In 2023, I took part in over a dozen conferences, and in 2022, I participated in at least 15. At some of these events, I was the MC, hosting discussions and attempting to conceal my preference for Bitcoin (BTC). I also organized games, quizzes, and talks to engage and challenge the audience.
My experience at various conferences has given me insight into networking events and how to captivate an audience.
When I reflect on my experiences at events such as the World Economic Forum in Davos, El Salvador’s adoption of Bitcoin, the Web Summit in Lisbon, and AfroBitcoin in Ghana, none of them compare to the Oslo Freedom Forum that I attended in June.
Oslo Freedom Forum: A Global Showcase
Located in Oslo, the charming capital of Norway, the Oslo Freedom Forum is a remarkable event. As the day begins at 10 a.m., you find yourself in the Oslo Concert Hall, tired and groggy after late-night conversations with freedom fighters and Bitcoin enthusiasts. The forum takes you on a journey around the world, delving into diverse human experiences.
This unique event brings together a group of individuals who are inspiring, engaging, and full of energy. Activists and artists from all corners of the globe take the stage to exercise their freedom of speech. The convergence of these minds and the exchange of ideas create an atmosphere like no other.
From Rwanda to Palestine, Uganda to Ukraine, the speakers leave you speechless, moved to tears, silent, and outraged. You find yourself laughing at dry jokes and feeling despair at the thought of Iranians being deprived of their freedom to sing in their own country, while an Iranian opera singer captivates the audience in Norway, thousands of miles away. The level of professionalism that goes into delivering such a captivating event is truly impressive.
Satoshi’s Legacy
The discussions that arise from the forum cover a wide range of topics, from trans issues and genital mutilation to war, famine, and heroism. I did my best to answer questions about Bitcoin, such as “What is a Bitcoin CoinJoin? Is it truly private?” These questions came from a team member from Hong Kong who is fighting for the release of an activist from jail.
Although the third day of the conference focused on Bitcoin and financial freedom tools, prominent Bitcoin advocates, including Lyn Alden, took the main stage to discuss NOSTR, algorithms, and control. While Bitcoin is not the central focus of the event, Twitter founder Jack Dorsey emphasized the protocol’s significance by wearing his trademark Satoshi/Nirvana t-shirt on the main stage.
Late at night, I found myself contemplating the ideas and conversations from the forum. My sleep tracker revealed that I had an average of 5 hours of light sleep per night in Norway. Unfortunately, the lack of sleep cannot be attributed to the unusually lively nightlife that takes over the city during the forum.
Beyond the Stage
The experiences off-stage are unique and numerous. I took a selfie with a renowned Colombian musician before dancing to his music in a venue that resembled a library, surrounded by adoring Latino fans and bewildered North Europeans.
I had a chance encounter with an exiled Indian journalist in the restroom and engaged in a meaningful conversation. I also learned, through visual demonstrations, about how the world’s largest brands and governments launder money.
I shook hands with Jack Dorsey for the first time and even invited him to surf the world’s largest wave with me in Portugal, but he declined, at least for the time being.
I also enjoyed a sauna and fjord experience with two well-known pseudonymous Bitcoin advocates, as well as many other enriching experiences that are better kept private.
Professionally, I have gained numerous leads related to Bitcoin. As a Bitcoin journalist, I am thrilled to produce more Bitcoin documentaries and provide insights into freedom technologies in the real world. My upcoming trips include Ukraine, Bolivia, and Venezuela, where there are countless untold stories of struggle, survival, financial freedom, and joy.
Fighting Fear with Joy
As Thor Halvorssen, the CEO of the Oslo Freedom Forum, pointed out in his opening speech, the event is not about competing with others over pain. We can find joy and laughter even in the darkest of times.
I briefly met Thor at the after-party and tried to convey how remarkable the forum is. I told him it’s like a TED conference, but on a much larger scale. I worked for TED in 2015 as a master’s student at the University of Edinburgh, so I am familiar with their format, but there’s no comparison. The emotional depth and range offered at the forum are beyond comparison.
Despite Thor’s optimism, there is a recurring theme at the event that has led me to the same conclusion and question: The world is in a dire state. There is so much work to be done. How can I do more?
While the event is breathtaking and exceptional, it also serves as a candid acknowledgment that humans have been inflicting harm on each other for centuries.
In the face of the genocide of the Tutsi, Paul Rusesabagina, the manager of what is now known as Hotel Rwanda, armed himself with speech, saying, “The best weapon is my word.” Faisal Al Mutar echoed this sentiment, using his speeches to fight autocracy and inspire millions of listeners around the world.
If we want to change the world and make it better, we must use our words, our speech, along with joy, resilience, and humanity. Fortunately, these elements are abundant at the forum.
In comparison to Europe’s largest Bitcoin conference, BTC Prague, I must emphasize that the forum is not a Bitcoin conference. However, if I had to choose just one event from the Bitcoin and crypto calendar for next year, it would not be a Bitcoin, crypto, or fintech conference. It would be the Oslo Freedom Forum.
I am already looking forward to next year.
Joe Hall is a freelance journalist and filmmaker who travels the world documenting Bitcoin communities and sharing Bitcoin adoption stories. A former reporter for Cointelegraph, he holds an MA in French and Spanish from the University of Edinburgh and a BA in languages from Sciences Po Lyon. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal or investment advice. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed here are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions of Cointelegraph.