PEN Canada

PEN Canada is a Canadian literary and human-rights organization affiliated with PEN International, the global association of writers and freedom-of-expression advocates. Founded in 1926, it brings together writers and supporters who campaign for the right to freedom of expression in Canada and abroad. Its work combines international advocacy for writers facing censorship, imprisonment, persecution, exile or violence with domestic monitoring of Canadian laws and public policies that may restrict expression. The organization’s international work has historically been coordinated through its Writers in Prison Committee, which advocates for writers, journalists, academics and other literary figures who have been detained, threatened, disappeared or killed because of their work or views. The committee has monitored cases in countries including Myanmar, China, Iran, Turkey, Mexico, Eritrea and Uzbekistan. PEN Canada also marks the International Day of the Imprisoned Writer on November 15 and has reported the release of dozens of honorary members from prison since 2003. Its advocacy sits within the broader PEN movement, whose centres have supported prominent writers and public intellectuals such as Václav Havel, Aung San Suu Kyi, Salman Rushdie and Orhan Pamuk. PEN Canada’s Writers in Exile Network addresses the professional and social consequences of forced displacement. Through partnerships with universities, colleges and other Canadian institutions, the network helps writers who have obtained asylum in Canada reconnect with literary and academic communities. The City of Toronto/PEN Canada Writer in Exile Fellowship has provided a refugee writer with a year of membership at the Toronto Writers’ Centre, supporting professional re-entry and access to Canadian literary networks. The organization also operates public education and community programs. The TAXI Project and Readers & Writers initiatives use readings, performances and school or community events to examine freedom of expression through the arts. In Canada, the Canadian Issues Committee acts as a watchdog on legislation and government action that may conflict with the freedom of expression protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. PEN Canada participates in Freedom to Read Week through public programming designed to increase awareness of censorship, challenged books and the broader conditions necessary for open cultural debate. PEN Canada’s membership has included influential Canadian writers, editors, artists and cultural figures, including Margaret Atwood, Adrienne Clarkson, John Ralston Saul, David Cronenberg and Yann Martel. Its principal public recognition program, the One Humanity Award, honours an international writer, journalist, academic or PEN honorary member who has endured repression or demonstrated exceptional courage in exercising freedom of expression. Award recipients have included Jiang Weiping, Zarganar, Lydia Cacho, Sayed Pervez Kambaksh, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Liu Xiaobo, Dieu Cay, Raif Badawi, Eskinder Nega, Azimjon Askarov and Ashraf Fayadh.

PEN Canada was founded in 1926 as the Canadian centre of the international PEN movement. PEN, whose name originated as an abbreviation for poets, essayists and novelists, developed into a broader association of writers and supporters committed to literary exchange, mutual solidarity and freedom of expression. PEN Canada became part of the international network of PEN centres and later participated in the International Freedom of Expression Exchange network. Over the course of its history, the Canadian centre developed a dual mandate. Internationally, it has advocated for writers and other public voices subjected to censorship, imprisonment, persecution, exile and violence. Its Writers in Prison Committee has handled cases involving writers in a range of countries, including Myanmar, China, Iran, Turkey, Mexico, Eritrea and Uzbekistan. The committee’s activities include publicizing cases, communicating with authorities, supporting international campaigns and drawing attention to the risks faced by writers who challenge state or political power. PEN Canada observes the International Day of the Imprisoned Writer each November 15. The centre’s international advocacy has formed part of the wider PEN movement’s campaigns on behalf of prominent figures including Václav Havel, Aung San Suu Kyi, Salman Rushdie and Orhan Pamuk. PEN Canada has also recognized people who experienced severe repression through its One Humanity Award, created in 2006. Recipients listed by the organization or in reference material include Jiang Weiping, Zarganar, Lydia Cacho, Sayed Pervez Kambaksh, Nasrin Sotoudeh, Liu Xiaobo, Dieu Cay, Raif Badawi, Eskinder Nega, Azimjon Askarov and Ashraf Fayad. A second major phase of PEN Canada’s work has focused on writers displaced by persecution. The Writers in Exile Network builds relationships with Canadian universities, colleges and other institutions so that writers granted asylum can reconnect with professional communities and continue developing their work. The City of Toronto/PEN Canada Writer in Exile Fellowship has supported this goal by offering a refugee writer a year of membership at the Toronto Writers’ Centre. PEN Canada has also pursued freedom-of-expression work within Canada. Its Canadian Issues Committee monitors legislation and public actions that may restrict the freedom of expression protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Through Freedom to Read Week activities, the organization has brought public attention to censorship and access to literature. The TAXI Project and Readers & Writers programs extend these concerns into schools and communities through readings, performances and conversations involving established authors, community writers, actors and writers in exile. The organization has drawn members and leaders from Canada’s literary and cultural establishment. Its recorded presidents include Margaret Atwood, Timothy Findley, Graeme Gibson, June Callwood, John Ralston Saul, Nelofer Pazira, Charles Foran, Richard Stursberg and Grace Westcott. Ira Wells is identified as president from 2025. PEN Canada’s continuing identity is therefore that of a membership-based literary organization whose cultural activities support a broader human-rights mission: protecting the ability of writers and readers to create, publish, discuss and access ideas without censorship or reprisal.

• 2025

  Ira Wells becomes president

  [1]PEN Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  Ira Wells begins the presidency after Grace Westcott’s term.

• 2006

  One Humanity Award begins

  [1]PEN Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  PEN Canada starts an award for individuals who have endured repression or defended freedom of expression courageously.

• 2003

  Documented prison-release advocacy period begins

  [1]PEN Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  PEN Canada records the release of 33 honorary members from prison from January 2003 onward.

• 1926

  PEN Canada is founded

  [1]PEN Canadaen.wikipedia.org

  Canada establishes a PEN centre within the international writers’ organization.

A Canadian literary-rights organization positioned at the intersection of writers’ advocacy, international human rights, freedom-of-expression monitoring and cultural programming.

• Advocacy program

  Writers in Prison Committee

  A casework and campaigning program supporting writers, journalists, academics and other literary figures who are imprisoned, persecuted, threatened, disappeared or killed because of their expression. It addresses cases across multiple countries and helps connect Canadian advocacy with the international PEN network.

• Fellowship and integration program

  Writers in Exile Network

  A partnership network linking writers who have found asylum in Canada with universities, colleges and other institutions. Its purpose is to help displaced writers rebuild professional connections and continue their literary work in Canada.

• Award · 2006

  One Humanity Award

  An international award presented since 2006 to a writer, journalist, academic or PEN honorary member who has experienced repression or demonstrated courage in exercising freedom of expression.

• Arts and education program

  TAXI Project

  A public-facing initiative exploring freedom of expression through artistic activity, including participation by actors, writers in exile, established authors and community writers in schools and community settings.

• Literary outreach program

  Readers & Writers

  A program using readings, events and community engagement to connect authors and audiences while examining the social importance of free expression.

• Policy monitoring

  Canadian Issues Committee

  A domestic watchdog function that examines Canadian legislation and public actions affecting freedom of expression under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

• Writers in Prison advocacy

  International

  PEN Canada advocates for approximately 25–30 persecuted, imprisoned or murdered writers at a time, working on cases in countries including Myanmar, China, Iran, Turkey, Mexico, Eritrea and Uzbekistan.

  Outcome. The organization reports that 33 honorary members were released from prison from January 2003 onward.

  Source
• Writers in Exile Network

  Canada

  The network forms partnerships with Canadian educational and cultural institutions to help writers granted asylum re-enter professional literary life.

  Outcome. It provides institutional placements and related opportunities, including the Toronto Writers’ Centre fellowship.

  Source
• Freedom to Read Week programming

  Canada

  PEN Canada organizes events during Freedom to Read Week to raise awareness of censorship, challenged literature and freedom of expression.

  Outcome. The program extends the organization’s domestic public-education and advocacy mission.

  Source

• 2006

  Create the One Humanity AwardOther

  Background

  PEN Canada sought a recurring way to recognize people outside Canada who had faced repression or defended freedom of expression.

  Action taken

  The organization introduced the One Humanity Award for an international writer, journalist, academic or honorary PEN member.

  Aftermath

  The award has subsequently been given to recipients including Jiang Weiping, Lydia Cacho, Liu Xiaobo, Raif Badawi and Ashraf Fayad.

  Source

• Expand support for writers in exile in CanadaStrategy

  Background

  Writers forced to leave their countries may face professional isolation after obtaining asylum in Canada.

  Action taken

  PEN Canada developed the Writers in Exile Network and a Toronto-based fellowship with institutional partners.

  Aftermath

  The programs provide displaced writers with placements, professional contacts and access to Canadian literary communities.

  Source

1. 1PEN Canadaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2PEN Canada official websitepencanada.ca