Also, a response from IC to some of the criticism: http://s3.amazonaws.com/www.invisiblechildren.com/critiques.html Critiques Thank you for reading this and doing further research about Invisible Children and Kony 2012. In response to this explosion of interest about the Kony 2012 film, there have been hundreds of thousands of comments in support of the arrest of Joseph Kony and the work of Invisible Children. However, there have also been a few pieces written that are putting out false or mis-leading information about these efforts. This statement is our official response to some of these articles and is a source for accurate information about Invisible Children’s mission, financials and approach to stopping LRA violence. Invisible Children’s mission is to stop LRA violence and support the war affected communities in Central Africa. These are the three ways we achieve that mission. Each is essential: 1) Document and make the world aware of the LRA. This includes making documentary films and touring these films around the world so that they are seen for free by millions of people. 2) Channeling the energy and awareness from informed viewers of IC films into large scale advocacy campaigns that have mobilized the international community to stop the LRA and protect civilians. 3) Operate programs on the ground in the LRA-affected areas to provide protection, rehabilitation and development assistance. All of our organizational efforts and resources go to accomplishing those 3 goals. We have always split our energies and resources between international awareness & advocacy and programs on the ground. The allocation of our finances should be judged within that publicly-stated mission. Re: Financials Invisible Children’s financial statements are online for everyone to see. Financial statements from the last 5 years, including our 990, are available at www.invisiblechildren.com/financials. The organization spent 80.46% on our programs that further our three fold mission, 16.24% on administration and management costs and 3.22% on direct fundraising in FY2011. Invisible Children is independently audited every year and in full compliance with our 501 c 3 status. Below is a screen shot from pages 35 and 36 of the 2011 Invisible Children annual report that detail our total expenses for FY2011. An expense statement by class is the way non-profits present their expenses to the public because it’s the clearest way to show the purpose of different organizational expenses vs. a line item expense statement such as the one on Page 6 of our Audited Financial Report. For instance, in the “travel and transportation” expense line item on page 6 is a relatively ambiguous figure until all of the expenses in that line item are allocated to their “class” or function. The make up of the travel and transportation lines include domestic and international airfare, gas for national tours, vehicle maintenance for our touring vans, roadie and intern stipends, visa fees and vaccinations for travel in Central Africa. All of those specific expenses are then allocated to the function in which they support including awareness programs, media and film creation, fundraising, management and general, and Central Africa Programs, as represented in the data below. (screen shot at the link above) Re: Charity Navigator Rating Charity Navigator gives our Programs its highest rating of 4 stars. Our Accountability and Transparency score is currently at 2 stars due primarily to the single fact that Invisible Children does not have 5 independent voting members on our board of directors--we currently have 4. We are in the process of interviewing potential board members, and we will add an additional independent member this year in order to regain our 4-star rating by 2013. We have been independently audited by Considine and Considine, since the fiscal year end of June 30, 2006 and all of our audits have resulted in unqualified opinions on the audit reports. Re: Better Business Bureau (BBB) Participation in BBB's program is voluntary-- we are choosing to wait until we have expanded our Board of Directors, as some questions hinge on the size of our Board. The current Board is small in size and reflects Invisible Children’s grassroots foundation. Invisible Children has now reached a juncture of success that has astonished even its greatest supporters. While it is important to retain a presence on the Board that reflects Invisible Children's early beginnings, we also are working to realign the structure this year. The best researched paper supporting the policy position of the KONY 2012 campaign can be found here, drafted by Paul Ronan of Resolve: http://www.theresolve.org/peace-can-be--3 But here are a few quick responses to some of the most common questions we’re seeing online: Re: Ugandan government human rights record We do not defend any of the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Ugandan government or the Ugandan army (UPDF). None of the money donated through Invisible Children ever goes to the government of Uganda. Yet the only feasible and proper way to stop Kony and protect the civilians he targets is to coordinate efforts with regional governments. Re: Stopping Kony We are advocating for the arrest of Joseph Kony so that he can be tried by the International Criminal Court (ICC) as a precedent for future war criminals. The goal of Kony 2012 is for the world to unite to see him arrested and prosecuted for his crimes against humanity. Re: Why work with the UPDF if the LRA is no longer in northern Uganda The LRA left northern Uganda in 2006. The LRA is currently active in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, and South Sudan. Invisible Children’s mission is to stop Joseph Kony and the LRA wherever they are and help rehabilitate LRA-affected communities. The Ugandan government’s army, the UPDF, is more organized and better equipped than that of any of the other affected countries (DRC, South Sudan, CAR) to track down Joseph Kony. Part of the US strategy to stop Kony is to encourage cooperation between the governments and armies of the 4 LRA-affected countries. The LRA was active in Uganda for nearly 20 years, displacing 1.7 million people and abducting at least 30,000 children. The people and government of Uganda have a vested interested in seeing him stopped. Re: Programs on the Ground While the vast majority of the recent exposure and commentary about Invisible Children has been towards the awareness portion of our mission, below is an up-to-date explanation of our direct work in Central Africa, an equally important element to the mission of Invisible Children. Invisible Children’s Program in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan: Protecting communities and demobilizing the LRA HF Early Warning Radio Network: To address the lack of information from the most vulnerable and remote communities, Invisible Children partnered with Commission Diocesaine Justice et Paix (CDJP), under the umbrella of the Catholic Diocese of Dungu, to expand a High Frequency (HF) Radio Network connecting communities to one another through twice-daily security and humanitarian reporting. This network allows for advanced warning of LRA activity and increased security information for humanitarian responders. Communities participating in the project were selected due to their susceptibility to LRA attack and their lack of the communication infrastructure necessary to report and receive security information. A Local Protection Committee is established in each community to gather and disseminate information, provide regular maintenance to the equipment, and to ensure that trained operators in each community are carrying out the daily reporting, This project connects communities with local and international humanitarian groups, ultimately allowing for heightened humanitarian response, while limiting the LRA’s ability to attack without warning. Through Invisible Children’s support, there are now 27 communities linked into the HF Early Warning System in Haut and Bas Uele. FM Radio: To encourage and facilitate the surrender of LRA combatants, Invisible Children partnered with UN DDR/RR and Interactive Radio for Justice (IRfJ) to increase the capacity of Radio Zereda, a community-run FM radio in Obo, Central African Republic, from 1km to an over 30-km radius. Through locally produced radio programming, members the victims’ association in Obo and cultural leaders from LRA-affected regions share insight and sensitize local populations to the LRA’s activities. In conjunction with sensitization, LRA-directed programming is broadcast in both the local Pazande and Acholi languages to encourage and give instructions for peaceful surrender. In 2011, Invisible Children also provided support to repair Radio Rhinoceros in Faradje, and provided monetary support for a DDR/RR mobile FM unit deployed on rotation in Haut Uele. Additional community-FM projects in Haut Uele and in the highly remote and vulnerable district of Bas Uele are being identified and assessed for support during the 2012 calendar year. LRA Crisis Tracker: The LRA Crisis Tracker is a real-time mapping platform and data collection system created to bring an unprecedented level of transparency to the atrocities of the Lord’s Resistance Army. Using information sourced from Invisible Children’s Early Warning Radio Network, UN agencies, and local NGOs, this tool allows for better response from governments, policy-makers, and humanitarian organizations. This joint project, developed by Invisible Children and Resolve, marks the first time data surrounding the crisis has been comprehensively aggregated and made publicly available. Rehabilitation Center: As forceful abductions continue throughout Central Africa, Invisible Children is partnering with a renowned LRA-trauma specialist, Els de Temmerman, and the leadership of CDJP-Dungu, to establish the first intensive rehabilitation program in the LRA-affected regions of northeastern Congo. The center, located in Dungu, is locally managed and provides one-on-one counseling, utilizing UNICEF-approved Narrative Exposure Therapy (NET). The center provides vocational and life skills training and reunification services. Upon completion of the second phase of construction, the center will have capacity for up to 250 children and youth to live and receive holistic counseling services. Currently, a limited number of severely traumatized children are receiving treatment while the center builds staff capacity and develops systems in preparation for full operation. Program management will continue to coordinate with both local and international NGOs and UN agencies to ensure that the center’s activities are utilized by, and fit within, the regional psychosocial and protection strategies. Uganda: Promoting peace and prosperity through Education and Livelihood initiatives Legacy Scholarship Program (LSP): The scholarship provides fully paid, merit-based scholarships and mentoring from local full-time IC Mentors. Students are selected based on academic potential and need. Stats as of December 2011: University students: 250 Secondary students: 590 (currently recruiting additional students) Schools for Schools (S4S): This program partners with 11 secondary schools and their surrounding communities in northern Uganda, working on projects that both build and renovate structures, while also investing in teachers and curriculum. The program also facilitates a yearly Teacher Exchange Program benefiting both Ugandan and international educators. Stats as of December 2011: Partner schools: 11 Students attending partner schools: 9,048 Livelihood Program: The Livelihood Program takes a holistic approach to providing sustainable economic growth and improved living conditions for war-affected northern Ugandans. It impacts rural communities using a three-pronged approach: over 1,250 community members are saving and loaning together, participating in our Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) program; 5,000 community members are benefiting from clean water and health and sanitation initiatives through the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program; and over 1,000 people are receiving training on numeracy, reading, and writing in their local language as a part of our Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) program. Stats as of December 2011: WASH: over 5,000 (20 communities with an average of 250 community members) VSLA: 1,250 community members (50 groups of 25-30 members each) FAL: 1,000 community members (50 groups of 20-25 members each)
technically i have given around 25-30 dollars to invisible children, but that was mainly because thrice was donating half of the proceeds of vhiessu to IC. I really dont think that helped anyone other than people who wear knit caps. great song. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/UbAjxltPmuI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
This KONY 2012 movement is pure propaganda in my eyes. The media loves showing these certain images of African kids with flies in their ears, running around naked, and looking like they haven't had a meal to eat in a year. Africa is a beautiful and vast continent but notice how they RARELY show the other side of Africa. Kony has been doing this for 20+ years so why now is the general public so concerned about this? Something seems real fishy to me and I think Invisible Children has some sort of alter motives here. However, I love how in the video when the little white boy was asked to point out the enemy he pointed squarely at Kony. This type propaganda has a huge EFFECT on your subconscious mind. Painting 'Africans' as the enemy. Just how the general public labeled every middle eastern man wearing a turban as a terrorist. I am not gonna buy into this whole concept of Africans need America's help or the 'White Man's' hand in assistance and here they coming saving the day. Same way how we see all these celebrities going to Africa to adopt kids like their pets. I will also say that people need to look at where all these funds are going that are donated to Invisible Children. Dozens of these 'Non Profit' organizations use more like 20-30% of the money for the actual purpose it was designed for. So do you really think Invisible Children would do this whole campaign and not expect a nice hefty ROI? As far as America getting involved, Obama has already done enough by sending advisers to Uganda last year. THAT IS ENOUGH! With the amount of corruption in their Uganda's government thousands of US forces would have to intervene to totally turn it around. Not worth our time or money. America should learn to STAY out of something that is clearly not our business..
Ummm, probably because IC spent the last several years trying to get publicity for the problem. It's not an ulterior motive - it's their very publicly stated motive. Never mind that the other picture of an African was their good friend that they were trying to help. Yeah, trying to prevent children from being forced to become soldiers is a terrible thing for America to help with. It's not like the country has asked for our help or anything. Oh, wait... Yes, trying to stop mass genocide and child slavery is exactly like a celebrity adopting a kid. As posted just a few posts above your post, they detail out all their financials on their website. You're more than welcome to check it out - it seems like your criticism would be better founded if you did and found actual problems as opposed to just assuming it because you don't like organizations trying to help Africa. Except IC is not trying to turn Uganda around or save Africa. It's almost like you completely missed the point of the organization and the movie and went on some kind of bizarre tangent.
interesting stuff from all sides here - thanks for the posts on this. I truly think that IC has good intentions with what they're doing and wish them the best of luck. I know they're putting a large focus on Kony right now, but I think they're main focus is really the children. While talking to Rev. Sam Childers (the Machine Gun Preacher) a while back - he mentioned that while the big story is Joseph Kony and the LRA, the real problem is the Ugandan government. He says very little will change unless the corruption is gone and the Government makes changes to help the outlying villages. Last, my company sent three people on a mission trip to Uganda a month ago and they just got back on Saturday..here's what one of my coworkers had to say about this on her facebook page... Just putting this out there as I just came back from Northern Uganda. Invisible children is NOT a reputable organization! We talked to people there who had left the organization because funds were NOT going to help children. They produce beautiful films about a war that ended 5 years ago. They have no presence in N Uganda helping with child soldiers. Kony is now in Congo. If u want to help, checkout www.irenegleesonfoundation.com. This is an honest foundation TRULY helping children and the nation. Please research...let ur money really do something more than make a film... : (a couple of facebook comments later) ...And truly it is a beautiful video and the info is true. I interviewed many rescued child soldiers on my trip...Joseph Kony is sick and twisted...but seeing the banners Kony 2012...just grossed me out. He's getting the press...millions of dollars going to produce Kony 2012 merch and there are millions of children and lives he destroyed that dont have enough to eat or clean drinking water...why not major on helping with that and let God fight the justice battle...the children need us... thats her thoughts after being there for a month, so I have to take that into consideration too. Like I said earlier though, I think IC has good intentions, I just hope they keep their main concern on the children.
If all this does is get more people informed about Kony, then it served a purpose. I, along with other millions, have never heard of this guy that's been doing this for 20+ years. The sad part is he isn't the only guy we never heard of.
Agreed - I think the danger with an organization like this is that they have to continue to have a purpose. I think their biggest accomplishment was getting the US advisors in there. Now, it's a waiting game of trying to find him - but that's not very exciting for an organization, so they have to find other things to do. Then, if we do get Kony, what do they do next - they've spent the last several years singlemindedly focused on that mission. That's a challenge for any organization that achieves its original goals, and its something IC is hopefully going to have to deal with soon. Opinions on IC seem to be all over the map, even with people who've been to Uganda. As you mentioned, your coworker seems to think little of them. I have a friend who spent a year there and promotes their efforts all the time, so I assume she has seen something different. And whether they are being efficient with their money and whether this Kony 2012 will help achieve any of their their goals is totally unclear.
there are a lot of really ****** places in the world.... who knew? Not to go D&D, but I wonder what kind of video the government would release to drum up support for an invasion.
I wish the video were more about the boy Jacob than the filmmaker's son Gavin. I want to be like YOU, Dad!
a view from an International Relations major from Georgetown University School Of Foreign Service student http://securingrights.wordpress.com/2012/03/07/lets-talk-about-kony/
I'm flabbergasted at how it seems everyone on page two of this thread just went past the articles posted by "tellitlikeitis" on page 1 that brought up great points against IC's work and motives. Great info DFWRocket. Your co-worker basically confirmed what the articles posted by "tellitlikeitis" stated.
I'm sort of flabbergasted at how you apparently read the last two pages of this thread, which is entirely a discussion of the criticisms of IC (along with a direct response by IC), and decided that everyone must have just missed the criticisms on page 1.
Colour me even more flabbergasted at 1) How you deem one or two comments about where the funds are going or the result of such a campaign(which preceded your post about "the tons of criticism" for IC) to be "entirely a discussion of the criticisms of IC? 2) How you seem to get your knickers in a twist over just about every non-pro IC comment on here. Whatevs, carry on and do what you gotta do. I'll stay back and observe in my "African style".
When every single post in the thread is related to the merits or weaknesses of IC, I see that as a pretty significant discussion. I'm not sure exactly what you're seeing. Ah, I see. So what you really wanted was just for everyone to read the criticism and agree with it. Anything actually suggesting that there might be another perspective is getting "knickers in a twist" while supporting the criticism would be discussion. Gotcha. Yes, please continue to not contribute any substance to the discussion and then criticize everyone else for missing posts that they are, in fact, discussing.
I think this is a pretty good article, but I think it makes some mistakes. Their use of hyperbole ("The new video instructs its audience to put up posters, slap on stickers, and court celebrities' favor until Kony is "as famous as George Clooney." At that moment, sufficient awareness will have been achieved, and Kony will be magically shipped off to the International Criminal Court to await trial.") is silly. IC doesn't make that claim or attempt to suggest any such thing, and claiming so just hurts its own credibility. Also, the idea that Americans are aware already is proven wrong by how effective the campaign has been over the years in improving awareness. Several people in this thread alone said this video make them aware - so that claim is simply wrong. Where I do think it hits the mark is discussing whether awareness itself is an effective end goal, whether "do something" is actually a good thing or not, and whether it creates compassion fatigue. The last is important because putting energy into this issue takes away energy from other issues. But I don't think that's a flaw of IC - it's just an issue because they've been effective. No one would criticize an effective AIDS research campaign because it means less money might go to cancer research or some other cause. IC's goal is this one issue, and the criticism on that end seems to be that they are so effective at gaining attention that its taking attention away from other issues. It's a legitimate problem in the larger world of non-profits, but it's not really a negative of IC - their job isn't to be less effective so they don't take money/attention from other issues. I think the proper lesson is for those other issues to learn from IC's methods.
Calm down Nancy, jeez. 1. Of course every single post in this thread is related to either the merits or weaknesses of IC. If not then wouldn't the thread be off topic???? But hey, what do I know. 2. Nothing like inferring incorrectly. Great job though. Yes, all I want is for people to read the criticsm and agree with it as opposed to having a solid discourse on the pro's and con's of the video and movement. No mate, actually suggesting there might be another perspective is not getting one's knickers in a twist but rather the manner in which YOU are doing so. 3. It's apparently now your bloody thread since you decided to pick my post to respond to (despite it not including a mention or reference to you ) so a. You can keep arguing with me and moving away from the discussion a thread like this deserves or b. you can keep it moving and contribute more fabulous substantive points.
