WEXFO 2025

The Year of Resistance

2-3 June, Lillehammer, Norway

WEXFO’s annual conference is a unique experience where you build networks, gain knowledge, and find renewed strength in your work for freedom of expression. Set in the peaceful environment of Lillehammer, WEXFO offers an exceptional opportunity for dialogue and collaboration across generations and cultures.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk to speak at the World Expression Forum

Oleksandra Matviichuk, the head of the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties, will speak at the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer on June 2-3.

Kadafi Zaman to host WEXFO conference

Zaman will co-host the World Expression Forum on June 2-3 alongside Jette F. Christensen.

Why Norway must speak up for Dr. Mahrang Baloch

On March 22, 2024, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a 32-year-old prominent female human rights defender, was arrested in Quetta, the capital of the Pakistani province of Balochistan. Her only “crime”? Speaking out against human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the systematic economic exploitation of the region, which is rich in mineral resources but remains the poorest in Pakistan.

Two new shareholders in World Expression Forum

Holtzbrinck Buchverlage GmbH (Germany) and Folkeakademiets landsforbund (Norway) have joined the shareholder community of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO).

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa to speak at World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

Journalist and freedom of expression advocate Maria Ressa will return to Norway and Lillehammer to speak at the global conference World Expression Forum (WEXFO) on June 2-3.

New V-Dem report highlights decline in democracy and freedom of expression

The latest Democracy Report from the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg reveals that democratic countries are now in the minority. Freedom of expression is declining, and high levels of disinformation and polarization are driving democratic backsliding.

Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg to host WEXFO 2025

With extensive experience in journalism and politics, Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg will lead the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer this June, bringing together global advocates for freedom of expression.

Lawyers to take a larger role in the World Expression Forum

The law firm Thallaug, spearheaded by partner Ingrid Sandberg, will lead a dedicated session on freedom of expression in academia and the workplace during the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer on June 2-3.

World Expression Forum announces its “most important conference ever”

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) has unveiled the program and speakers for its annual freedom of expression conference, set to take place in Lillehammer, Norway, on June 2-3. "World Expression Forum aims to empower and defend freedom of expression as an absolute...

“There will be no combatting disinformation during the Trump administration — only embracing it”

American author and counter-disinformation expert Nina Jankowicz calls the situation in the US “extremely concerning” as she prepares to share her insights at the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer in June.

Why Norway must speak up for Dr. Mahrang Baloch

On March 22, 2024, Dr. Mahrang Baloch, a 32-year-old prominent female human rights defender, was arrested in Quetta, the capital of the Pakistani province of Balochistan. Her only “crime”? Speaking out against human rights violations, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the systematic economic exploitation of the region, which is rich in mineral resources but remains the poorest in Pakistan.

“There will be no combatting disinformation during the Trump administration — only embracing it”

American author and counter-disinformation expert Nina Jankowicz calls the situation in the US “extremely concerning” as she prepares to share her insights at the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer in June.

Fighting for the dignity and future of my people

For me, human rights activism is not a hobby but a profound responsibility.

Africans and liberal democracy’s incompleteness

Do Africans truly desire liberal democracy or is it just an imposition of rich, highly-industrialised Western governments?

European media is weakened. It is a democratic challenge.

The liberal democracies in the EU area have been weakened over the past 10-15 years. This likely includes the influence of editorial media. Is there a connection?

AI: “A lightning-fast, exponential development that advances faster than regulatory measures”

Adele Matheson Mestad, Director at the Norwegian Human Rights Institution, was one of the contributors to an important discussion at WEXFO 2024: Is AI a threat or a tool for freedom of expression?

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.

“There will be no combatting disinformation during the Trump administration — only embracing it”

American author and counter-disinformation expert Nina Jankowicz calls the situation in the US “extremely concerning” as she prepares to share her insights at the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer in June.

Fighting for the dignity and future of my people

For me, human rights activism is not a hobby but a profound responsibility.

Africans and liberal democracy’s incompleteness

Do Africans truly desire liberal democracy or is it just an imposition of rich, highly-industrialised Western governments?

European media is weakened. It is a democratic challenge.

The liberal democracies in the EU area have been weakened over the past 10-15 years. This likely includes the influence of editorial media. Is there a connection?

AI: “A lightning-fast, exponential development that advances faster than regulatory measures”

Adele Matheson Mestad, Director at the Norwegian Human Rights Institution, was one of the contributors to an important discussion at WEXFO 2024: Is AI a threat or a tool for freedom of expression?

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.

Fighting for the dignity and future of my people

For me, human rights activism is not a hobby but a profound responsibility.

Africans and liberal democracy’s incompleteness

Do Africans truly desire liberal democracy or is it just an imposition of rich, highly-industrialised Western governments?

European media is weakened. It is a democratic challenge.

The liberal democracies in the EU area have been weakened over the past 10-15 years. This likely includes the influence of editorial media. Is there a connection?

AI: “A lightning-fast, exponential development that advances faster than regulatory measures”

Adele Matheson Mestad, Director at the Norwegian Human Rights Institution, was one of the contributors to an important discussion at WEXFO 2024: Is AI a threat or a tool for freedom of expression?

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.

Nobel Peace Prize winner Oleksandra Matviichuk to speak at the World Expression Forum

Oleksandra Matviichuk, the head of the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties, will speak at the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer on June 2-3.

Kadafi Zaman to host WEXFO conference

Zaman will co-host the World Expression Forum on June 2-3 alongside Jette F. Christensen.

Two new shareholders in World Expression Forum

Holtzbrinck Buchverlage GmbH (Germany) and Folkeakademiets landsforbund (Norway) have joined the shareholder community of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO).

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa to speak at World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

Journalist and freedom of expression advocate Maria Ressa will return to Norway and Lillehammer to speak at the global conference World Expression Forum (WEXFO) on June 2-3.

New V-Dem report highlights decline in democracy and freedom of expression

The latest Democracy Report from the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg reveals that democratic countries are now in the minority. Freedom of expression is declining, and high levels of disinformation and polarization are driving democratic backsliding.

Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg to host WEXFO 2025

With extensive experience in journalism and politics, Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg will lead the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer this June, bringing together global advocates for freedom of expression.

Lawyers to take a larger role in the World Expression Forum

The law firm Thallaug, spearheaded by partner Ingrid Sandberg, will lead a dedicated session on freedom of expression in academia and the workplace during the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer on June 2-3.

World Expression Forum announces its “most important conference ever”

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) has unveiled the program and speakers for its annual freedom of expression conference, set to take place in Lillehammer, Norway, on June 2-3. "World Expression Forum aims to empower and defend freedom of expression as an absolute...

Three-year support from Innlandet County to World Expression Forum

The County Executive Committee has decided to grant the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) NOK 1.5 million annually for the next three years.

Seyran Ates rejoins World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

The renowned lawyer and Muslim feminist returns to Lillehammer on June 2 and 3 to speak about freedom of expression and democracy.

Kadafi Zaman to host WEXFO conference

Zaman will co-host the World Expression Forum on June 2-3 alongside Jette F. Christensen.

Two new shareholders in World Expression Forum

Holtzbrinck Buchverlage GmbH (Germany) and Folkeakademiets landsforbund (Norway) have joined the shareholder community of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO).

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa to speak at World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

Journalist and freedom of expression advocate Maria Ressa will return to Norway and Lillehammer to speak at the global conference World Expression Forum (WEXFO) on June 2-3.

New V-Dem report highlights decline in democracy and freedom of expression

The latest Democracy Report from the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg reveals that democratic countries are now in the minority. Freedom of expression is declining, and high levels of disinformation and polarization are driving democratic backsliding.

Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg to host WEXFO 2025

With extensive experience in journalism and politics, Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg will lead the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer this June, bringing together global advocates for freedom of expression.

Lawyers to take a larger role in the World Expression Forum

The law firm Thallaug, spearheaded by partner Ingrid Sandberg, will lead a dedicated session on freedom of expression in academia and the workplace during the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer on June 2-3.

World Expression Forum announces its “most important conference ever”

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) has unveiled the program and speakers for its annual freedom of expression conference, set to take place in Lillehammer, Norway, on June 2-3. "World Expression Forum aims to empower and defend freedom of expression as an absolute...

Three-year support from Innlandet County to World Expression Forum

The County Executive Committee has decided to grant the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) NOK 1.5 million annually for the next three years.

Seyran Ates rejoins World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

The renowned lawyer and Muslim feminist returns to Lillehammer on June 2 and 3 to speak about freedom of expression and democracy.

Charlie Hebdo editor returns to World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

Editor-in-chief Gérard Biard of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo will reflect on freedom of expression 10 years after the terror attack on his editorial department, which killed twelve people and injured eleven.

Two new shareholders in World Expression Forum

Holtzbrinck Buchverlage GmbH (Germany) and Folkeakademiets landsforbund (Norway) have joined the shareholder community of the World Expression Forum (WEXFO).

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa to speak at World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

Journalist and freedom of expression advocate Maria Ressa will return to Norway and Lillehammer to speak at the global conference World Expression Forum (WEXFO) on June 2-3.

New V-Dem report highlights decline in democracy and freedom of expression

The latest Democracy Report from the V-Dem Institute at the University of Gothenburg reveals that democratic countries are now in the minority. Freedom of expression is declining, and high levels of disinformation and polarization are driving democratic backsliding.

Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg to host WEXFO 2025

With extensive experience in journalism and politics, Jette F. Christensen and Kristoffer Rønneberg will lead the World Expression Forum in Lillehammer this June, bringing together global advocates for freedom of expression.

Lawyers to take a larger role in the World Expression Forum

The law firm Thallaug, spearheaded by partner Ingrid Sandberg, will lead a dedicated session on freedom of expression in academia and the workplace during the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) in Lillehammer on June 2-3.

World Expression Forum announces its “most important conference ever”

The World Expression Forum (WEXFO) has unveiled the program and speakers for its annual freedom of expression conference, set to take place in Lillehammer, Norway, on June 2-3. "World Expression Forum aims to empower and defend freedom of expression as an absolute...

Three-year support from Innlandet County to World Expression Forum

The County Executive Committee has decided to grant the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) NOK 1.5 million annually for the next three years.

Seyran Ates rejoins World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

The renowned lawyer and Muslim feminist returns to Lillehammer on June 2 and 3 to speak about freedom of expression and democracy.

Charlie Hebdo editor returns to World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

Editor-in-chief Gérard Biard of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo will reflect on freedom of expression 10 years after the terror attack on his editorial department, which killed twelve people and injured eleven.

Deeyah Khan to speak at World Expression Forum in Lillehammer

The award-winning documentary filmmaker and human rights activist will discuss her method of building connections across social, racial, political, and personal divides.

“A gathering of champions of human rights and solidarity”

Irene Kahn
UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of expression and opinion

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, the freedom and the safety to express themselves.

 

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.

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 and politician