The International PEN Club was founded in 1921 in London at the initiative of writers John Galsworthy and Catherine Amy Dawson-Scott. Galsworthy became the organization's first president, and its first members included Herbert Wells, Bernard Shaw and Joseph Conrad.
PEN became one of the first international human rights organizations, as well as the first international writers' association. The main values of the PEN are enshrined in its Charter, which was ratified in 1948. PEN opposes all forms of discrimination and restrictions on freedom of expression, promotes understanding between peoples and protects the cultural heritage of mankind.
In the 21st century, PEN centers have stopped using the word "club" in their names, which indicates the closed nature of the organization. That is why today it is correct to speak International PEN and PEN Ukraine.