WEXFO YOUTH VOICES

News

When the fabric of society unravels

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

Two new shareholders join the World Expression Forum

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

WEXFO launches 2026 conference program exploring disagreement, power and the future of democracy

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.

WEXFO seeks Norwegian participants for More Young Voices 2026

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.

Arizza Nocum and Chetan Rastogi to host this year’s WEXFO conference

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.”

Louis Theroux to join WEXFO 2026 in Lillehammer

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.

V-Dem 2026: Freedom of expression under historic pressure

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.”

Norwegian Prime Minister and Maria Ressa in in-depth conversation at WEXFO

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.

WEXFO calls for the protection of freedom of expression following the arrest of Imaan Mazari-Hazir

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.

WEXFO announces 2026 conference theme: The Freedom to Disagree

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.

Why Norway must speak up for Dr. Mahrang Baloch

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.

read more