WEXFO Annual Report 2025: A year of resistance and young engagement

WEXFO 2026 will be guided on stage by program committee chair Arizza Nocum and journalist Chetan Rastogi as the conference convenes in Lillehammer on 1–2 June under the theme “The Freedom to Disagree.”

World Expression Forum (WEXFO) announces award-winning documentary presenter Louis Theroux as speaker at this year’s global freedom of expression conference in Lillehammer June, 1-3.

The new V-Dem Democracy Report 2026, released today, paints a dark picture of the global state of democracy. For the average world citizen, democracy has regressed to 1978 levels – nearly wiping out the gains of the “third wave of democratization.”

Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Støre and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa will meet on stage for an in-depth conversation on the opening day of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO), taking place in Lillehammer from 1–3 June.

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) expresses its solidarity with award-winning human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir and reaffirms its commitment to protecting freedom of expression worldwide.

In a time when polarization threatens our sense of community, WEXFO’s 2026 theme highlights how disagreement and dialogue strengthen freedom of expression and contribute to democratic resilience.

In an era where information flows faster than ever, young people are navigating a complex landscape of truths, half-truths, and outright misinformation. This reality shapes not only their understanding of the world but also their ability to participate meaningfully in democratic dialogue.

World Expression Forum (WEXFO) is deeply concerned about the ongoing legal proceedings against human rights lawyer Imaan Mazari-Hazir in Islamabad, reported in Pakistani and international media. As the recipient of the WEXFO Young Inspiration Award, Mazari-Hazir represents young voices fighting for the rule of law and freedom of expression.

Propaganda and disinformation are embedded in the way we consume information every day. Algorithms amplify lies, emotions drive engagement, and societies splinter under the weight of manipulation. At WEXFO 2025 in Lillehammer, four leading voices shared why awareness and resilience are critical for democracy.

During WEXFO 2025 in Lillehammer, we interviewed three leading voices to reflect on one of the most fundamental pillars of democracy: reading. In a world of growing polarization, disinformation, and fragmented realities, literacy is not just a skill – it is a necessity for citizenship building.