 A Global Literary Community | |
| Formation | 1926[1] |
|---|---|
| Type | Non-profit Organization,Literary society,Lobbying[1] |
| Legal status | Association |
| Purpose | Publication,Advocacy,Lobbying,Literary Awards[1] |
| Headquarters | London, UK |
| Location | |
| Coordinates | 43°38′56″N79°24′09″W / 43.648819°N 79.402571°W /43.648819; -79.402571 |
Region served | Canada[1] |
Official language | English |
President | Ira Wells |
Key people | Board of Directors[1] |
Parent organization | International PEN |
| Affiliations | International Freedom of Expression Exchange |
| Website | pencanada |
| Remarks | PEN Canada is the representative of International Pen, for whole of Canada |
PEN Canada is one of the 148 centres ofPEN International. Founded in 1926, it has a membership of over 1,000 writers and supporters who campaign on behalf of writers around the world who are persecuted, imprisoned and exiled for exercising their right tofreedom of expression.[1]
Since its founding, various PEN Centers around the world have campaigned on behalf of such acclaimed writers as Czech playwrightVáclav Havel,Nobel Peace Prize winnerAung San Suu Kyi of Burma, novelistSalman Rushdie and Turkey's 2006 Nobel laureate in literature,Orhan Pamuk. PEN Canada is a member of theInternational Freedom of Expression Exchange network.[2]
Over the years, PEN Canada membership has included many of the leading figures in the Canadian literary and cultural establishment, includingMargaret Atwood,Adrienne Clarkson,John Ralston Saul,David Cronenberg andYann Martel.
TheWriters in Prison Committee advocates on behalf of 25-30 persecuted, imprisoned and murdered writers in countries such as Myanmar, China, Iran, Turkey, Mexico, Eritrea and Uzbekistan. Since January 2003, PEN Canada has seen the release from prison of 33 Honorary Members. International PEN'sDay of the Imprisoned Writer is marked on November 15. The PEN Canada One Humanity Award honours a writer, journalist, academic or PEN Canada Honorary Member outside of Canada.
The Writers in Exile Network establishes partnerships with Canadian universities, colleges and other institutions to create placements for writers who have found asylum in Canada, so that they may re-professionalize their skills in their new country. The City of Toronto/PEN Canada Writer in Exile Fellowship allows a refugee writer to be a member of the Toronto Writers’ Centre for one year.
The TAXI Project and Readers & Writers "explore freedom of expression through the arts" with actors, writers in exile and established and community authors participating in schools and community readings and events.
The Canadian Issues Committee run by PEN Canada acts as a watchdog on legislation and actions in Canada that violate the right tofreedom of expression guaranteed under theCanadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
PEN Canada also participates in Freedom to Read Week by holding events to raise awareness about freedom of expression.
The One Humanity Award has been given since 2006 to an international writer, journalist, academic, or honorary PEN member who has endured repression or shown courage in exercising their freedom of expression. The honour has been awarded to:
