International PEN

International PEN, the worldwide association of writers, was founded in London in 1921[1] to promote friendship and intellectual co-operation among writers everywhere. PEN originally stood for "Poets, Essayists and Novelists",[2] but now includes writers of any form of literature, such as journalists and historians. Other goals included: to emphasise the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture; to fight for freedom of expression; and to act as a powerful voice on behalf of writers harassed, imprisoned and sometimes killed for their views. It is the world’s oldest human rights organization[3] and the oldest international literary organization.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_PEN