Grande has been a board member of WEXFO for more than two years and now takes over as Chair of the Board from Aschehoug CEO Mads Nygaard, who has held the role since the establishment of WEXFO in 2021.
WEXFO is a global meeting place and driving force for freedom of expression. Through its annual conference in Lillehammer, as well as dedicated programs for youth and young adults, WEXFO connects people and institutions from around the world to strengthen the work for freedom of expression and democracy.
“I look forward to taking over the leadership of the WEXFO Board in this exciting period for the organization and for the role of freedom of expression, both in Norway and internationally. It is with great humility that I succeed Mads Nygaard, who has done a fantastic job building this important organization and platform for freedom of expression. His work will leave a lasting impact for years to come,” says the new Chair.
“As Chair of the Board, I would particularly like to highlight the work carried out by everyone who makes up the ‘infrastructure of free expression’, meaning those who facilitate expression in practice, such as journalists, publishers, librarians, and curators. All of these people make daily choices that promote freedom of expression, yet there are few arenas for knowledge-sharing and discussion about their role. I believe this will become increasingly important in the years ahead,” says Grande.
Trine Skei Grande is Director of the Norwegian Publishers Association. She served as leader of the Liberal Party (Venstre) for ten years and as a Member of the Norwegian Parliament for twenty years. Grande is a former Minister of Culture and Gender Equality and Minister of Education and Integration in Norway, and has extensive experience working on issues related to freedom of expression.
At WEXFO’s General Assembly, two new board members were also elected: Andreas Hatlevik (TENK – Norwegian Centre for Source Awareness) and Jacob Mchangama (author, lawyer, and researcher based in Denmark and the United States).
Other members of the WEXFO Board are Anne Bergman (The Federation of European Publishers), Aage Borchgrevink (The Norwegian Helsinki Committee), Celina Jerman Bright-Taylor (Safemuse), Helje Solberg (NRK), Elisabeth O. Sjaastad (The Norwegian Film Association), Kristenn Einarsson, Heela Yoon (Afghan Youth Ambassadors for Peace Organization), Fatemeh Ekhtesari, Khin Thandar Htay (WAN-IFRA), and Felicia Anthonio (Access Now).
Photo of Trine Skei Grande: Trine Hisdal.
