International PEN: support for writers to promote freedom of expression

http://www.internationalpen.org.uk/ International PEN was founded in London in 1921 by Mrs. C.A. Dawson Scott. Its first president was John Galsworthy.

It's an acronym they chose for the group after someone pointed out that the words for 'Poet,' for 'Essayist,' and for 'Novelist' in most European languages have the same initial letter (P-E-N).

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