1. Invisible Children Advocacy
Group vs. Joseph Koney
Exploiters or Social Change Agents?
Controversy over a half minute video, “Koney
2012,” viewed by millions in the second week of
March, 2010

2. Invisible Children: Our Mission
• “Invisible Children uses Film, Creativity, and
Social Action to End the Use of Child
Soldiers in Joseph Kony’s Rebel War and
Restore LRA-Affected Communities in
Central Africa to Peace and Prosperity.”
• See controversial 30 minute video now:
www.invisiblechildren.com

3. Our Three Methods
“Make the world aware of the LRA. This
includes making documentary films and
touring them around the world so that they
are seen for free by millions of people
“Channel energy from viewers of IC films
into large-scale advocacy campaigns to stop
the LRA and protect civilians.
“Operate programs on the ground in LRA-
affected areas that provide protection,
rehabilitation and development assistance.”
www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html

4. How Invisible Children Started
• “In the spring of 2003, three young
filmakers traveled to Africa in search of a
story.
• “What started out as a filmmaking
adventure became much more when Jason,
Laren, and Bobby stumbled upon Africa’s
longest-lasting-running war--a conflict
where children were both the weapons and
the victims.
www.invisiblechildren.com

5. How It Started
• The filmakers “produced the documentary
Invisible Children: Rough Cut in 2005. At
first they just showed it to family and
friends, but it wasn’t long before millions of
people had seen the documentary and knew
about ‘invisible children.’”
(See trailer for video in next slide)
• “In 2006, Invisible Children Inc. became an
official 501(c)3 non-profit.”
www.invisiblechildren.com

6. Who We Are
• “... storytellers ... visionaries, humanitarians,
artists, and entrepreneurs... a generation
eager for change and willing to pursue it.
• “... headquarters in San Diego... talented
staff, hundreds of committed volunteers...
thousands of young activists who want to
use their voices for peace.
• “... offices in Uganda and the Democratic
Republic of Africa run by development
professionals primarily from war-affected
region...”

7. How We Make a Difference
• “Half our work happens on the ground in
Central Africa, and the other half happens
in the United States.
• “In Central Africa, all our programming is a
partnership between Invisible Children and
the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army)-affected
communities. We focus on long-term goals
that enable children to take responsibility
for their futures and the futures of their
countries (addressing) the need for quality
education, mentorships, the redevelopment of
schools, and financial stability. “

8. How We Make a Difference
• “In areas where the LRA is still active, we
focus on civilian protection and
rehabilitation.
• Our work in the U.S. focuses on advocacy
and inspiring America’s youth to ‘do more
than just watch.’ We believe that by trying
to unite our voices we can use the systems,
influence,and resources of the U.S. to
expedite an end to the conflict.”

9. Invisible Children Inc. FINANCES
2011
• Total Revenue: $13,765,177
Grants/Partnerships 22%
• Total Expenses: $8,894,630
Central Africa Programs 37.14%
Awareness Programs/Film&Media/
Awareness Products about 45%
Management & Fundraising about 20%

10. Critiques of Invisible
Children
(You be the judge. Under Critiques
on their home page, they answer
most of these objections
straightforwardly.)
• Invisible Children is a charitable organization
and should not be involved with politics.
• Most of the money they raise stays in the
United States for staff and promotional
expenses.

11. Critiques Against IC
• The video and leadership give the impression
of perpetuating the “White Man’s Burden”
and Savior complex.
• The video can make one feel exploited
emotionally rather than objectively
informed.
• The video exaggerates facts about the LRA
and oversimplifies a complex situation.

12. Critiques Against IC
• Critics suggest that IC is drawing charitable
moneys from other organizations with
greater scope of ground services.
• There is also the suggestion that IC’s high-
powered awareness techniques may produce
“compassion fatigue.”

13. A Sad and Embarrassing Breakdown
• Co-founder of Invisible Children and star,
with his son Gavin, in the film, “Kony 2012,”
Jason Russell was picked up by police,
16Mar’12, for public incident of naked mania
and indecent behavior apparently caused by
exhaustion, dehydration and malnutrition.
• In a 2011 interview with PMc Magazine,
Russell expressed rather grandiose opinions
about himself, his accomplishments and his
future plans.

14. Joseph Kony
1961-
• Altar boy, left church at age 15,
apprenticed as village witchdoctor, affiliated
with Alice Auma’s or Lawkwena’s Holy Spirit
Movement, group represented the Acoli
people.
• Claims that his LRA wants to establish a
Ugandan government based on the Ten
Commandments--though he seems to have
broken most of them.
• Then developed the Lord’s Resistance
Army--significant by 1988.

15. Joseph Kony and the
Lord’s Resistance Army
• There can be no question about the terrible
harm and death Kony has brought to
children and adults.
• It is also a fact that his power and
effectiveness have been greatly reduced.
• The Ugandan army has reduced threat to
northwest Ugandan for the most part.
• Many Ugandans are raising objections to this
Western media blitz and campaign.

16. Concluding Facts and Questions
• Kony remains Number 1 on the International
Criminal Court’s (ICC) list of most wanted
for crimes against humanity.
• Compassion must be balanced with
experience and wisdom from those closest to
atrocities. Outside help can be counter-
productive, especially in the long run.
• It is a good thing when people’s sense of
justice is brought to bear on government
policy--sometimes beyond its immediate self-
interest.