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 Institutes for Summer 2023
Los Angeles - June 26-30, 2023
Open to high school and college students. Admissions are rolling.
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Washington, DC - July 31 - August 4, 2023
Open to high school students. Admissions are rolling.
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More Opportunities
Freedom to Read Student Ambassadors Town Halls
Led by graduates of PEN America and Brooklyn Public Library’s Freedom to Read Advocacy Institute, this series convenes high school students for monthly online town halls to meet and collaborate on advocacy against book bans.
Register Now 
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 - 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.
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Join our LinkedIn Group
Networking is key in the professional field of free expression advocacy. Former fellows, interns, and students of PEN America are invited to join our LinkedIn group to stay in touch.
Join us Events
Freedom to Read Student Ambassadors Town Hall – July 2023
ThuJuly 132023
Free Event Online Student Town Hall Town Halls Virtual
PEN America and Brooklyn Public Library are excited to continue our Freedom to Read Student Ambassadors Town Halls for high school students this July! This collaborative forum for our certified Freedom to Read Student Ambassadors and other young advocates will allow participants to connect with each other and share successful advocacy solutions in the […]
Global Press Freedom Student Summit – New York City
TueJune 132023
Free Event In Person Student Summit
PEN America is coming to the San Francisco Public Library this March to host our first-ever Freedom to Learn Student Summit for high school students in Northern California.
2023 Pride Picnic with Next Gen PEN America
FriJune 162023
Free Event Student Summit
PEN America and the Artists at Risk Connection “Let’s Say Gay! Picnic and Play” will celebrate LGBTQ+ literature and activism during Pride.
