Interactive Programming at OFF 2026
Discover the dynamic tracks, thought-provoking panels, and immersive workshops featured at the 2026 Oslo Freedom Forum.
1
-3
June
Debates to be announced
Panel
Protecting the Lawyers Who Defend Democracy
Jun 1, 2026
15:00-16:00
- Lille Sal
Moderated by
Lawyers in authoritarian regimes face a growing trend of targeted attacks, as political prosecution and professional sanctions are weaponized to stifle legal advocacy. Attacks on lawyers undermine the rule of law, endangering those who do vital work to represent dissenters, vulnerable populations, and opposition groups in closed societies. Panelists will highlight personal stories of brave legal advocacy and emerging strategies for protecting at-risk lawyers, strengthening international accountability, and reinforcing global support networks.
Panel
Standing up to Rising Autocrats in Georgia, Serbia, and Beyond
Jun 3, 2026
10:30-11:30
- Smaller Panel Room
Moderated by
Countries across Europe and the Caucasus are experiencing and growing authoritarianism, prompting mass protests, mobilization of civic engagement, and the rise of pro-democracy movements. From Serbia to Hungary and from Georgia to Armenia, these movements face the same set of challenges: democratic backsliding, escalating repression, and the emergence of populist parties. This panel provides a platform for cross-border dialogue among democracy advocates and human rights defenders. The goal is to share best practices, expertise, and strategies to counter the ongoing democratic erosion and entrenchment of authoritarianism.
Panel
The Middle East in Turmoil: Geopolitical Wars and the Future of Democratic Governance
Jun 3, 2026
15:30-16:30
- Big Panel Room
Moderated by
The Middle East and North Africa region has long been shaped by geopolitical rivalries, proxy wars, and sudden political upheavals. Time and again, the fall — or weakening — of entrenched regimes has raised hopes for democratic change. Yet the region’s recent history shows a more complicated reality: moments of upheaval often give way not to democracy, but to new forms of authoritarian rule, fragile states, or prolonged instability. Drawing on developments in Iran, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and beyond, this panel discussion will examine whether the region is witnessing the opening of new political possibilities, or the consolidation of familiar patterns under new circumstances.
Panel
Persecuted for Belief
Jun 3, 2026
14:15-15:15
- Small Panel Room
Moderated by
Globally, religious believers face censorship, harassment, surveillance, and imprisonment under the banner of combating extremism or maintaining national security and public order. This discussion unpacks the legal tools and political systems used to control religious life and highlights the resilience of communities advocating for their right to believe.
Panel
How Dictators Use Corruption To Destroy Democracy (and Get Insanely Rich in the Process)
Jun 3, 2026
15:30-16:30
- Small Panel Room
Moderated by
This panel will expose the global architecture of corruption, discussing how autocrats hide their wealth and who is helping them along the way. Featuring leading researchers, journalists, and experts, this panel will reveal the latest from the frontlines of the struggle to end modern kleptocracy.
Panel
Ending Modern Slavery in Global Supply Chains
Jun 3, 2026
14:15-15:15
- Big Panel Room
Moderated by
Modern slavery persists in every region of the world, yet the laws meant to prevent it vary widely in strength, scope, and enforcement. Progress in supply chain due diligence legislation has been uneven — and often symbolic. This panel will include legal experts, advocates, and policymakers to unpack what’s working, what isn’t, and where global modern slavery laws must go next. Panelists will explore enforcement gaps, corporate accountability, and emerging models that have the potential to drive real protections for vulnerable workers.
Panel
Maduro's Fall and the Future of Authoritarians in Latin America
Jun 3, 2026
11:45-12:45
- Big Panel Room
Moderated by
The capture of Nicolás Maduro has jolted the authoritarian landscape of the Americas — but it has not ended it. This panel brings together leading democratic voices from Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba to assess what this moment means for entrenched dictatorships, hybrid authoritarian regimes like El Salvador, and countries potentially transitioning out of authoritarianism such as Bolivia and Honduras.
Workshop
Engaging Meta's Oversight Board
Jun 3, 2026
15:30-16:30
- Workshop Room
The workshop will be an opportunity for the OFF community to learn more about Meta’s Oversight Board and how they can interact with it in their own work. It will explore how the Board can be a useful tool for advocacy and campaigning, and bring in actors who have done so successfully to offer their own views.
Fireside Chats to be announced
Creative Dissent to be announced
Resilience
OFF Medical Clinic | OFFICE HOURS
Jun 1, 2026
15:00-17:30
- OFF Clinic
Activists sometimes lack time to manage their personal health, which is vital to sustaining their work. We are delighted to have C. Michael Wright, MD, and Tabita A. Wright, MD, accompanied by Norwegian doctor Erik Engebretsen, to offer medical checks for OFF attendees, including physical examinations and laboratory tests.
Book Signing
Jacob Mchangama
Jun 1, 2026
15:00-16:00
- Atrium
Join us for a timely and thought-provoking book signing session with Jacob Mchangama, founder and executive director of The Future of Free Speech, research professor at Vanderbilt University, and senior fellow at the Foundation for Individual Rights Expression (FIRE). In his latest work, “The Future of Free Speech,” Mchangama delivers a sharp analysis of the mounting pressure on free expression worldwide. From liberal democracies to authoritarian regimes, he reveals how censorship, speech controls, misinformation debates, and rapidly changing digital platforms are reshaping the boundaries of the right to speak freely. His book offers a compelling call to defend open dialogue to meet modern challenges and uphold democratic values.