Every day I think about the best way to make a difference.

Much of the suffering people across the globe are enduring is due in part to lies that benefit someone in power. Writers are often those punished for telling the truth.

In London, a small group of dedicated people at PEN International intervene on the behalf of writers at risk—with support, advocacy, money, and, in some cases, relocation.

It’s a bare-bones organization, but one that profoundly affects lives.

If you are able, please consider contributing during their summer appeal. And/or please pass this one to anyone you think might align with their mission.

Thank you for taking a moment to consider.

All best,

Laura

From PEN International:

Our program provides a wide range of practical help to writers all over the world, wherever the need is greatest.

Global threats to culture and freedom of expression, as part of a widespread attack on human rights, are more alarming than ever before. This includes an increase in serious harassment and attacks on writers and journalists, which are attacks on imagination, creativity, information, and knowledge. The writers we help are persecuted, imprisoned, and sometimes worse, in places as far afield as Afghanistan, Belarus, Myanmar, Palestine, Ukraine, Nicaragua and Uganda, to name but a few.

Over recent years, we have needed to expand our humanitarian support, as well as campainging on specific cases and providing solidarity. Last year, we facilitated emergency grants for 80+ writers in dire straits, more than in previous years. We also provided emergency relocation for 100+ writers in danger, and their dependents.