As we prepare to bid farewell to another challenging year, IFEX Executive Director Annie Game takes a look back at 2021 and has a message of hope for the year to come:

Dear readers,

As 2021 draws to a close, it’s time to reflect on the year gone by — and to make plans for the next, infused with hope and determination for better times ahead.

And we deserve to hope! There’s no doubt that 2021 has been another challenging year for freedom of expression — but time and again, IFEX members have stepped up to these challenges, persisted, and found novel and effective ways to continue our work together.

At IFEX, we have long known the power of solidarity, sharing, and collaboration. We’re including some examples of this below to give you a flavour of the work that goes on all year round across the IFEX network.

As we look ahead to 2022, we of course remain conscious of how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact us all. Not only has COVID changed the free expression landscape, it has also posed unique challenges to all of us, as organisations and as individuals. The way IFEX members have responded to these challenges fills me with inspiration and with hope for the year ahead.

While “be safe, not silent” remains our mantra, be sure that our combined voices will continue to rise and echo as we move into the New Year…together.

All the best for 2022 to you, your families, friends, and colleagues from the team here at IFEX. Our newsletter will be taking a short break over the rest of the holidays, resuming publication the week of 10 January.

Annie Game,
IFEX Executive Director

P.S. We love to hear what you think about IFEX This Week and the issues you want to see us report on — as ever, please use our contact form to get in touch.