VISION
PEN Canada envisions a world where writers are free to write, readers are free to read, and freedom of expression prevails.
MISSION
PEN Canada is a nonpartisan organization of writers, and readers, that works with others to defend freedom of expression as a basic human right, at home and abroad. PEN Canada promotes literature, fights censorship, helps free persecuted writers from prison, and assists exiled writers who live in Canada.
VALUES
FREEDOM | We believe that without freedom of expression there is no freedom.
ACCOUNTABILITY | In defending persecuted writers and fighting censorship, we endeavor to advance civil society, human rights, and the dignity of the individual.
COOPERATION and DIVERSITY | As an association of writers, connected by a network of PEN centers worldwide, we benefit from our diversity, and from the effectiveness and influence that comes from working together. Please read our statement on diversity and inclusivity.
UNDERSTANDING | We believe that literature helps bridge differences and foster understanding between people.
LEADERSHIP | We provide nonpartisan leadership in defending freedom of expression.
INTEGRITY | We strive to uphold high ethical standards in everything we do.
RECOGNITION | We recognize that our success comes from the commitment of members, employees, volunteers, funders, and other supporters.
PEN International Charter
The P.E.N. Charter is based on resolutions passed at its International Congresses and may be summarized as follows:
PEN affirms that:
Literature knows no frontiers and must remain common currency among people in spite of political or international upheavals.
In all circumstances, and particularly in time of war, works of art, the patrimony of humanity at large, should be left untouched by national or political passion.
Members of PEN should at all times use what influence they have in favour of good understanding and mutual respect between nations; they pledge themselves to do their utmost to dispel race, class and national hatreds, and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace in one world.
PEN stands for the principle of unhampered transmission of thought within each nation and between all nations, and members pledge themselves to oppose any form of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community to which they belong, as well as throughout the world wherever this is possible. PEN declares for a free press and opposes arbitrary censorship in time of peace. It believes that the necessary advance of the world towards a more highly organized political and economic order renders a free criticism of governments, administrations and institutions imperative. And since freedom implies voluntary restraint, members pledge themselves to oppose such evils of a free press as mendacious publication, deliberate falsehood and distortion of facts for political and personal ends.
Membership in PEN is open to all qualified writers, editors and translators who subscribe to these aims, without regard to nationality, ethnic origin, language, colour or religion.
November 2003
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms – Section 2(b)
Everyone has the…freedom of thought, belief, opinion and expression, including freedom of the press and other media of communication.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights – Article 19
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.