World Expression Forum

"Humans should govern humans."

At WEXFO 2026, Kim Wehle delivered a thought-provoking keynote on how AI and digital swarms can influence public debate and challenge both democracy and freedom of expression.

Yet her central message was one of hope. In a world increasingly shaped by technology, our greatest strength remains what no machine can replicate: our humanity.

"Technology is an opportunity for the human race to re-envision its purpose and how to structure relationships – with ourselves, with each other and in relationship to government – to find a way to live alongside technology in this very new, somewhat frightening, but also exciting world."

Photo: Øystein Nordås/WEXFO

Manal Makkieh delivered a powerful speech titled "The Cost of Speaking" at this year's WEXFO conference. She is a Palestinian raised in a refugee camp in Beirut and shared important perspectives on the realities facing her people and the suppression of freedom of expression affecting many Palestinians.

"When journalists are killed, censored, threatened, banned and silenced, the world loses more than individual voices. It loses evidence, it loses witnesses and it loses the ability to see."

Photo: Øystein Nordås/WEXFO

"Every majority needs dissent in order to know its own mind."

– Megan Phelps-Roper, WEXFO 2026

This week, Lillehammer bibliotek og litteraturhus, Lillehammer kino and WEXFO hosted a screening of the award-winning documentary The Librarians.

The film explores the fight against book bans in American school libraries and highlights the vital connection between access to literature, freedom of expression and democracy.

Special thanks to Helene Voldner, President of Norsk bibliotekforening, for sharing insights from her recent study trip to the United States before the screening and reflecting on what these developments can teach us.

World Expression Forum extends its condolences on the passing of His Majesty King Harald V. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family and the people of Norway.

As Norway's Head of State for 35 years, King Harald was a unifying and inclusive leader. Through his words and actions, he promoted respect, inclusion and human dignity, values that are fundamental to an open and democratic society.

King Harald will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude.

Lillehammer kino, Lillehammer bibliotek og litteraturhus og WEXFO inviterer til en eksklusiv visning av den prisbelønte dokumentaren The Librarians: https://www.facebook.com/events/1750555642603578/

The Librarians handler om kampen mot bokforbud i amerikanske skolebibliotek og viser hvordan tilgang til litteratur henger tett sammen med ytringsfrihet og demokrati.

Filmen reiser viktige spørsmål som også angår oss i Norge og Lillehammer: Hvordan sikrer vi fri tilgang til litteratur og kunnskap, og hvilken rolle spiller bibliotekene i et demokratisk samfunn?

Mer info om filmen her: https://thelibrariansfilm.com/

Før visningen vil leder for Norsk bibliotekforening Helene Voldner dele inntrykk fra sin studiereise til USA tidligere i sommer, der hun møtte bibliotekarer som står midt i disse konfliktene. Hun vil også reflektere over hva vi kan lære av utviklingen, og hvordan vi kan styrke arbeidet for ytringsfrihet, leselyst og fri tilgang til litteratur.

Tid: Torsdag 3. september kl. 18:00
Sted: Lillehammer kino
Billetter: https://www.lillehammerkino.no/film/EDI20260025

"We wanted to create a country with a future for young people."

Last June, Pema Wangmo Mgm was awarded the WEXFO Young Inspiration Award.

As part of Nepal's Gen Z movement for change, the young Indigenous activist emerged as one of the leading voices following the youth-led protests that shook the country in 2025.

Recently, Panorama Nyheter published a major interview with Pema, in which she reflects on the protests, the hopes of Nepal's younger generation, and her ongoing work to turn calls for change into lasting democratic progress.

Pema continues to inspire us with her courage, leadership, and commitment to inclusion.

Read the interview (in Norwegian): https://www.panoramanyheter.no/demokrati-nepal/over-70-dode-i-protestene-na-kjemper-hun-for-nepals-demokrati/425531

Photo: WEXFO/MMMedia