PEN Perth is the Western Australian centre of PEN International, promoting literature, defending freedom of expression and advocating for writers at risk around the world. Through our Writers in Prison program, we’ve campaigned for imprisoned writers including Murray Hunter, Alaa Abd el-Fattah and Hany Babu. We’re delighted that Murray Hunter and Alaa Abd el-Fattah have now been released, while Hany Babu is currently on bail as legal proceedings continue.

We invite you to join us on Thursday 20 August at Centre for Stories, Northbridge, for our Annual General Meeting at 5 pm, followed at 6 pm by Poems of War and Peace, presented in association with the Perth Poetry Festival 2026. Hosted by Vivienne Glance, the evening features Afeif Ismail, Lakshmi Kanchi and international guest Dr Ishraga Mustafa Hamid (Austria) exploring themes of war, peace and hope through poetry.

We’re also seeking enthusiastic new committee members, particularly students and emerging professionals interested in literature, human rights, communications, events or social media.

AGM (free):
https://events.humanitix.com/pen-perth-annual-general-meeting-2026

Poems of War and Peace:
https://events.humanitix.com/poems-of-war-and-peace

Please register if you’d like to come along.