On October 4, after a more-than-two-year hiatus from in-person events, our community finally reunited at the New World Center in Miami for the 2021 Oslo Freedom Forum. More than 750 individuals from all walks of life and all corners of the globe joined together to discuss 2021’s most pressing human rights issues, and brainstorm new ways to expand freedom worldwide.Our theme — TRUTH IGNITED — sought to amplify the voices of those who speak truth to power and ignite movements that seek justice and defy authoritarian regimes. The 2021 program featured inspiring talks by activists, scholars, and journalists from around the world, including Belarus, Burma, Cuba, Iraq, Nigeria, the Uyghur Region, and Venezuela; compelling art installations and live music performances; action-oriented panels, fireside chats, and workshops with thought leaders; and special programming on the struggle for human rights and democracy in Latin America.
(From left to right) Melissa Mahtani, Samuel Chu, Masih Alinejad, and Melanio Escobar speak on the panel, “Fake News, Censorship, & Encryption.”
For the first time ever, HRF hosted a simultaneous event in Oslo, where our local Norwegian community watched a livestream of the Oslo Freedom Forum theater talks and gathered to discuss the current state of freedom and human rights. Although an ocean separated our community this year, we united around a common cause of uncovering truth and igniting a worldwide movement. Click here to watch livestream footage from our satellite event in Oslo.
Below, Hong Kong political and digital rights activist Glacier Kwong speaks at the satellite event in Oslo, Norway.
Illustrations of the 2021 Oslo Freedom Forum speakers, by American writer and cartoonist for The New Yorker Liza Donnelly.
Making Headlines
More than 130 international and local journalists attended the 2021 Oslo Freedom Forum to cover these leading advocates in the world of human rights. To date, there have been more than 331 unique articles, profiles, op-eds, interviews, podcasts, and videos produced about the conference and its speakers, in more than 14 languages and from 32 countries. Some highlights include:
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POLITICO, Postcard from the Oslo Freedom Forum
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PBS’ Firing Line with Margaret Hoover, The Oslo Freedom Forum
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USA Today, Navalny from prison: Corruption flourishes when there’s disregard for human rights
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National Review, ‘Be Human’
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Reason, Iraqi Comedian Ahmed Albasheer: The U.S. Invasion Created a Thousand Saddams
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Miami Herald, In Miami forum, Venezuela’s Leopoldo Lopez proposes worldwide bloc against dictatorships
What Attendees Are Saying
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“It is the most powerful experience you could have. It’s invigorating to see and meet people who are changing the world in so many ways.”
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“OFF is the perfect mix of human rights activists, policymakers, and concerned people from various strata of the world community who care about the human condition. You can’t fully grasp the phenomenon unless you come!”
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“This is the best chance to hear from revolutionaries of today and leaders of tomorrow.”
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“At OFF, you will listen to and even meet some of the most important freedom fighters in the world today. If you are asleep to the stark reality of life for billions of people in the world today, they will wake you up. If you are aware, they will give you hope that a better future is possible. And in both cases, they will move you to act.”
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“It’s the best human rights conference in the world.”
What’s Next
Oslo Freedom Forum 2022 | May 23-25
The 2022 Oslo Freedom Forum is coming up in T-minus 208 days! The event will be held on May 23-25 in Oslo, Norway. Purchase your tickets now!