Unlocking Transparency with Open Data Editor: Join Us at DRAPAC25 and Open Tech Camp Kuala Lumpur 2025

Data is power, but only when it’s accessible, clean, and usable. In a region where digital authoritarianism is on the rise, empowering civil society with practical data tools isn’t just helpful, it’s essential for protecting democratic values and human rights.

Why This Matters Now

The Digital Rights Asia-Pacific Assembly returns for its third edition on August 26 – 28, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, bringing together diverse stakeholders to combat rising digital authoritarianism through collaborative, rights-based digital governance. This year’s assembly focuses on bolstering the resilience of at-risk human rights defenders and pioneering innovative strategies through cross-sector alliances.

DRAPAC25 is jointly hosted by Architects of Diversity (AOD Malaysia), the Centre for Independent Journalism (CIJ), the Initiative to Promote Tolerance and Prevent Violence (INITIATE.MY), Sinar Project, and EngageMedia – a vibrant coalition that brings both local expertise and regional perspectives to the forefront of digital rights advocacy.

Join Our Open Data Editor Workshop

• When: August 28, 2025 | 11:00–11:50 AM (UTC+8)
• Where: Collab Space A, ASB Academic Building
• Event: Open Tech Camp Kuala Lumpur 2025

Are you attending DRAPAC25? Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how the right tools can transform your data advocacy work.

What You’ll Experience

This interactive co-learning workshop introduces the Open Data Editor (ODE), a free, open-source desktop application developed by Open Knowledge Foundation specifically for nonprofits, data journalists, activists, and public servants who need to clean, structure, and publish high-quality datasets without coding.

ODE addresses a critical gap in the advocacy toolkit. Built for people working with tabular data (Excel, Google Sheets, CSV) who may lack technical skills or access to expensive automation tools, its lightweight design, privacy-friendly architecture, and offline functionality make it perfect for the real-world challenges faced in low-resource settings across the Asia-Pacific.

Through live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and peer-to-peer exchanges, you’ll explore how ODE helps detect and resolve common data issues – formatting errors, inconsistent values, incomplete records – while supporting transparent governance and inclusive digital rights advocacy.

Who Should Attend

This session is designed for:

• Digital rights defenders working on transparency, access to information, and e-governance initiatives.
• Civic technologists building or deploying open data and digital rights tools.
• Community advocates seeking to use data for policy influence and accountability.

No technical background required. If you work with spreadsheets and care about making data more accessible, this workshop is for you.

Ready to Join Us?

Whether you’re a seasoned advocate or just beginning to explore how data can amplify your impact, this workshop offers practical tools and collaborative learning opportunities you won’t want to miss.

For complete details and the full schedule, visit the DRAPAC25 website where you’ll find both the main assembly schedule and the schedule for Open Tech Camp KL 2025.

See you in Kuala Lumpur – let’s unlock the power of open data together.