CILIP Conference 2024 has a particular focus on “intellectual freedom and its associated themes of freedom of expression, censorship and information rights” and Daniel Gorman, Director of English PEN - an organisation that is focused on protecting human rights and freedom of expression - will be helping to explore some of those themes.

Daniel has been working in a broad movement that has linked arts and human rights for over 20 years, including as director of Firefly International, co-founder of Highlight Arts, and as co-director of Shubbak Festival.He joined English PEN as Director in 2019, and says: “Back in 2014 I was working on a tour of Syrian authors to the UK (including the wonderful and much missed Khaled Khalifa). We were honoured to present that tour in partnership with English PEN, that was my first proper introduction to the organisation, and following various partnerships when I was co-director of the Shubbak Festival, I became more and more engaged in the organisation. There’s no other organisation like PEN, working at that intersection of literature and human rights, and the more I found out about the history of PEN, the details of the PEN Charter, the more intrigued I became.”

Writers for writers

English PEN is one of the oldest organisations working to protect human rights, as Daniel explains: “English PEN was founded by writers, for writers. We are one of the world’s oldest human rights organisations, and the first to point out that freedom of expression and literature are inseparable – a principle we continue to champion today.

“We campaign for writers across the world and celebrate contemporary international writing through events, prizes, our translation programme, and our online magazine PEN Transmissions. We envision a world in which freedom of expression and equity of opportunity for readers and writers can be enjoyed universally.”

That includes an international element, with more than 130 PEN centres in over 90 countries operating and the international secretariat, PEN International, of which Daniel says: “I tend to think of them as the hub and us centres as the spokes on the wheel – we all work independently but to the shared aims of the PEN Charter (www.englishpen.org/the-pen-charter) which guides all our work.”

That Charter is underpinned by four key components, including: “PEN stands for the principle of unhampered transmission of thought within each nation and between all nations, and members pledge themselves to oppose any form of suppression of freedom of expression in the country and community to which they belong, as well as throughout the world wherever this is possible.”

Global demand

English PEN was founded by writer Catherine Amy Dawson Scott in 1921, and one of its earliest aims was to foster international connections between writers. Daniel points out that there is perhaps more need than ever to have a global outlook as it supports individuals.

“While the context and place within which writers work has an impact on their ability to express themselves freely,” says Daniel, “I think it’s fair to say that we are currently in a crisis of human rights globally and, along with that, we are witnessing a crisis of freedom of expression. This is experienced differently depending on the places and the individuals and communities who are affected, so we tend to work on two different but related avenues of support – individual support and broader campaigns to support freedom of expression.

"Individual support can help individual writers to be able to continue their work, whilst our campaigns tend to focus on the legislative, or specific emblematic cases. The common theme is that freedom of expression is a vital right, and one for which we must continue to campaign.”

Increase in conflict

Those rights can be even harder to protect during times of conflict, and so it is no surprise that English PEN is taking action at home and abroad. Daniel says: “The level of conflict on a global scale right now is heartbreaking and traumatising.

English PEN has repeatedly called for a ceasefire in current conflicts. We are working closely with partners, in particular in Ukraine and Gaza, with the aim of supporting writers and journalists and doing everything we can to bring these conflicts to an end. We will also continue to urge the UK government to take measures to protect the lives and human rights of journalists, writers, and those affected by conflict.”

Home front

And while these international conflicts continue to dominate headlines, there is also work closer to home. Even in peacetime democracies there are occasions where freedom of expression is threatened – whether that is through legislation, intimidation, or intolerance.

For an organisation like English PEN, it is important to retain a level of impartiality – especially in a time where there appears to be growing intolerance of different viewpoints and opinions.

Daniel says that English PEN looks carefully at how it supports writers and seeks to protect wider freedoms, saying: “One of the ways in which we select our campaigns tends to be a focus on the legislative – looking at current and proposed legislation which will negatively impact on the freedom of expression affecting all those in the UK.

“Here, in the UK, and around the world, intolerance, division, and threats to freedom of expression are on the rise, so along with the legislative side of things our work focuses on cohesion, community, and finding strength in collaboration.”

He says that it is not always straightforward to find the right balance, adding: “It’s not easy, but I am keen on working to better develop a culture of ‘calling in’. Trying to open up spaces for dialogue, where people can explore questions and concerns without feeling demonised, can hopefully help stop the polarised discourses we are seeing today. To do so is not simple, and having clear parameters and good facilitation is vital.”

PEN and CILIP

There is a clear link between the work of English PEN and that being undertaken by CILIP’s members, with both adhering to values and ethical principles around freedom of expression and freedom of access to information. As Daniel points out “English PEN champions the freedom to write AND the freedom to read. Libraries are a vital, crucial aspect of this– they need more support and funding from government!”

There is scope in that connection to learn from each other, helping to deliver support through those values that enhance everybody’s freedoms and rights. Daniel says: “I think we as an organisation can learn a huge amount from our colleagues in the library sector, in particular how to showcase diverse views and how to hold space for learning and dialogue within communities,” adding that libraries and librarians can “look to what trusted organisations are saying and don’t be afraid to reach out for guidance and support, including to English PEN where useful”.

CILIP Conference

This year’s conference will feature the usual mix of keynote speakers, workshops, panel discussions and plenty of opportunity to network with colleagues and make new connections. Conference will focus on meeting the needs of leaders, future leaders and aspiring leaders with topics that are shaping conversations and “Top of Mind” issues.

The two-day event will deliver a broad programme, including streams on talent development, knowledge management, information management and much more. The Top of Mind issue at this year’s conference will cover:

Intellectual freedom, censorship and information rights

Developing future literacy as a leader

The sector’s response to the UN Sustainability Goals

Storytelling for impact

Crisis and strategic communications

Building future resilience in the face of continuing resource and budget pressures.

And don’t forget there are plenty of bursaries and grants on offer to help make it easier to attend. Visit the conference website to find out if you are eligible and how to apply.

A limited run Early Bird booking is currently available (limited number of tickets so do hurry to take advantage of the special offer!) Keep an eye out for more details on the programme in upcoming issues of Information Professional, and visit www.cilipconference.org.uk for more details and to book your place.

Taking place on 10 and 11 July and returning to Birmingham, the UK’s only cross-sector event for library, information and knowledge management professionals and leaders, is an opportunity to come together as a community, build connections and strengthen networks. Book your place at www.cilipconference.org.uk.