The “Listening and Learning” (L&L) method is an innovative youth lead, technically advised and adult supported approach that is based on conversations to capture individual perspectives and experiences.

Grounded in principles of Participatory Action Research (PAR), L&L shifts the act of gathering information from a one-sided interview where only subjects share intimate and private information, to an exchange of experiences where the researchers themselves participate in the sharing of personal views, experiences, and emotions in a nonadversarial manner.

By allowing vulnerability to be mutual, this two-sided participatory dialogue alters power dynamics and induces a more sincere and fruitful conversation. The basis of this approach is something everyone does on a daily basis— have conversations.

The L&L method equips youth researchers with the skills to transform the art of having conversations into a rigorous inquiry process that is easily adaptable to local contexts, especially in cultures with a deep oral tradition. The L&L method also empowers young people to lead a process, develop ownership of it, and adapt it to other projects and contexts.