Favela Climate Memory Exhibition

Favela Climate Memory is a groundbreaking oral history-based, qualitative research project developed by eleven favela community museums within Rio de Janeiro's 1100-strong Sustainable Favela Network (the city has over 30 community museums). It powerfully illustrates—and provides replicable methodology—on the importance of harnessing local knowledge in addressing the climate change challenge.

The exhibition includes a documentary, a physical installation comprised of banners, timeline, interactive map and “Well of Memories,” resulting from oral histories gathered by local groups. The Anthem Award-winning exhibition, featured in The Guardian, was informed by 1,145 testimonials from 382 participants during discussion circles in ten informal settlements. A recurring theme was water. 26% of these testimonials involved water and reflections on changes that led favela tributaries to be treated like open sewers by authorities.

At I4C26, I will present the methodology and exhibition, including a miniature version of some of the materials in the installation, and share a new Favela Climate Memory Report featuring replicable methodology, resulting data and lessons learned.