The report documents a year of growing youth engagement and continued development across WEXFO’s conference activities, educational initiatives and partnerships.

Highlights include participants from 47 countries at the annual WEXFO conference, more than 1,600 young people engaged through WEXFO Youth, and a growing network of partners and collaborators working to strengthen freedom of expression and democracy.

“The strength of WEXFO lies in connecting people, organizations, and ideas across borders and differences. Freedom of expression is strengthened when its defenders share knowledge, learn from each other’s experiences, find inspiration and build networks.” – Ingunn Trosholmen, CEO.

Nominations for WEXFO Young Experts 2027 are open

World Expression Forum (WEXFO) invites young professionals from around the world to apply for the WEXFO Young Experts Networking Seminar, taking place in Lillehammer, Norway, from 21-25 May 2027.

Call to action for imprisoned WEXFO alumna Imaan Mazari-Hazir

World Expression Forum (WEXFO) is calling on former WEXFO participants to sign an urgent joint statement in support of Imaan Mazari-Hazir, a prominent human rights lawyer, WEXFO alumna, and recipient of the 2025 WEXFO Young Inspiration Award.

Eline Ruud Kristiansen winner of “Young People’s Public Address”

The winner of the “Young People’s Public Address” writing competition is Eline Ruud Kristiansen for the text “I Am a Little Afraid,” performed at the Public Meeting for Freedom of Expression during the Norwegian Festival of Literature and the World Expression Forum.

World Expression Forum 2026 Conference Statement

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) 2026 takes place at a time when freedom of expression is under growing attack. Speaking out is becoming more difficult. Not only because of censorship and repression, but because fear, polarization, hostility, and distrust force more people to self-censor.

Pema Wangmo Lama awarded the WEXFO Young Inspiration Award

Nepali activist Pema Wangmo Lama (26) has been awarded the WEXFO Young Inspiration Award during the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer, Norway.

When the fabric of society unravels

When people withdraw from public debate because they cannot bear the aggression, the suspicion, or the online shaming, something in democracy has already changed.

Two new shareholders join the World Expression Forum

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) welcomes Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue and the Norwegian Authors’ Union as new shareholders.

WEXFO launches 2026 conference program exploring disagreement, power and the future of democracy

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) has launched the program for WEXFO 2026, “The Freedom to Disagree” – an international conference addressing the shrinking space for disagreement worldwide.

WEXFO seeks Norwegian participants for More Young Voices 2026

World Expression Forum (WEXFO) is now inviting young people from Norway aged 18–25 to apply for WEXFO More Young Voices 2026 – an international Erasmus+ group exchange focused on freedom of expression, youth participation, and democratic engagement.

Arizza Nocum and Chetan Rastogi to host this year’s WEXFO conference

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.”