PEN International

Many people write books and stories.

They can join a group called PEN. This group started in London a long time ago. It helps writers from all lands be friends.

Writing is very important for our world. PEN helps writers share their ideas. They also help writers who are in trouble. Some writers are treated badly for their work. PEN speaks up to help them stay safe.

There are many groups in over 100 lands. They include people who write news or history. They also include people who write plays. This group helps everyone understand each other better. It is a big family of writers.

PEN International is a big group for writers.

It started in London in 1921. A woman named Catherine Amy Dawson Scott helped found it. The group helps writers from all over the world. They want writers to be friends. They also want people to understand each other through books.

This group has centers in more than 100 countries. It is for many kinds of writers. This includes poets, novelists, and people who write news. It also includes historians and people who write plays.

PEN does very important work. They fight for freedom of expression. This means the right to share ideas. Sometimes, writers are in trouble for what they write. They may be put in prison. Some writers are even killed for their views. The Writers in Prison Committee helps these people. They watch over writers who are treated badly.

There are special places to remember these writers. In London, there is a sculpture called Witness. It is an empty chair.

In Canberra, there is a grove of trees. These sites honor the spirit of writing.

PEN International is a large group for people who write.

It was started in London in 1921. A woman named Catherine Amy Dawson Scott helped found the first club. This group helps writers from all over the world become friends. They believe that books help people understand different cultures. They want to build a world community through literature. This group is very important for protecting the right to share ideas.

The group works in many different ways to help its members. It has its main headquarters in London. There are also independent centers in more than 100 countries. These centers are open to many kinds of writers. This includes poets, novelists, and people who write plays. It also includes journalists, historians, and translators. The name PEN used to stand for Poets, Essayists, and Novelists. Now it stands for Poets, Playwrights, Editors, Essayists, and Novelists.

History shows how the group has grown over many years. The first meeting happened at the Florence Restaurant in London. This was on October 5, 1921. John Galsworthy served as the very first president. Many famous writers were among the first members. These included Joseph Conrad, George Bernard Shaw, and H. G. Wells. Later presidents included famous names like Arthur Miller and Toni Morrison. Today, the president of the group is Burhan Sönmez.

One of the most important parts of the group is a special committee. The Writers in Prison Committee was started in 1960. This committee helps writers who are treated badly for their work. They watch over many writers every single year. Some writers are put in prison or threatened for their views. The committee even helps those who have been killed. They publish a list twice a year to show these problems. They also work with a global network called IFEX.

There are also beautiful ways to remember writers who suffered. In Canberra, Australia, there is a special grove of trees. This memorial was opened on November 17, 1997. It has a message about not staying silent. In London, there is a sculpture called Witness. It was made by Antony Gormley for a 90th anniversary. The sculpture is a cast-iron empty chair.

This chair represents writers who are in prison. These memorials help us remember why freedom of expression matters.

PEN International is a global association dedicated to the world of literature and free expression.

Founded in London in 1921, it seeks to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers. The organization believes that literature helps develop mutual understanding and a shared world culture. It acts as a powerful voice for writers who face harassment or imprisonment. Today, it operates as a non-governmental organization with special status at the United Nations. It maintains formal consultative relations with UNESCO to further its global mission.

The structure of the organization relies on a network of autonomous centers. While the headquarters are in London, there are independent PEN Centres in more than 100 countries. These centers welcome many types of literary professionals. This includes poets, playwrights, editors, essayists, and novelists. It also extends to journalists, historians, and translators. By connecting these diverse groups, the association builds a worldwide community of writers. This structure allows local writers to connect with a global movement.

The history of the group began at the Florence Restaurant in London. On October 5, 1921, Catherine Amy Dawson Scott founded the first PEN Club.

She called it "The First International Club of Writers." John Galsworthy served as the organization's first president. Early members included famous figures like Joseph Conrad, George Bernard Shaw, and H. G. Wells. Over the decades, many notable writers have led the group. Past presidents include E. M. Forster, Arthur Miller, and Toni Morrison. Currently, the president of PEN International is Burhan Sönmez.

A vital part of the organization is the Writers in Prison Committee. This committee was established in 1960 to address the silencing of dissent. It monitors the cases of as many as 900 writers every year. These writers may have been imprisoned, threatened, or attacked for their work. The committee also tracks those who have been made to disappear or killed. To document these violations, the committee publishes a bi-annual Case List. This list provides evidence of threats to freedom of expression worldwide.

The committee also engages in active international advocacy and monitoring. It is a founding member of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange, known as IFEX. IFEX is a global network of 90 non-governmental organizations. This network monitors censorship and defends journalists and internet users. PEN is also part of the Tunisia Monitoring Group. This coalition of twenty-one organizations began lobbying the Tunisian government in 2005. They worked to ensure human rights and free expression after the Arab Spring.

In 2016, PEN International took a specific stand regarding Iran. The organization joined seven other groups to protest against the sentencing of certain artists. They called on Iranian authorities to drop charges against musicians Mehdi Rajabian and Yousef Emadi. They also supported filmmaker Hossein Rajabian. Such actions demonstrate how the organization uses its platform to protect creators. Through these campaigns, PEN coordinates its membership to fight the suppression of ideas.

To honor those who have suffered, the organization uses meaningful memorials. In Canberra, Australia, there is a memorial grove of trees by Lake Burley Griffin. Opened on November 17, 1997, it bears a dedication about the cost of silence.

In London, a different memorial stands outside the British Library.

This is a cast-iron sculpture called "Witness," created by Antony Gormley. It depicts an empty chair, which was a symbol used for 30 years to represent imprisoned writers. These sites serve as lasting reminders of the importance of literary freedom.

Beyond advocacy, PEN is deeply connected to the literary community through awards. Various PEN affiliations offer many different literary awards across a broad spectrum. These awards celebrate the skill and contribution of writers globally. By recognizing excellence, the organization reinforces the value of the written word. This connection between protection and celebration helps sustain the global literary landscape. It ensures that literature remains a central part of human culture.