September Luncheon
Introduction
PEN International was founded in 1921, and the PEN Melbourne Centre was established in 1938. I will describe the beginnings of PEN following the end of the First World War, its growth in the dark years leading to the Second World War and its contribution to the human rights movement. The contemporary work of PEN International continues in over 100 centres around the world, guided by the PEN Charter that was established in 1948. An outline of PEN Melbourne’s history, current structure and activities will show the ways we are able to participate in global campaigns as well as our advocacy related to local concerns. I will discuss some Case Studies—past and current—to illustrate PEN Melbourne’s actions for writers at risk. I’d like to include a discussion around the idea of freedom of expression, a concept that is central to PEN’s work, and one that attracts multiple interpretations and diverse opinions, the current challenges we face—not only in PEN, but in society in general.
About the presenter
A PEN Melbourne member for many years, Christine joined the committee in 2010 and edited the PEN Melbourne Quarterly until the end of 2014. She has worked in and for the literary and writing communities in various capacities: as a teacher in Professional Writing and Editing at RMIT; organiser of events for emerging and established writers at La Mama; manager of author tours for Readings Books, Director of the Victorian Writers Centre; manager of the Literature Touring Program (India) at Asialink; writer and editor of digital resources for Curriculum Corporation including aso.gov.au Christine was President of PEN Melbourne from 2014 until 2025 and is currently the secretary.