WEXFO
YOUTH VOICES
Scandic Lillehammer Hotel
1-2 June 2026
WEXFO Youth Voices 2026
WEXFO Youth Voices is a two-day festival where young people explore freedom of expression through workshops, conversations, music, and art.
The event runs parallel to the WEXFO freedom of expression conference, which gathers defenders of freedom of expression fom all over the world.
The program for WEXFO Youth Voices is developed in collaboration with WEXFO’s youth group, which consists of representatives from secondary and high schools in Lillehammer.
Across both days, students take part in a structured programme combining inspiration, creativity, and active participation.
Each visit follows the same format:
- A joint opening session on the main stage
- Two interactive workshops per class
- A closing session with performances and speakers
The programme is tailored to different age groups:
- Lower secondary school (Grades 8–10): 1–2 June
- Upper secondary school: 2 June
Throughout the festival, students engage with topics such as freedom of expression, democracy, human rights, media literacy, and the role of art as a form of expression. Workshops are developed and led in collaboration with partners including Transparency International Norway, The United Nations Association of Norway, Nansen Center for Peace and Dialogue, UKM (Young Culture Meets), Stop Hate Speech, Oppatt, and various artists, writers, and youth voices.
Extension of educational program
WEXFO Youth Voices is also an extension of the educational program “Equal Opportunities,” which has been developed by Lillehammer municipality and offered to schools prior to the festival. This educational program provides students with a solid academic foundation and preparation, ensuring they get the most out of their participation at WEXFO Youth Voices.
How to participate?
Would your class like to participate in WEXFO Youth Voices 2027? Please send an email to project manager Hilde Fauskerud Hansen to register: hilde@wexfo.no
The event is free for school classes.
Partners
Sponsors
It is important that everyone listens to the youth, because if you don’t, you discourage us from taking part and engaging. Even though we don’t know everything, neither do you.
Snorre Fostervoll, Student and member of WEXFO Youth’s working committe 2023
“World Expression Forum is the most interesting place to be for everyone who is interested in freedom of expression”
Anette Trettebergstuen
Former Minister of Culture and Equality
WEXFO Youth Voices is an event about freedom of expression where youth can learn, discuss and express themselves through workshops, activities, and panel talks.
Youth Voices was arranged for the first time in May 2023.
Lillehammer – our conference city
The World Expression Forum takes place annually in Lillehammer, Norway, in May/June. Norway ranks highly on Freedom of Expression indexes. The town of Lillehammer is a UNESCO City of Literature, an ICORN city of refuge for artists at risk and host of the biggest literature festival in Scandinavia. The city, the region (Innlandet) and the country are committed to supporting freedom of expression around the world.
