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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.”

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.

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.

Legal protections for free expression are widespread, but in professional life, many still stay silent. At WEXFO 2025, a panel representing legal expertise, advocacy and journalism explored why rights on paper don’t always translate into real freedom.

The new European initiative DemRead will oppose the increasing autocratization of states by promoting higher-level reading.

As I reflect on a week spent in Norway, I think about the numerous powerful keynote speeches, interesting (and even sometimes heated) panels, my personal interactions with Young Experts and More Young Voices, and side event visits.

What do young people need? After six days of listening, sharing, grieving, and laughing at the World Expression Forum, I think I’m beginning to understand. I recently participated in the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) from May 30 – June 4, 2025, held in both Utøya and Lillehammer, thanks to a nomination from Awareness 360 — a youth-led NGO committed to empowering young people to support and uplift their communities.

Democracy and freedom of expression are under pressure across the globe – and even in Norway, there are signs of unrest. These sparks must be extinguished before our entire democracy goes up in flames.

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.”

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.

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.

Legal protections for free expression are widespread, but in professional life, many still stay silent. At WEXFO 2025, a panel representing legal expertise, advocacy and journalism explored why rights on paper don’t always translate into real freedom.

The new European initiative DemRead will oppose the increasing autocratization of states by promoting higher-level reading.

As I reflect on a week spent in Norway, I think about the numerous powerful keynote speeches, interesting (and even sometimes heated) panels, my personal interactions with Young Experts and More Young Voices, and side event visits.

What do young people need? After six days of listening, sharing, grieving, and laughing at the World Expression Forum, I think I’m beginning to understand. I recently participated in the World Expression Forum (WEXFO) from May 30 – June 4, 2025, held in both Utøya and Lillehammer, thanks to a nomination from Awareness 360 — a youth-led NGO committed to empowering young people to support and uplift their communities.

Democracy and freedom of expression are under pressure across the globe – and even in Norway, there are signs of unrest. These sparks must be extinguished before our entire democracy goes up in flames.

Tomasz Wnęk is one of many young leaders bringing youth perspective to WEXFO 2025. The rising political voice from Poland, is one of the participants in the WEXFO More Young Voices seminar.