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A Postitive Step towards Social Change
By Diana M. Galban
Six years after its creation in 2003, the non-profit organization Invisible Children has taken a huge leap towards the social change they’ve been striving for. With the passing of The Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, the people of Uganda will be able to experience relief from their 23 yearlong war – and our generation is here to help.
Founded by UCLA film students who traveled to Uganda, Invisible Children seeks to raise awareness of LRA leader Joseph Kony’s terror on Northern Uganda.
As a response to the corruption of the Govern of Uganda, Alice Lakwena created the Holy Spirit Movement after allegedly being told by the Holy Spirit to help her people. After Lakwena’s exile, Kony took over the movement and created the LRA. Due to the lack of support for Kony’s new plan, the number of followers lowered and kidnapping potential soldiers began.
For Jason Russell, Bobby Bailey and Laren Poole, what started as a trip to Africa turned into a mission and the creation of a documentary which would put their experience into perspective for those who watched it. Years after their trip, "Invisible Children: Rough Cut" has now been shown all over the country, inspiring viewers to join the cause and put an end to Kony’s actions.
A staple at concerts, IC has found great support in our generation. Paired with other altruistic organizations and well-known bands such as Thrice, mewithoutYou, Fall Out Boy and Circa Survive, the non-profit organization has structured gatherings like The Rescue (2009) and Displace Me (2007), gaining media attention and spreading awareness of the atrocities and war crimes by Kony and his army.
Invisible Children seeks to raise awareness of LRA leader Joseph Kony’s terror on Northern Uganda.
How It Ends, their latest effort to bring peace included two lobbying days (June 22-23, 2009) for Senate Bill 1067 or The LRA Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act, where Senator Russell D. Feingold presented.
Senator Feingold mentions that the "rebuilding of Northern Uganda’s institutions and addressing political and economic grievances is the surest safeguard against future violence and stability." This stability could be brought on by the Peace, Recovery, and Development Plan (PRDP) which the Government of Uganda has started with the help through funds of other nations. However, Senator Feingold includes there is a lack of structure in this plan, preventing its success.
The United States has been aware of the need for an intervention in Uganda and has taken part in the Northern Uganda Crisis Response Act in 2004, also branding the LRA as a terrorist organization in 2001. If the United States’ role in the issue continues, an end could be brought to the terrorism and doings of Kony.
Funding for a future strategy to end the war has been carefully budgeted, Senator Feingold points out that the US Air Force "has acknowledged that it currently has over $100 million of spare parts on order for which it has no need" and this money could be used to fund the process.
Progression is a word that can perfectly describe the story of Invisible Children. Every story has a conflict and a resolution; IC has brought attention to the issue and hopes the media will continue to help bringing interest to the situation in order to reach a resolution.
For a generation that has made ADHD and ADD as common as the cold, lack of focus on real issues is expected, but when we’re talking about a war that has been taking place for longer than our lifetime, maybe it’s time to pay attention.
To watch the IC documentary visit www.invisiblechildren.com
For more information visit www.resolveuganda.org