On Wednesday 3 May 2023, Difference Day will take place for the ninth time in a row at Bozar, in the centre of Brussels. As on previous occasions, we will highlight in lectures, debates, panel discussions and documentaries the importance of press freedom and free speech worldwide, and the fight against the repression of these freedoms in more and more places. 

We cordially invite you to this ninth edition of Difference Day, which starts at 12h30 with a 'Student Speakers Corner' and ends at 17h00 with a conversation with Ravish Kumar and Jennifer Clement, who are the recipients of this year's Difference Day Honorary Title for Freedom of Expression. At 17h30, the reception opens in festive fashion: an ideal time to reflect on the fascinating event over a snack and a drink.

The full programme of Difference Day, with a wide range of speakers discussing different aspects of the current state of journalism and press freedom, is available here.

On Difference Day

Difference Day is organised by Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université libre de Bruxelles, Erasmushogeschool Brussel and Bozar on the initiative of former VUB rector Caroline Pauwels (1964-2022) and in collaboration with various partners, including EED. The event always takes place on World Press Freedom Day, which was declared by the United Nations in 1993 – this year 30 years ago - to raise awareness of the importance of press freedom and remind governments to respect their duty to uphold the right to freedom of expression. 

In 2023, Difference Day continues to honour people, institutions and organisations that make a difference in propagating and promoting freedom of expression, but without absolutising it.

We look forward to welcoming you and underscoring with you the importance of freedom of the press and of expression on 3 May, under the banner of ‘Speak freely, listen respectfully, different opinions matter’.

REGISTER HERE FOR DIFFERENCE DAY 2023