Øystein Bogen to Speak at Youth Peace Conference 2027
Russian disinformation, free media and the future of democracy in Europe
Award-winning Norwegian foreign correspondent and security policy commentator Øystein Bogen will be a speaker at the Youth Peace Conference in Oslo on 19 May 2027.
Bogen has accepted an invitation to address one of the central challenges facing democracies today: how Russia seeks to undermine Western democracies through disinformation and influence operations – and why free and independent media are essential to protecting democracy.
The Youth Peace Conference has the overall theme:
“Peace, Freedom and Democracy – Young People Building the Future Together.”
When information becomes a battlefield
For decades, Øystein Bogen has reported extensively from Russia, Ukraine and other areas affected by conflict and geopolitical tensions. His experience gives him a unique perspective on the relationship between war, information and democracy.
At the conference, Bogen will discuss how disinformation and manipulation can be used to create distrust, influence public debate and weaken democratic institutions.
He will also address the vital role of free and independent journalism in democratic societies.
Access to reliable information is fundamental to democracy. Citizens need trustworthy journalism and a diversity of independent voices in order to understand what is happening, challenge those in power and make informed decisions.
Why this matters to young people
For young people, these questions are becoming increasingly important.
Social media and digital platforms have transformed the way young people receive news, communicate and participate in public debate. They also provide opportunities for false or misleading information to spread rapidly.
This raises important questions:
How can young people distinguish reliable information from disinformation?
How can free media remain strong in an increasingly polarized and digital world?
And what can young people themselves do to strengthen democracy?
These are not only questions for journalists, politicians and researchers. They are questions for the next generation of European citizens and leaders.
Øystein Bogen. Foto: www.oysteinbogen.no
Democracy in Ukraine – and across Europe
Russia’s full-scale war against Ukraine has also demonstrated how closely security, freedom, information and democracy are connected.
Ukraine is fighting not only for its territorial integrity and independence, but also for its right to determine its own democratic future.
For European young people, Ukraine’s experience provides important lessons about the value of freedom, democratic participation and access to independent information.
At the Youth Peace Conference, Bogen will bring these issues into a wider European context, exploring the challenges facing democracy in Ukraine, Norway and Europe.
Young people taking the lead
Youth Peace Conference is part of the youth-led international project Youth Music for Peace, Freedom and Democracy, organised by Support to the People of Ukraine (S2pU).
The conference will bring together young people from Norway, Ukraine and other parts of Europe with politicians, journalists, experts, civil society organisations and other decision-makers.
The purpose is not simply to talk about democracy, but to give young people a meaningful opportunity to take part in the democratic conversation and help shape the future they will inherit.
Øystein Bogen’s contribution will provide an important starting point for that conversation:
How do we protect democracy when information itself becomes a battleground?
And perhaps even more importantly:
How can young people help ensure that democracy, freedom and peace remain strong in Europe?
Youth Peace Conference
Oslo Konserthus, Norway
19 May 2027
Theme: Peace, Freedom and Democracy – Young People Building the Future Together
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