local residents with the skills to document natural resource management issues through their own lens.

A total of 22 participants, including 10 women, took part in the training, representing communities from Rhun Island, Ay Island and Selamon. The activity aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of the Photovoices approach, encourage critical dialogue, build trust among participants and identify local issues that impact their lives.

Over the four days, participants learned participatory photography methods, ethical documentation practices and hands-on camera techniques such as composition, lighting and storytelling through images. Discussions and mapping exercises helped participants identify issues critical to their communities including waste management, health, fisheries, agriculture, education, culture and tourism. These issues will now be documented through photographs and personal stories by the participants themselves, offering a unique perspective on local challenges and solutions.

Despite challenges such as limited facilitator resources and language barriers, the training was successfully completed with strong support from local government and community members. Participants engaged actively in both classroom sessions and outdoor practice, showing enthusiasm to use photography as a means of advocacy and change.

The program will run through November 2025 and will culminate in a public photo exhibition showcasing the participants’ work. The exhibition will provide a platform for community members to share their stories with policymakers, stakeholders and the wider public, bringing local voices and solutions into broader conversations about sustainable resource management in the Banda Islands.

Writers : Asia Salsabilla, La Ode Junaiadin, Soraya Rahmad.
Photos : CTC/La Ode Junaiadin, CTC/Soraya Rahmad.