Matrix Conference 2024

Empowering activists and human rights defenders with Matrix
2024-09-21 , LAB 3

Wonder how the Matrix Protocol can be leveraged to amplify the power of civil society movements and activists around the world, fighting for human rights, equality and action on the climate crisis?
Acter is a non-profit who together with global coalition including Amnesty, Greenpeace, Civicus and ActionAid are reimaging digital organizing, providing a mobile-first organzing app based on Matrix, focusing on secure effective organzing.
This session will highlight the problems that civil society is facing with the lack of critical digital infrastructure, why we need to move beyond chat as the only means for effecgive organzing as well a proposed solutions and insights from civil society movements.


Context: Civic space on a downward spiral.
In a world grappling with authoritarianism, climate crises, and violent conflicts, digital tools have emerged as vital infrastructure for civil society organizations. These tools empower movements to resist oppression and advocate for systemic change, addressing root causes.
However, there is a glaring gap in providing frontline activists with the necessary digital infrastructure. Authoritarian regimes are refining their tactics and leveraging technology to suppress dissent, leaving only 2% of the global population in fully free countries. As civic space shrinks, investing in robust digital infrastructure is crucial to enhance organizing capacity, foster effective coalitions, and protect activists on the ground.

Problem: The Failure of Current Tools for Civil Society
Despite the rapid growth of digital tools and services, few are tailored to the unique challenges faced by civil society movements. Traditional venture capital often prioritizes high returns, sidelining activists and grassroots movements lacking financial clout. Consequently, existing tools fall short in supporting the required level of organizing and ensuring the safety of at-risk activists. This infrastructure gap forces civil society organizations to rely on platforms ill-suited for their needs.

Why This Session Matters
Join us to explore how the Matrix Protocol can empower civil society movements and activists on the frontlines of democracy, human rights, and environmental protection. This session will highlight the critical digital infrastructure gaps facing civil society, explain why chat alone is insufficient for impactful organizing, and unveil innovative solutions with real-world insights from global movements. Be part of the conversation and learn how you can contribute to the change.

See also: Stories from some of the people we serve

In my role as the Director at Acter, a non-profit organization, I'm driven by the mission of providing critical digital infrastructure to support secure and effective organizing for frontline activists and movements. At the heart of Acter's mission is a commitment to creating a secure digital space for civil society, facilitating the coordination of collective action, fostering engagement, and expediting efforts in tackling global challenges, including the climate and biodiversity crisis, human rights, and issues of inequality.