JOIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF FREE EXPRESSION ADVOCATES
PEN America is committed to empowering a new generation of free expression advocates and building a youth advocacy network that can work together to facilitate positive change. We regularly invite students to support and engage in our national and international advocacy efforts, and actively seek ways to amplify and encourage students’ own free expression advocacy projects.
Get notified about Next Gen PEN America opportunities:
Upcoming Opportunities
Free Expression Essay Competition
PEN America is inviting submissions for a national student essay competition about the role of free expression in today’s world. If you’re in high school or college, PEN America wants to know what you think about the threats to this crucial right!
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Free Expression Leadership Fellows Program - Spring 2023
PEN America is offering a 14-week professional Free Expression Leadership Fellows Program for undergraduate and graduate students passionate about human rights, the written word, and free expression in the United States and worldwide. Applications are currently closed.
Free Expression Advocacy Institute – Spring 2023 – Online
PEN America’s Spring 2022 Free Expression Advocacy Institute is an intensive, online, eight-week, educational and training program where high school and college students can learn the theories, laws, histories, and methodologies behind free expression advocacy. Applications are currently closed.
Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute Spring 2023 - Online
PEN America and Brooklyn Public Library are offering an online, four-week educational and training program for high school students to prepare them to combat book banning and fight for the freedom to read in schools, libraries, and communities across the country.
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Free Expression Leadership Fellows Program - Summer 2023
PEN America is offering a 14-week professional Free Expression Leadership Fellows Program for undergraduate and graduate students passionate about human rights, the written word, and free expression in the United States and worldwide. Webpage coming soon.
Free Expression Advocacy Institute – Summer 2023 – Los Angeles
PEN America’s Summer 2023 Free Expression Advocacy Institute in Los Angeles is an intensive week-long educational and training program where high school and college students can learn the theories, laws, histories, and methodologies behind free expression advocacy.
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Free Expression Advocacy Institute – Summer 2023 – New York City
PEN America’s Summer 2023 Free Expression Advocacy Institute in New York City is an intensive week-long educational and training program where high school and college students can learn the theories, laws, histories, and methodologies behind free expression advocacy..
Learn More 
Free Expression Advocacy Institute – Summer 2023 – Washington DC
PEN America’s Summer 2023 Free Expression Advocacy Institute in Washington, DC is an intensive week-long educational and training program where high school and college students can learn the theories, laws, histories, and methodologies behind free expression advocacy.
Learn More We're on LinkedIn!
This LinkedIn group is for former fellows, interns, and students of PEN America to stay in touch.
Events
PEN America at the Fall 2022 Augustana Symposium Day
WedOctober 122022
Free Event In Person
On 10/12, PEN America travels to Augustana College for Symposium Day to deliver Keynote and Workshop on Civil Discourse.
Let’s Say Gay! Picnic and Play
FriJune 242022
Free Event
PEN America and the Artists at Risk Connection “Let’s Say Gay! Picnic and Play” will celebrate LGBTQ+ literature and activism during Pride.
[VIRTUAL] Free Speech Live!: Art Against Oppression
WedJune 92021
Webinar
With artists taking risks to counter oppression, how can young people engage in advocacy and activism to support the right to artistic freedom?
