DRAPAC24 Public Report: Welcome to a Movement

Digital Rights in the Asia-Pacific 2024 or DRAPAC24 aimed to foster resilience and solidarity within the digital rights community. This year’s event gathered over 287 changemakers from 150 organizations in Taipei, Taiwan for two days of conversations centered on three broad themes: regional solution-making, empowerment of young persons, and adoption of open technology.

The DRAPAC Assembly traces its roots to the Coconet camps organised in the Philippines and Indonesia, and it has now evolved into a space for collective solution-making and alliance-building within the broader Asia-Pacific community. Its inaugural edition held last May 2023 in Chiang Mai, Thailand gathered a wide range of stakeholders – from activists and technologists to artists and journalists – for five days of workshops, panels, art exhibits, film screenings, and networking sessions.

Building on the success and lessons from DRAPAC23, this year’s event featured a more focused but diverse mix of sessions. DRAPAC24 platformed new voices, highlighted novel and community-led approaches to addressing digital rights challenges, and provided spaces for engagement and collaboration. Through DRAPAC, Asia-Pacific civil society can come together to advance the digital rights movement and forge a unified response to shared challenges in the region.

DRAPAC24 in Photos: Moments that Matter

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DRAPAC24 in Numbers: Inclusive Participation and Diverse Representation

287 attendees*

Gender

Region

Age Group

* The breakdowns above constitute the number of attendees who registered and attended the DRAPAC24 in person. They do not include those who joined remotely via live streaming or video conferencing.

Reflections from Changemakers

Shoeb Abdullah, a digital rights activist from Bangladesh, is a repeat participant of DRAPAC, having attended its first edition in Chiang Mai last year. As a newcomer to the digital rights field then, he was eager to learn as much as he could from his peers and veterans in the space; he attended as many sessions as possible, learned about the work of other organisations, and shared experiences with others. When he returned, he brought back with him not just insights but new friends who helped advocate for a democratic digital future in Bangladesh.

At DRAPAC24, he said that he felt more confident sharing his insights and learning from his peers on a regional platform.

“The way the [EngageMedia] team have supported us, I feel like a part of them. Maybe this is how communities are built! Solidarity!”

For Nabilla Utami Dhiya Rahmani, events like DRAPAC are an opportunity to share best practices in advocacy among the digital rights community – like using video games to make digital rights issues accessible to a wider audience.

As a communications professional in the non-government sector, she understands the challenge of staying relevant to new audiences, especially young people whose attentions are captured by innovative approaches. CSOs, she says, need to think outside the box to ensure their messages truly resonate with their audiences.

At DRAPAC24, one session in particular caught her interest: the video game workshop where participants were invited to play games related to issues like disinformation, online gender-based violence, and internet shutdowns.

“It struck me how innovative tools like games can bridge the gap between difficult topics and younger generations. This approach could be the key to making our work more accessible, engaging, and impactful,” she shared.

Rowella Marri Berizo and Ayel del Valle from the Philippines share their appreciation for spaces to encourage youth engagement in digital rights discourses.

“The Asia Pacific is home to some of the most vibrant youth-led social movements and I hope future organizers can find ways to be more intentional about involving young people meaningfully. Rather than turning them into mini-adults, we should be highlighting the unique ingenuity that distinguishes Gen Zs from more senior decision-makers,” Ayel said.

For Rowella, the importance of genuine youth engagement in digital rights and internet governance discourse cannot be overstated, noting that young people have a critical role in shaping online ecosystems. “While Big Tech such as TikTok and Meta offer the infrastructure, it is young people who are consistently determining how we understand and use social media. To more youth-led digital rights initiatives! To more young people in “adult tables”! We have to dismantle the understanding that young people are immature and incapable of meaningfully contributing to spaces where they are underrepresented.”

For Afifah Fitriyani, a student at Indonesia’s Jentera Law School, her experience as a DRAPAC24 fellow has not only been a journey of professional growth, but a personal transformation.

She attended DRAPAC24 to share how the youth play a critical role in spurring positive social change in their communities and learned from the work of youth movements in other countries grappling with the same digital rights challenges in Indonesia. This experience motivated her to encourage more youth participation in critical discourses and safeguarding democracy.

Beyond her professional learnings, Afifah shared how she also grew as a person through her participation in DRAPAC24.

“Being able to create a podcast and speak at events were things I once thought were out of reach. Not long ago, I struggled with self-doubt and a lack of confidence. But through this fellowship, I’ve been able to rediscover my belief in myself. The support, patience, and encouragement from each of you have been nothing short of life-changing,” she said.

Our partners and participants share their DRAPAC24 experiences in these articles:

The Foundation for Media Alternatives talks about their attendance in sessions tackling digital security, gendered disinformation, and privacy, and how spaces like DRAPAC24 and APrIGF contribute to expanding the digital rights movement in the Asia-Pacific.
Media Matters for Democracy writes about showcasing its collaborative digital investigation tool “Facter” and how the initiative has supported newsrooms in countering mis-and-disinformation across Pakistan.
DRAPAC24 fellow Robi Kate Miranda from the Philippines shares her insights and key takeaways from attending sessions at DRAPAC24 and APrIGF.
Check out key highlights from the event in this series of live tweets from DRAPAC24 fellow Prarthana Mitra.

I believe it’s time to acknowledge how [DRAPAC] has shaped my activism, goals, and commitment to fighting for justice … The way the [EngageMedia] team have supported us, I feel like a part of them. Maybe this is how communities are built! Solidarity!

– Shoeb Abdullah, Co-founder, Activate Rights

It struck me how innovative tools like games can bridge the gap between difficult topics and younger generations. This approach could be the key to making our work more accessible, engaging, and impactful.

– Nabilla Utami Dhiya Rahmani, Head of Communications, UNDP Indonesia

The Asia Pacific is home to some of the most vibrant youth-led social movements and I hope future organizers can find ways to be more intentional about involving young people meaningfully. Rather than turning them into mini-adults, we should be highlighting the unique ingenuity that distinguishes Gen Zs from more senior decision-makers.

– Ayel de Valle, Amnesty International

While Big Tech such as TikTok and Meta offer the infrastructure, it is young people who are consistently determining how we understand and use social media. To more youth-led digital rights initiatives! To more young people in “adult tables”! We have to dismantle the understanding that young people are immature and incapable of meaningfully contributing to spaces where they are underrepresented.

– Rowella Marri Berizo, Amnesty International

Being able to create a podcast and speak at events were things I once thought were out of reach. Not long ago, I struggled with self-doubt and a lack of confidence. But through this fellowship, I’ve been able to rediscover my belief in myself. The support, patience, and encouragement from each of you have been nothing short of life-changing.

— Afifah Fitriyani, Student, Jentera Law School

93%

of respondents rated DRAPAC24 as either “excellent” or “very good”

97%

of respondents would recommend DRAPAC24 to their professional network

98%

of respondents would join events similar to DRAPAC24 in the future

The Ripple Effect: Survey Insights

Themes of Participant Experience

Balance of Content and Timing

Most participants felt the event was well-organised. One participant highlighted, “Timing and content were well balanced. I am really excited for the next event like this.”

However, there were some concerns that sessions occasionally ran long due to high engagement, which shows the need for better time management in future events.

Relevance and Diversity of Topics

Participants praised the event for covering a wide range of relevant topics, allowing attendees to find sessions that aligned with their work. For example, one participant noted, “Most of the sessions presented were relevant to my area of work, so we will pursue communication with some participants.” Another mentioned the sessions on gender and AI as highly relevant.

However, the variety also left some wanting to access sessions they couldn’t attend, with a suggestion to provide recordings: “Accessing the audio sessions would be nice.”

Safety, Security, and Inclusivity

A key strength of the event was the creation of a safe and inclusive environment. Participants appreciated the organisers’ efforts to ensure security, particularly for those at risk.

One participant mentioned, “The organisers respected and considered the safety and security of participants, especially for those at risk.” Another praised the pre-event session on creating a welcoming space for everyone, which helped set the tone for inclusivity.

Areas of New Knowledge and Insights

Research and Advocacy

Issues Addressed: Participants found it valuable to learn about specific research and advocacy issues, particularly government interventions during protests, the accountability of tech companies, and youth digital advocacy strategies.

Human Rights and Tech: Insights into Human Rights Due Diligence, internet shutdowns, and gender-based disinformation were highlighted.

Regional Perspectives: Similarities between digital rights issues in Taiwan and other regions, along with how shrinking civic spaces are affecting advocacy efforts across Asia, were valuable to many.

Digital Security and Technology

Security Audits: Several participants gained insights into digital security audits and the influence of tech in elections and activism.

Tools and Frameworks: Learning about open technology, AI governance, SAFETAG, and the Digital Silk Road gave participants new strategies for addressing digital rights issues.

Games and Interactive Sessions: The use of games to facilitate digital security conversations was well-received. For example, the “Internet Shutdown Game” offered practical engagement.

Youth Participation and Creative Resistance

Youth Engagement: Participants noted the significance of youth participation, with many drawing inspiration from sessions focused on “Creative Resistance” and how the youth is utilizing technology to drive activism.

Intersectionality and Gen Z: The intersection between trends, Gen Z language, and digital rights advocacy was also a major area of interest.

Learning Across Regions

Transnational Solidarity: Many found it valuable to meet and network with activists from various regions, observing shared digital rights challenges and the importance of transnational solidarity.

Good Practices: The opportunity to discuss strategies for addressing digital rights challenges, including internet shutdowns and surveillance, provided actionable insights for participants.

Inclusivity and Marginalised Groups

AI and Indigenous Communities: The importance of making AI governance inclusive for indigenous peoples and marginalised groups was emphasised. Participants appreciated the focus on ensuring that community voices are heard in tech development.

Co-Creation with Communities: Co-creation with marginalised communities in the digital space was seen as critical for building an inclusive digital world.

Venue, Logistics, and Accessibility

Participants appreciated the smooth logistics, the proactive staff, and the accessibility of information via the event website. One participant said, “The website for agenda and information was very helpful and well prepared.”

However, some raised concerns about the venue being too small and the challenges of navigating the event location, particularly for first-timers from Indonesia, who felt the experience was challenging due to a lack of guidance.

Several participants noted that the event felt a bit rushed. For example, “I feel that there are times when the event was too rushed (time-wise),” which made it difficult to network more fully.

Networking Opportunities and Constraints

The event facilitated valuable networking, with participants connecting across regions and sectors. For instance, a Bangladeshi attendee shared, “This will help me know the regional issues from a first-hand perspective,” while a Filipino participant mentioned, “The event opened so many potential opportunities for me as I aim to establish a youth-led digital rights org.”

However, some found the corridor and hall areas too narrow for effective networking.

The event offered participants rich opportunities to learn and collaborate. “It was impactful, engaging, and great to hear from other CSOs and activists working on digital rights in APAC,” shared one participant.

The space for collaboration was a recurring theme, with many participants expressing that they made valuable connections for future partnerships.

However, some participants wished for more time to deepen these connections, as networking felt rushed due to tight session schedules.

Looking Ahead: Be Part of the Movement

What’s next for DRAPAC? How do you get involved? We are in the midst of planning for DRAPAC25, and we welcome opportunities to collaborate on hosting national- and regional-level events on digital rights issues. Partner with us on DRAPAC activities.

Are you a human rights defender in need of secure communication tools? As a pilot initiative with RSF and eQualitie, EngageMedia is distributing Outline access keys to human rights defenders across the Asia-Pacific. The VPN project is part of EngageMedia’s Human Rights Tech initiative, which focuses on equipping Asia-Pacific human rights defenders with digital security and online safety tools through resource aggregation and knowledge sharing. Request access to DRAPAC VPN.

While waiting for DRAPAC25, join us in our regular DRAPAC Series sessions, which aim to generate and sustain conversations about the challenges and opportunities for the region with regards to human and digital rights in the networked society.

Want to stay updated on the latest news on DRAPAC? Subscribe to the EngageMedia newsletter to get regular updates around DRAPAC and our organisation’s work on digital rights, open and secure technology, and video for change.