The Coconet community first came together at digital rights camps where they sought to understand the varying changes to their work brought about by technology. Co-convened by EngageMedia and the Association of Progressive Communications, the Coconet digital rights camps enhance the digital rights movement-building in the Asia-Pacific by providing changemakers in the region a space where they can network, share their experiences, and co-create solutions to address their collective challenges.
The camps build critical digital rights discourse and connect policy advocates and researchers to communications, film, art, media, and technology initiatives. Dedicated spaces for digital rights in the region foster strong relationships that catalyze the collaborations needed to strengthen the movement.
Coconet participants have ownership over the process through the camps’ open-space methodology and participatory nature. The camps also prioritise socialising and creativity as much as it does knowledge development, leading to long-term relationships and enthusiasm that propels the movement into the future.
As of 2020, two digital rights camps have taken place: Coconet I was held in 2017 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, and Coconet II in 2019 in Antipolo, Philippines.