The purpose of the fund is to strengthen Norwegian PEN’s work within the freedom of expression. “Congratulations to Norwegian PEN for establishing this fund. We are proud to contribute to such an important societal initiative, supporting the freedom of expression in Norway and internationally,” says Schibsted CEO, Kristin Skogen Lund.
Work to establish the fund has been going on for the past year. “We are immensely grateful and proud that the fund is established and for this important investment contribution in our common freedom of expression,” says William Nygaard, Chairman of the Board of Norwegian PEN.
“The core of Schibsted deals with reliable information. Without freedom of speech, we would not be able to conceive and distribute accurate and reliable information. Our participation in the fund is therefore closely linked to our mission,” says Ole Jacob Sunde, Chair of the Schibsted Board.
Norwegian PEN carries out its work for freedom of expression nationally and internationally, often in collaboration with other actors.
See PEN’s press release here (in Norwegian)
About PEN
Norwegian PEN is the Norwegian division of PEN International, the world’s largest organization for writers and freedom of expression, founded in 1921. PEN International’s initiator, Cathrine Amy Dawson-Scott, described the organization as a “republic of the words, which will unite nations”. PEN was founded as an international literary club that should also be a body to fight for authors’ and other writers’ right to freedom of expression. The abbreviation means “Poets, Essayists and Novelists», or «Poets, Editors and Novelists” – a dispute among scholars.