BINGHAMTON, NY – Binghamton University’s Center for Civic Engagement will host a community issues forum about non-profit organization Invisible Children’s “KONY 2012” campaign on Thursday, April 12. A screening of the film will begin at 7 p.m. in Lecture Hall 10, followed by a panel discussion with Binghamton University Professor William Martin of the sociology department, Professor Michael West from the sociology and Africana studies departments, and Professor Virginia Brown of the bioengineering and political science departments. This event is free and open to the public.

Over the last few weeks, Invisible Children's video campaign "Kony 2012" has become viral, stirring up much debate worldwide. The purpose of the video is to create awareness about Joseph Kony, infamously known as the world's worst war criminal, for his crimes against children in Uganda.



The scope of the community issues forum will be to go beyond the "Kony 2012" campaign by situating the video in its appropriate social, political and historical contexts. Discussion will include viewer responses of the video, ethicality issues of Invisible Children as a nonprofit organization and coverage of the campaign in the U.S. and internationally.



The forum's main objectives are to provide students, faculty, staff, and community members with an opportunity to openly discuss their views and to provide people with action steps beyond those proposed by Invisible Children.

Attendees will be provided with brochures proposing follow-up action to help former child soldiers and women in Uganda, as well as resource materials and information, that can be used for contacting relevant politicians.

The event is co-sponsored by Binghamton University’s Center for Civic Engagement, UNICEF @ BU, Sigma Alpha Lambda, the Indian International Student Union, the Office of International Programs, and B.L.A.C.K. Unity.

For more information, contact Ashley Kuenneke at akuenne1@binghamton.edu or (607) 355-5352.