About PEN

Sydney PEN started in Australia in 1931, as an affiliate of International PEN, followed soon afterwards by Melbourne PEN.

In February 2006 Professor Nicholas Jose and Dr Lindy Warrell co-founded Adelaide PEN.

Adelaide PEN - as part of the bigger network - makes it possible for people in South Australia to participate in the work of supporting imprisoned and persecuted writers worldwide.

Adelaide PEN is active locally through its Letter-writing subcommittee and Fundraising subcommittee, and is variously involved in raising the profile of PEN at events such as the Adelaide Festival of Arts Writers’ Week and the Festival Fringe, and taking part in conferences such as the Flinders University International Conference: 'Moving Cultures, Shifting Identities'.

Each December Adelaide PEN sends greeting cards of support to writers in prison and their families. Sometimes we get a response.

Through a range of community activities Adelaide PEN also promotes the written word and the transmission of ideas, as a path to better understanding.

In 2006, Adelaide PEN inaugurated 'Denied a Voice', an event that commemorates the International Day of the Imprisoned Writer in November each year.