Karin Clark, International Ch ai r of the Writers in Prison Committee, Invite to PEN Members to Contribute to Evaluation of the Work of the Committee


14 February 2008

As International Ch ai r of the Writers in Prison Committee of International PEN (WiPC) I kindly request your assistance with an evaluation of its work that is currently being carried out on behalf of one of our funders, Oxfam Novib.

The ai m of the evaluation is to measure how the WiPC’s goals are being met, where it is most effective and to identify areas where its work could be improved or adapted. A report on the outcome of the evaluation will be produced in April 2008 and will form the basis of a review of our work for further consultation with PEN members.

The evaluation is being carried out by a team of independent consultants, headed by Peter Firkin, who, as some of you may know, has previously worked with PEN. Central to the evaluation are the views from those most central to the WiPC’s work – PEN members such as yourselves who are engaged in WiPC activities.A questionn ai re will be sent to all representatives of WiPCs shortly which I encourage you all to complete and return. Some WiPC representatives will also be asked if they will agree to be contacted directly by telephone or em ai l by the consultants for additional one to one interviews. Peter Firkin will also be present at the WiPC Conference in Glasgow.

Your input to this evaluation is important, and I very much hope that you will participate, contributing views both positive and critical, that will enable us to adapt and proceed with our essential work towards the promotion and defence of freedom of expression for writers world wide the most effective way possible.

If you have any questions to me or the consultants, please contact Sara Whyatt at the address below.

With many thanks,

Yours sincerely,


Karin Clark
International PEN Writers in Prison Committee
Ch ai r