WEXFO
UTØYA YOUNG EXPERTS
Utøya and Lillehammer, Norway
30 May-4 June 2025
Young Experts Nomination Committee
Hilde Fauskerud
Committe Leader
Hilde is Project Manager for World Expression Forum’s initiative WEXFO Youth. She has a Master’s Degree in Art History and educated as a teacher with five years of education at university level. Hilde is also educated in project management and has 12 years of experience as project manager at Lillehammer Art Museum. In addition, Hilde has extensive experience with festivals, including as Festival Manager and board memeber of DølaJazz – Lillehammer Jazzfestival.
Rijve Arefin
Rijve Arefin is a highly skilled professional in community development and youth activism. As Co-Founder of Awareness 360, he empowers young people in 40+ countries to advance UN global goals. As Vice Chairperson of the Commonwealth Students Association, he represents over 640 million students. Rijve has established award-winning social enterprises and received accolades like Forbes 30 Under 30 and the Diana Award. He has advised the UN Global Compact’s Target Gender Equality Programme and is a US State Department Alumnus, TEDx Curator, Royal Commonwealth Society Fellow, UNDP Youth Co:Lab Fellow, Climate Action Champions Network member, and Global Youth Ambassador of Theirworld UK.
Melanie Walker
With over 20 years of experience, Melanie is a recognized leader in global media capacity-building and advocacy. As Executive Director of Media Development at WAN-IFRA, she manages a multi-million euro budget to champion media freedom, democracy, and gender equality across 25 countries. Founder of the award-winning Women in News (WIN) programme, she is dedicated to advancing gender equality and fostering inclusion. Her career includes significant roles in North America and Europe, such as Vice President International for the Women’s Executive Network (WXN). She holds a BA (Hons) degree from King’s College, Dalhousie University, and an MSc from the London School of Economics.
Ammal Ahmed Haj Mohamed
Ammal Ahmed Haj Mohamed holds a BA in Politics and International Relations and has studied Nordic language and literature. She is a project manager at PEN Norway, focusing on freedom of expression for young voices. Previously, she worked as an advisor at the Directorate of Integration and Diversity and led the diversity, inclusion, and belonging initiative at Sentralen cultural arena. Ammal is a former leader of Norwegian People’s Aid Solidarity Youth. In 2022, she was listed as one of “33 under 33 rising stars in politics and culture” by Vårt Land for her work and activism. She is a member of the Norwegian UNESCO Commission (2025-28) and serves on the boards of Norwegian People’s Aid, Future in Our Hands, and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra.
Anne-Marte Kolbjørnshus
Anne Marte Kolbjørnshus is Utøya’s Head of Fincane. She is also our acting Executive Director, while Ingrid Endrerud is on parental leave. Anne-Marte’s educational background is in Economics and she has a lot of experience in administrative leadership. She also has many years in politics under her belt.
Anne-Thea Haavind
Anne-Thea Haavind is Head of Administration at World Expression Forum. Prior to her current position at WEXFO, she worked nine years as Head of the Pegasus and KOMMA-programmes at the Norwegian Festival of Literature. She has a Master’s Degree in Cultural Studies, and professional experience from festivals and events since 2009, including Kongsberg Jazz festival, Dølajazz and Youth Olympic Games.
Andreas Gjone
Andreas Gjone is Communications and Marketing Manager at World Expression Forum. Andreas has worked as a communications professional since 2006, with extensive experience from the non-profit sector, business and public sector, including Tier 1 law firm Wiersholm (2019-2023), child rights organization Plan International Norway (2013-2019), PR agency Axxept (2011-2013), Oppland County Governor (2010-2011) and Association of Norwegian Students Abroad (2007-2010). Andreas holds a Master’s Degree in North American Studies and has additional education in project management and cultural entrepreneurship.
WEXFO Utøya Young Experts was arranged for the first time in May 2023 for a target group of 18-35 years. In cooperation with Utøya AS, it started as a gathering on the island and continued at WEXFO in Lillehammer.
The Young Experts 2025 seminar will gather young innovators, activists, and community leaders to highlight how young people locally and globally fight for freedom of expression.
Utøya – a place for commemoration, learning and engagement
22 July 2011 Utøya became the scene of the worst terrorist attack in Norwegian history. A far-right terrorist attacked AUF’s summer camp, and many were killed. Today Utøya is an open, accessible and inclusive arena for engaging, learning and remembering.
How they have enabled new life is what impressed me the most at Utøya. It's so human, it's so sincere, it's so truthful.
Oleksandra Matviichuk, human rights lawyer, Nobel Peace Prize laureate 2022 and speaker at WEXFO 2022 and 2023.
