In time of division between countries, International PEN is one of the rare institutions to keep a bridge constantly open
Mario Vargas Llosa

International PEN is the leading voice of literature and represents writers in 101 countries. The Melbourne PEN Centre is one of 145 centres worldwide. Members are united in a common concern for the art of writing and freedom of expression.

PEN was established in England in 1921. Each centre acts independently but maintains strong links with headquarters in London and with other centres. The organisation works locally, regionally and internationally to understand the needs of writers and to protect them.

The Melbourne PEN Centre focuses on writers in prison, reconciliation, women writers and international work, especially in the Asia and Pacific region. It campaigns on behalf of persecuted writers and lets them know they are not alone. Our quarterly newsletter keeps members up to date with PEN events and provides a forum for members to publish relevant works.

Committee members

President – Arnold Zable
Treasurer – Tom Shapcott
Secretary – Jackie Mansourian
Vice-Presidents – Judith Rodriguez and Judith Buckrich
Writers in Prison rep – Toni Jordan
Newsletter editor – Christine McKenzie
Asia and Pacific rep – Berni Janssen
Website – Paddy O’Reilly
Liaison with Independent Chinese PEN Centre – Helen Ian
Members – Elaine Lewis, Cynthia Troup, Robert Cope.

Honorary members

Seedy Bojang
Journalist and writer from The Gambia. After the closure of independent newspapers in The Gambia, Seedy was briefly employed by the government supported Gambia newspaper. His employment was terminated because he would not write articles supporting the government.

Wajeha Al Huwaider
Writer and women’s rights activist from Saudi Arabia. Wajeha has been an often lone voice for women’s rights, campaigning for women to be allowed to drive cars and against their treatment as second class citizens.

Zhang Jianhong
Writer, playwright, poet and member of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre, Zhang was imprisoned from 1989-1991 for his pro-democracy activities. Zhang was arrested on 6 September 2006 and charged with “incitement to subversion of state power” and “defaming the Chinese government”. Zhang was sentenced to six years in prison and one year’s deprivation of political rights on 19 March 2007.

Ann Bihan
New Caledonian poet and dramaturg. She has long been passionate about translation and has been a member of ATLAS (Assises de la traduction littéraire en Arles – Annual Translators’ Congress in Arles) since 1987; she is also a representative of the New Caledonian branch of Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières).

Asia and Pacific Writers Network

APWN was initiated by the Melbourne PEN Centre, in partnership with Asialink.

The Asia and Pacific Writers Network is an alliance of writers, individuals and organizations who work with language and stories, in all their forms.

APWN includes novelists, journalists, playwrights, poets, publishers, editors, academics, documentary-makers, storytellers.

As a PEN initiative we aim to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere; to fight for freedom of speech; to work for good understanding and respect between nations; and to champion the ideal of one humanity living in peace in one world.

International PEN Women Writers Committee

The International PEN Women Writers Committee (IPWWC) was created in 1991 to address the special needs of women writers. Women writers throughout the world continue to lack access to resources. There are countries in which a book by a woman author has never been published. Family and other pressures upon women are also integral to the conditions which necessitate PEN trying to find effective ways to protect and support women writers. The IPWWC now enjoys representation in over 70 PEN Centres. There is also a marked increase in the visibility of women writers within International PEN.

Other sites you might like to visit

Asia and Pacific Writers Network
International PEN Women Writers’ Committee
International PEN