Annette Jaitner
Transparency International
The broad variety of Gareth's works for Transparency International reflects his wide skill set and experience: capacity-building in communications and community media, designing advocacy strategies, developing publications (as author, editor, designer, advisor) across a wide spectrum of topics and themes. Gareth's drive, dedication, diligence and exceptional professionalism significantly contributed to the success and impact of Transparency International's Land and Corruption programme.
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Isabelle Lemaire
InsightShare
Reliable, driven, on-time, on-spec and creative - that's Gareth Benest, and then so much more. If you want someone who shines with integrity, doesn't settle for less and can move mountains, you've got your man.
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Emily Wilson
Oxfam Canada
I first worked with Gareth in 2010, when we worked together to co-design and pilot a Participatory Video project in Southern Africa, to train local facilitators working on issues of women's rights and gender equality. In 2012, we collaborated a second time to coordinate two projects in Central Africa focused on using Participatory Video to support indigenous peoples to address issues of discrimination and to document their knowledge of and relationship to the forest.
Through these experiences of working together, I can attest that Gareth is passionate and knowledgeable about participatory approaches. He is a seasoned facilitator and also has great technical skills. Gareth has a wealth of experience and expertise in Participatory Video and participatory communications more broadly, and can bring many skills and competencies to any team or initiative.
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Jenni Kauppila
UN Association of Finland
Gareth Benest is one of those people who are always a pleasure to work with. He makes sure that projects are executed with high level of professionalism, but he does it so that everyone involved has a great time while learning! Gareth is committed to rights-based approach to development and has been a skillful facilitator in our Participatory Video workshops. He is able to find new solutions and encourage the team in front of unexpected challenges.
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Laura Meggiolaro
Land Portal
We greatly appreciate Gareth's professionalism and the high quality of his work. Gareth edited and designed our current strategy, which has been well-received from our stakeholders, including our donors. His clean and innovative design of our 2019 annual report has equally served us well. I would recommend Gareth without hesitation.
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Michael Okai
Ghana Integrity Initiative
Gareth's dedication, commitment and above all his patience with the participants was amazing and played a major role in the success of the project. It was a real eye-opener for me. Working with Gareth gave me the inspiration and courage to continue fighting for the rights of the marginalised in society.
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Doug Reeler
Barefoot Guide Connection / Tamarind Tree Associates
Gareth is thorough and creative, a deep listener and a clear communicator. He is precise in every aspect of his practice while being keenly aware of the whole and the larger purpose of his work. On top of that he is a good person to be around.
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Cornelia Abel
Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC)
I especially valued Gareth’s absolute honesty, his unfaltering consideration for the perspective of the participants, and his calm and patient way of resolving any obstacle that might appear. The project, but also Gareth himself, made a real difference to those people’s lives; helping them share experiences many had been suppressing for years
We worked with Gareth again very recently. Once again, it is Gareth’s patience, experience and pro-activeness – and an ever-prevailing positive mood - that is helping to make it happen. I would work with Gareth again anytime!
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Keidy Transfiguracion
Asia Pacific Indigenous Youth Network
Gareth is a very talented and patient facilitator. I've worked with him since 2010 on various Participatory Video projects focussed on Indigenous Peoples, climate change and environment. He's a great adviser!
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Samwel Nangiria
Oltolio-le Maa
Through Gareth’s support, we established this organisation with a strategy to fight for our land and cultural rights. The videos we made together brought new dimensions to our struggle for land rights, which the government of Tanzania could not ignore. The video Olosho established a new space for dialogue with the government, helping them to finally understand the intangible connections between the Maasai and our (threatened and disputed) land. Our work together marked the beginning of the new era of talking, engaging and attention. Oltolio-le Maa has grown to be an important local collective, living up to its name as a voice of the Maasai community voice, and establishing partnerships with local, national and international networks.