Focus Regions
PEN America works to protect freedom of expression and promote fundamental rights around the world, with particular emphasis in Focus Regions where we have developed expertise and built relationships with people and organizations on the ground. Read below to learn more about PEN America’s initiatives to help address distinct regional challenges in these areas and how you can be part of these important efforts.
Many challenges to free expression transcend state and regional boundaries. Learn more about our approaches to these Focus Issues.
United States
The United States proudly stands as a haven for free expression at home and a champion of free speech abroad. PEN America works to ensure that the United States… More
Saudi Arabia
PEN America's Saudi Arabia advocacy focuses on ensuring justice for Jamal Khashoggi’s murder and calling for the release of imprisoned writers. More
Bangladesh
The climate for free expression in Bangladesh has significantly deteriorated: Radical Islamist groups have claimed the killings of six bloggers, free thinkers, and their publishers since February 2015, and… More
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PEN America On 
Schools across the U.S. have been caught up in spirited debates over how #history should be taught.
@nytimes talked to social studies #teachers about how they run their classrooms, what they teach and why.
Watch and read free via this gift link: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/17/us/teaching-critical-race-theory.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxfs9gGPzNiGeVTdcwqNPW9LavB-dIvM8IMYomCiWTdRBMbkgAfdoz_NeNEVpDhOhqZbBhJQIJD8k74KvW2d8l7T8YYcFyx64JG-oNLU4g7y5ox-cOTOsAOOIzyEqJFs288RgaVGrjXEXwq_OFfp_0tB1wfghUcstQTcDNyCBuOL6SEkrYKXwZRnX7gk2WehfSGuTyYbas-RcBV0UXVHWT3p_4nI-4cdfPr4UNKX_KR0neqnukOlbSzwofMryWcpHF8WDnK5qsLXNtRWH1MKyov09H65Rt7_F2X2oS7FaKXXnHSnv0nYLFrr9GQ&smid=tw-share
I wish I could be there. https://twitter.com/PENamerica/status/1559648230018666496
For many, defending Mr. Rushdie and “The Satanic Verses” against his would-be assassins may be easy, PEN America President @ayadakhtar, told the @nyimes this week. But the defense also “has to apply where we have less unanimity, where we are more implicated.” (1/2)
