Debate: Kony 2012 Campaign

Overview

The 30-minute Kony 2012 video had been viewed by 80 million+ people in just 10 days since it was uploaded to YouTube. It aimed to make Joseph Kony 'famous'. He is the leader of the brutal Lords Resistance Army (LRA) and indicted for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Being 'famous' is claimed would ensure the political will to capture him is maintained and increased.  

Yet just as quickly as the video spread, it (and the organisation behind it - Invisible Children) was fervently criticised as misleading, too late, neo-colonial, untrustworthy and many other criticisms.

As an online video, it broke with the 'best practice' of being 3-5 minutes, as a campaign communication it excelled as it had a clear theory of change, a deadline (urgency) and a clear call to action.  Yet both despite the criticism and because of it, the reaction to the video has been phenomenal:

• Millions more people now know who Joseph Kony and the LRA are 
• Some journalists and bloggers have called it a 'game changer' and the 'future of activism'
• Invisible Children have had to defend themselves against criticism and have done so quickly and with innovation, including taking questions via twitter and responding to the via video each day.
• Video screening were organised for Ugandans - and then cancelled due to the negative reaction 

The debate will challenge and provoke:

• campaigners if they need to rethink how they plan and run campaigns
• critics and supporters on the ethics and issues around the Kony 2012 campaign

Speakers

• Sameer Padania
• Karina Brisby, shiftLabs/Oxfam
• Mary Joyce, Meta-Activism Project
• Chaired by Ian Leggett, Campaign Consultant

Format

1. Each articulates their points in a 5-10 minute presentation (TED-style)
2. Opportunity to respond to others' points for 20 minutes
3. Audience question, answer, comment and debate

Video of Debate In Production