DRAPAC Fellowship Reflection: Open Tech Camp involvement

Planted August 27, 2025

Digital Rights Advocacy: My Journey Through DRAPAC Open Tech Camp 2025

You know how sometimes you get an email that just changes the trajectory of your week, or even your year? Well, for me, that was the notification confirming my DRAPAC Open Tech Camp fellowship. As someone who lives and breathes internet governance and digital policy, I knew this wasn’t just another conference; it was a deep dive, a chance to really get my hands dirty with digital rights advocacy. And trust me, it did not disappoint!

Why DRAPAC? And Why Digital Rights?

Before I jump into the whirlwind, a quick primer: DRAPAC, or the Digital Rights and Protection Advocacy Camp, is this incredible initiative that’s all about nurturing the next generation of digital rights champions in the Asia-Pacific. Think of it as a gathering of passionate minds – students, activists, researchers – all buzzing with ideas on how to make our digital world a fairer, safer place.

And why does any of this even matter? Because our lives are so intertwined with the digital now, right? We’re talking about everything from keeping our personal data private, to making sure we can speak freely online, to staying safe from cyber threats, to ensuring everyone, everywhere, has equal access. It’s a huge landscape, and DRAPAC promised to arm me with the knowledge and connections to navigate it.

Special Connections and Memorable Moments

One of the most cherished aspects of my DRAPAC experience was the wonderful companionship of Jasmine Ko and especially Nawal Munir. Their presence made every moment more meaningful, whether we were engaged in conference sessions or exploring the city together during our sightseeing adventures. Their friendship, insights, and support throughout the conference created memories that I’ll treasure forever. Having such amazing companions truly enhanced both the learning experience and the joy of discovering new places together.

My DRAPAC Adventure: Where Learning Met Liberation

From the moment I stepped into DRAPAC25, the energy was just electric. EngageMedia’s LinkedIn post called it a “bang,” and honestly, that’s exactly what it felt like. Hundreds of human rights defenders, all under one roof, sharing stories and shaping the future. Being my very first official conference, I was just blown away by the diversity of thought and the collective commitment to making a difference.

One thing that genuinely struck me – and it’s a detail I won’t soon forget – was the thoughtful approach to privacy within the conference itself. Can you believe it? This was the first conference I’d ever attended where participants actively had a choice about whether their images could be taken. Some sessions were even explicitly marked “no photos allowed,” which created such a safe space for truly sensitive discussions. Other times, the focus was so intently on the speakers and their insights that slides weren’t even really encouraged – it was all about listening, engaging, and being present. This commitment to digital well-being, right there in the conference halls, perfectly mirrored the very principles we were all there to champion.

The plenaries were, at times, a stark wake-up call. Hearing about how in Malaysia, the word “right” often just disappears from legal documents, or the chilling reality of activists being doxxed in Thailand, felt heavy. The pervasive issue of deepfakes targeting women, and even governments covertly funding groups to harm activism – sometimes physically – painted a pretty grim picture. But then, a glimmer of hope: seeing how young people are brilliantly using platforms like TikTok, social media, and even Roblox to push for change. And it really highlighted the importance of bridging that generational gap – the youth have the platforms, but the older activists have invaluable wisdom.

The “Feminist Helplines for Online Gender-Based Violence (OGBV) Survivors” workshop was incredibly moving and eye-opening. We dove deep into the complexities of setting up helplines, especially for marginalized communities – people with disabilities, those in rural areas. It’s not just about setting up a phone line; it’s about regional languages, audio-visual support, data security, and tackling the huge stigma survivors face. Connecting with organizations like DRF Pakistan, and hearing about their collaborations with tech giants like Meta, showed how crucial these networks are.

Then came the mind-bending sessions on “Neurotech, Surveillance, and the Future of Sovereignty” and “Dead Data: Who Owns Our Digital Remains?” Seriously, these sessions were like something out of a sci-fi novel, but it’s happening now. The idea that our very thoughts could become data, and that our digital echoes could be monetized after we’re gone – it brings up such profound ethical questions. My friend’s LinkedIn post perfectly captured the feeling, asking: “What kind of digital future do we truly want? Are we ready to shape it ourselves, or will we simply accept the one handed to us?” It really drove home the urgency of protecting cognitive liberty and posthumous privacy.

And the “Decoding Global AI Indexes” panel gave a much-needed critical perspective. It’s easy to just look at rankings, but they often overlook the unique cultural and economic realities of developing nations, perpetuating a “tech elite” narrative.

My Moment in the Spotlight: Prototyping a Post-Platform Internet

As a fellow, I actually got to wear two hats – I was also a session organizer! My workshop, nestled within the Open Tech Camp side event, was called “Imagining the Post-Platform Internet: Building a Federated, Community-Governed Digital Ecosystem.” And let me tell you, it was such an exhilarating experience.

The Open Tech Camp itself was fantastic – a true “unconference” where we built the agenda together. My 60-minute workshop was all about dreaming up and actually prototyping alternatives to the centralized power of Big Tech. We kicked things off by exploring the Fediverse – platforms like Mastodon, PeerTube, Pixelfed – and understanding their open-source, privacy-first, community-governed models. It’s truly inspiring to see these real-world alternatives already flourishing. We also looked at Bluesky’s AT protocol as a fascinating case study in building interoperable, customizable, and decentralized social networks.

The core of the session was the collaborative prototyping. Developers, activists, researchers – everyone got into small groups, grabbing sticky notes and flipcharts, brainstorming new tools and frameworks. We talked about leveraging ActivityPub and Solid pods, and how platform co-op structures could genuinely empower digital self-determination. The room was buzzing with ideas, people sketching out their visions for a more equitable online world.

We wrapped up by mapping out actionable steps. How could local communities, tech co-ops, or policy advocates actually pilot these ideas? We discussed feasibility, governance, sustainability, and crucially, how to adapt them to regional contexts. It wasn’t just theoretical; it was about building a roadmap. It was incredibly rewarding to see that collective energy directed not just at critiquing the status quo, but at actively constructing a better one.

Beyond the Conference: My Malaysian Snapshot

Of course, it wasn’t all intense discussions and future-gazing! The exploration of Kuala Lumpur with friends made for unforgettable memories. We ventured to the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, where we were mesmerized by the stunning light show that transformed the architectural marvel into a canvas of dancing lights against the night sky.

One particularly memorable day, Nawal and I headed to the Kuala Lumpur city center for a shopping adventure. We loaded up on chocolates and carefully picked out souvenirs for friends back home, each item carrying a piece of Malaysia’s charm. The highlight of our culinary journey was when we visited Bukit Bintang, where we treated ourselves to authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at Damascus Restaurant - an absolutely awesome dining experience that left us craving for more.

Our urban exploration took us through the city’s streets, where we found ourselves constantly looking up at the impressive skyline, spotting various towering skyscrapers that define Kuala Lumpur’s modern identity. The food was just incredible too – from nasi lemak to mee siam for breakfast, every meal was a delightful discovery.

On our final day, we couldn’t leave without visiting the magnificent Batu Caves. The colorful steps leading up to the limestone caves, combined with the spiritual atmosphere and resident monkeys, provided the perfect closing to our Malaysian adventure. The warmth of the Malaysian people and the rich cultural tapestry made every moment outside the conference equally enriching, whether we were wandering through local markets, savoring street food, or just letting ourselves get lost in the city’s unique charm.

Final Thoughts: The Journey Continues

DRAPAC25 was so much more than a conference; it was a rallying cry, a forge for new connections, and a profound learning experience. The conversations, especially those pushing the boundaries into neurotechnology and our digital afterlife, really hammered home the need for us to be proactive, not just reactive.

My friend’s question still echoes: “Are we ready to shape it ourselves, or will we simply accept the one handed to us?” Leaving DRAPAC, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. The fight for digital rights is a marathon, not a sprint, and it demands constant vigilance, collaboration, and a willingness to build. My fellowship, particularly my role in guiding those conversations towards concrete ideas for a post-platform internet, has only strengthened my resolve to contribute to a digital future where technology truly empowers, protects, and serves everyone. This isn’t just about code or policy; it’s about human dignity in a rapidly changing digital age.