WEXFO 2025

2-3 June 2025

Lillehammer, Norway

The global free speech recession: How to fight it?

Troubling signs are emerging: Democracies are backsliding, conflicts are intensifying hate speech and misinformation, and artificial intelligence (AI) presents both opportunities and threats to free speech.

Navigating the pressures: Protecting artistic freedom in a complex landscape

Artists often find themselves balancing the realms of art and activism. The assertion of personal or emerging collective narratives challenges conventional viewpoints. Artists encounter pressures from authorities imposing restrictions and persecution, as well as societal forces. How can they maintain their mental resilience amidst external pressures? What legal frameworks and actual protection mechanisms exist to safeguard artistic expression?

Empowering young voices: Removing barriers to free expression

Young people report facing significant barriers to freedom of expression, such as cancel culture, online bullying, censorship, marginalization, and economic insecurity. The WEXFO Youth community has provided key recommendations to address these challenges and enhance freedom of expression for youth.

Democracy in decline: 2024’s troubling trends

The state of global democracy and freedom of expression is taking a concerning turn, according to the latest report from the V-Dem Institute presented at WEXFO 2024.

Democracy is built on reading skills

From a global perspective, the democratic progress achieved over the last 35 years has now disappeared. At the same time, reading skills have declined. Reading is democracy’s and freedom’s most important weapon.

New conference concept: WEXFO Take Action

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) has announced a transformation of its youth engagement conference. The previous WEXFO Youth Network Conference, first held in May 2023, has been rebranded as WEXFO Take Action to better reflect the conference’s evolving focus and attract a broader audience.

Meet our new program committee

Led by Veslemøy Hedvig Østrem, a highly experienced and skilled group will work on curating engaging and relevant topics and speakers for WEXFO 2025 (2-3 June in Lillehammer, Norway).

12 MNOK to WEXFO from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB

Sparebankstiftelsen DNB has announced that the foundation will provide 12 million NOK in support for WEXFO Youth from 2025 to 2028.

Record participation at WEXFO 2024

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with over 1800 participants engaged in the various events which took place in Lillehammer 26-29 May.

NRK presenters to lead the World Expression Forum 2024

When advocates for freedom of expression from around the world gather in Lillehammer on May 27-28, personalities Sigrid Sollund and Espen Aas from NRK (Norwegian Braodcasting Corporation) will open and lead the discussions.

Public meeting in Lillehammer for freedom of expression

On 28 May, the Norwegian Festival of Literature and the World Expression Forum, in collaboration with Musikk i Innlandet (Music in Innlandet) and the Lillehammer-based newspaper GD, invite to a public meeting for freedom of expression.

The upcoming WEXFO 2024 featured in reputable Publishing Perspectives

Leading online business magazine for the global book industry, Publishing Perspectives, highlights the third annual iteration of World Expression Forum and the conference’s programming segment focused on book publishing.

Global defenders of freedom of expression and over a thousand young people gather in Lillehammer for the World Expression Forum 2024

Experts and activists from 24 different countries will assemble in Lillehammer 27-28 May to illuminate and promote freedom of speech and democracy, alongside more than a thousand young participants.

Charlie Hebdo editor participates in World Expression Forum 2024

Editor-in-chief Gérard Biard of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was targeted in a terrorist attack in 2015, will be attending the freedom of expression conference in Lillehammer in May.

High-profile speakers ready for WEXFO 2024

World Expression Forum is pleased to announce over 20 of the speakers at our conference in Lillehammer 27-28 May. Several are among the most sought-after experts in their respective fields.

Meet our new program committee

Led by Veslemøy Hedvig Østrem, a highly experienced and skilled group will work on curating engaging and relevant topics and speakers for WEXFO 2025 (2-3 June in Lillehammer, Norway).

12 MNOK to WEXFO from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB

Sparebankstiftelsen DNB has announced that the foundation will provide 12 million NOK in support for WEXFO Youth from 2025 to 2028.

Record participation at WEXFO 2024

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with over 1800 participants engaged in the various events which took place in Lillehammer 26-29 May.

NRK presenters to lead the World Expression Forum 2024

When advocates for freedom of expression from around the world gather in Lillehammer on May 27-28, personalities Sigrid Sollund and Espen Aas from NRK (Norwegian Braodcasting Corporation) will open and lead the discussions.

Public meeting in Lillehammer for freedom of expression

On 28 May, the Norwegian Festival of Literature and the World Expression Forum, in collaboration with Musikk i Innlandet (Music in Innlandet) and the Lillehammer-based newspaper GD, invite to a public meeting for freedom of expression.

The upcoming WEXFO 2024 featured in reputable Publishing Perspectives

Leading online business magazine for the global book industry, Publishing Perspectives, highlights the third annual iteration of World Expression Forum and the conference’s programming segment focused on book publishing.

Global defenders of freedom of expression and over a thousand young people gather in Lillehammer for the World Expression Forum 2024

Experts and activists from 24 different countries will assemble in Lillehammer 27-28 May to illuminate and promote freedom of speech and democracy, alongside more than a thousand young participants.

Charlie Hebdo editor participates in World Expression Forum 2024

Editor-in-chief Gérard Biard of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was targeted in a terrorist attack in 2015, will be attending the freedom of expression conference in Lillehammer in May.

High-profile speakers ready for WEXFO 2024

World Expression Forum is pleased to announce over 20 of the speakers at our conference in Lillehammer 27-28 May. Several are among the most sought-after experts in their respective fields.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi’s family contributes to WEXFO 2024

The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi’s husband is coming to World Expression Forum in Lillehammer in May with their children Kiana and Ali Rahmani.

12 MNOK to WEXFO from Sparebankstiftelsen DNB

Sparebankstiftelsen DNB has announced that the foundation will provide 12 million NOK in support for WEXFO Youth from 2025 to 2028.

Record participation at WEXFO 2024

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) witnessed an unprecedented turnout, with over 1800 participants engaged in the various events which took place in Lillehammer 26-29 May.

NRK presenters to lead the World Expression Forum 2024

When advocates for freedom of expression from around the world gather in Lillehammer on May 27-28, personalities Sigrid Sollund and Espen Aas from NRK (Norwegian Braodcasting Corporation) will open and lead the discussions.

Public meeting in Lillehammer for freedom of expression

On 28 May, the Norwegian Festival of Literature and the World Expression Forum, in collaboration with Musikk i Innlandet (Music in Innlandet) and the Lillehammer-based newspaper GD, invite to a public meeting for freedom of expression.

The upcoming WEXFO 2024 featured in reputable Publishing Perspectives

Leading online business magazine for the global book industry, Publishing Perspectives, highlights the third annual iteration of World Expression Forum and the conference’s programming segment focused on book publishing.

Global defenders of freedom of expression and over a thousand young people gather in Lillehammer for the World Expression Forum 2024

Experts and activists from 24 different countries will assemble in Lillehammer 27-28 May to illuminate and promote freedom of speech and democracy, alongside more than a thousand young participants.

Charlie Hebdo editor participates in World Expression Forum 2024

Editor-in-chief Gérard Biard of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, which was targeted in a terrorist attack in 2015, will be attending the freedom of expression conference in Lillehammer in May.

High-profile speakers ready for WEXFO 2024

World Expression Forum is pleased to announce over 20 of the speakers at our conference in Lillehammer 27-28 May. Several are among the most sought-after experts in their respective fields.

Nobel Peace Prize Winner Narges Mohammadi’s family contributes to WEXFO 2024

The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize winner Narges Mohammadi’s husband is coming to World Expression Forum in Lillehammer in May with their children Kiana and Ali Rahmani.

New WEXFO Youth project with Nansen Academy

WEXFO Nansen Academy Dialogue Seminar will focus on dialogue as a tool in conflict situations and aims to make participants even more equipped in their own work. Our experience is that by using dialogue as a method and establishing safe spaces for expression, more people will dare to express themselves, even on difficult topics. This is especially useful in situations that are perceived as locked.

“A gathering of champions of human rights and solidarity”

Irene Kahn
UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion

Upcoming events

WEXFO 2025

Lillehammer, Norway

2-3 June 2025

WEXFO UTØYA YOUNG EXPERTS

Utøya and Lillehammer, Norway

31 May-4 June 2025

WEXFO MORE YOUNG VOICES

Lillehammer, Norway

1-6 June 2025

WEXFO YOUTH VOICES

Lillehammer, Norway

2-3 June 2025

WEXFO TAKE ACTION!

Lillehammer, Norway

4 June 2025

Vision: World Expression Forum will empower and defend the freedom of expression as an absolute precondition for democracy and human progress.

Mission: World Expression Forum unites defenders of freedom of expression in a strong and active global community. As a catalyst for change, we aspire to give new generations the power, freedom, and safety to express themselves.

Who are we(xfo)?

“To me, freedom of expression means the right to self-expression on your own terms” – WEXFO board member Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor

Our shareholders

Advokatfirmaet Thallaug, Aller, Alrow Media ApS, Amedia, ARK, Aschehoug, Association of American Publishers (AAP), Associazione Italiana Editori (AIE), Bokhandlerforeningen, Bonnier Books, Bonnier forlag, Börsenverein, Brazilian Book Chamber, Cappelen Damm, Childpress, Civita, Creo, C.H Beck Verlag, De norske bokklubbene, Den norske forleggerforening, Egmont, Eum Publishing House, European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), Fagpressen, FEP – Federation of European Publishers, Filmforbundet, Finnish Publishers Association, Forbundet frie fotografer, Forfatterforbundet, Forlagshuset Vest, Forlagsfinans, Groep Algemene Uitgevers (GAU), Grafill, Gudbrandsdølen Dagningen, Gyldendal, Hamar Arbeiderblad, Human Rights Foundation, International Publishers Association, Kagge, Lillehammer kommune, Lillehammer kultur, Mediebedriftenes landsforening, Mimeta, Must, Nansenskolen, NOPA, Norli, Norsk bibliotekforening, Norske dramatikeres forbund, Norsk faglitterær forfatter- og oversetterforening, Norsk Litteraturfestival, Norsk musikkråd, Norsk PEN, Norsk presseforbund, Norsk skuespillerforbund, Norsk teater- og orkesterforening, Norstedts, Norwegian Helsinki Committee, NTB, Odd Øie, Piratförlaget, Polaris Media, Publishers Association UK, Riksmålsforbundet, Sahoipyoung, Samlaget, Schibsted News Media, Stiftelsen Lillehammer museum, Stiftelsen Tinius, Svenska Förläggareföreningen, Syndicat national de l'édition, Tidningsutgivarna, Torleif Dahls kulturbibliotek, TV 2, TV 2 Skole, Vigmostad og Bjørke, WAN-IFRA

We invite you to subscribe to shares in WEXFO (you are welcome to buy more than one!)

Please contact kristenn@wexfo.no if you want to buy share(s), or for any further information.

We all carry a responsibility to make sure that the right to freedom of expression is upheld. Freedom of expression comes with both rights and responsibilities. This is a constant investment in the democratic fabric of our societies.

Laila Bokhari, academic, diplomat, politician

Lillehammer – our conference city

WEXFO takes place annually in Lillehammer, Norway, in May/June. Norway is one of the countries in the world with the highest degree of freedom of expression, according to Freedom of expression index (Our World in Data). Lillehammer is a UNESCO City of Literature, an ICORN city of refuge for artists at risk, and is the host of the biggest literature festival in Scandinavia. Both the city, the region (Innlandet) and Norway as a country are committed to supporting freedom of expression around the world.