Annual Global Gathering of Digital Rights Defenders
Every year we gather the global digital rights community for what is considered one of the largest, most diverse and inclusive gatherings in the world. It brings together over 1,000+ digital rights defenders from over 100+ countries who are fighting online surveillance and censorship, and protecting freedom of expression on the Internet.
Participants include activists, digital security trainers, FLOSS technologists, civil society reps, journalists, human rights advocates, among others.
The week long event, featuring over 200 workshops, sessions, social events, and trainings is made by the community designed and lead. The event is also recognized internationally for their pioneering tools and strategies used to create an inclusive, secure and positive environment that breeds collaboration across regional and discipline lines. As an example, their Code of Conduct is used by numerous events across the globe.
Quick Facts:
+ Over 60+ partners including civil society orgs, technology tools, grassroots networks and more!
+ 50% of participants identify as Women and GNC
+ 60% of participants identify as coming from Latin America, MENA, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Asia
The goals of the festival are:
Create community centered initiatives that breed collaboration solidarity and sharing between different groups that focus on privacy, security, and digital rights issues.
Elevate the voices of marginalized and underrepresented communities to ensure they are leading the important conversations and strategy, while shifting the culture of the Internet Freedom field.
Help build capacity in existing communities, and serve as an onboarding tool for new communities that are facing threats to their digital rights.
“This global gathering is invaluable for technologists whose work addresses privacy, security, and censorship. Technologists are connected directly with the global community of activists impacted by their work, sparking discussions, collaborations, and connections. Every year, our staffers come back from the event with new ideas and fresh passion for fighting for digital rights across the globe.”
“If you are working in the Internet Freedom space, this event should be in everyone’s to do list. Not just for the experience and knowledge you gain by interacting with digital rights defenders. It is more than that. You get to see how a organizes a gathering that driven by fellows, volunteers and a great team behind it. ”
““Unlike any other conference focusing on the fight against censorship and surveillance due to its spotlight on diversity of ethnicity, region, gender, and thought that’s represented. It is also probably one of the most inclusive and celebratory events in the space, raising up individuals and their various projects/disciplines. ”