Independent Chinese PEN Center

Independent Chinese PEN Center Charter

(Approved by the Internet General Assembly in October 2003)

Chapter One: Principles

The name of this PEN Center is Independent Chinese PEN Center (in Chinese 独立中文作家笔会 ), the English abbreviation is ICPC (in Chinese 独立笔会 );

This PEN Center is a non-profit, non-governmental organization registered in the U.S.A.;

It is an organization under International PEN and recognizes International PEN's charter. Should the charter of the ICPC contravene the principles of International PEN's charter, International PEN's charter will have precedence;

This PEN Center emphasizes that no matter what political standpoint a writer who writes in Chinese language, or in which country or region s/he publishes her /his work, or in what form or genre, s/he has the right and freedom to write, publish and express herself/himself. S /he should never be persecuted or imprisoned for her/ his writing or publication;

This PEN Center emphasizes that literature transcends all borders, and literature originally written in the Chinese language – no matter where it is written and published – bears the characteristics of Chinese language literature. No matter what the political situation in a particular country is, the circulation of literary works in Chinese language should never be impeded in any country or region;

This PEN Center particularly emphasizes that literature belongs to humankind and should never be exploited for political, national, religious or ideological aims;

This PEN Center supports freedom of mass media and publication, and opposes all arbitrary control and censorship in times of peace, and believes that all nationalities and citizens of all regions have the right and freedom to criticize government institutions and public authorities.

This PEN Center particularly emphasizes that misusing literature and freedom of the press, and of deliberately fabricating or distorting facts for political or personal ends violate the principles of real personal freedom and responsibility, because freedom also implies voluntary self-restraint.

This PEN Center shall diligently strive towards enhancing the understanding and mutual respect between people, and eradicating hostility between social groups, nationalities, races or classes, in order to realize the ideal of a peaceful common existence for humankind.

The Center represents its members only and does not represent any state or region.

Chapter Two: Members

Membership is open to all writers, literary editors, translators, journalists or researchers who use the Chinese language in a professional setting (and have published relevant works or magazines), regardless of nationality, race, color or religion, and who recognize the principles of ICPC and wish to fulfill their membership duties.

Any individual who fulfills the above qualifications and recognizes this charter may apply to be a member. Applicants need to submit an application form, referrals from two members, and a Curriculum Vita. Membership is approved by vote of the majority of the board.

Members of the ICPC can participate in other PEN centers, and may register as members of any other PEN center. They can also participate in other writers' organizations, associations or clubs.

All members should respect the charter, pay the annual membership fee, and actively participate in the ICPC assembly meetings as well as all other related work. Apart from the annual International PEN (IP) membership fee, which is stipulated by the IP board, the membership fee of the center is decided by more than half of the board members. A member with economic difficulties can hand in an application for remission of payment to the board, which can decide to exonerate him from payment.

Members have the right to announce their resignation at any time. Members who have not paid their membership fee for one year are automatically dismissed.

The board has the right to expel members whose actions violate the charter or harm the reputation of the ICPC, and who do not stop their actions after warnings from the board.

Chapter Three: The Assembly

The member assembly is the highest decision-making organ of the ICPC. Since members of this center are spread around the world, the assembly meeting will normally be carried out via internet or other communication technology.

The assembly meeting is held every second year; the president, who is in charge of organizing it together with the secretariat, convenes it. The next meeting should be held between twenty and twenty-four months from the previous.

The tasks of the assembly meeting are to investigate the working report produced by the acting president representing the board, the report of the secretariat, as well as the economic report produced by the treasurer; to elect a new president, vice-president and members of the board, to vote for amendments of the charter and other resolutions. To propose a resolution to the assembly needs the joint signature of five members.

Should important matters arise between two assembly meetings, the president of the center can, with the approval of at least half of the board members, or from a motion signed by at least one third of the members of the assembly, convene an emergency assembly meeting at which resolutions are adopted after an special election using emergency ballots.

Resolutions of the assembly meeting (including election of president, vice-president, the board members, approval of the charter as well as amendments of the charter) are passed when they have received at least half of the ballots from the assembly meeting at which more than half of the members hand in their ballots.

Chapter Four: President, Vice-President and the Board

This PEN Center has one president, two vice presidents (first and second) and four members of the board, all together seven persons to form the board. This board has also two substitute board members, to fill the vacant member positions if required.

The President, Vice-President, members of the board and substitute board members are elected directly by the assembly through multiple candidate choice and secret ballots.

The President and Vice-President hold one mandate each of two years (which runs from the time of election to the next assembly meeting), and they sit for a maximum of two mandate periods, i.e. four years. Members of the board also hold one mandate of two years, but the maximum are three mandates, i.e. six years.

The President is in charge of the routine work of the board. If the President is temporarily unable to be in charge of the work, the first Vice-President should act in his place. If the first Vice-President cannot be in charge, the work falls on the second Vice-President. If both the President and the Vice-Presidents are unable to take charge of the daily work, the board should call for an emergence assembly to elect a new President and Vice-Presidents.

The board should convene at least two meetings every year, which should be arranged by the President. The board decides about resolutions on e.g. financial issues, the membership fee, the approval of new members, publication of petitions and statements in the name of the ICPC, to put forward resolution to assembly of the International PEN, etc. After every board meeting the board should inform all members about the meeting's decisions in a report. Since members of the board live in different parts of the world, the meeting can be carried out via the internet or other communication measures. In the future, when economic conditions allow, it will be possible to convene the board meeting in a specific location.

Resolutions are valid only after approval of the majority of the board (four members and above). Substitute members do not have voting rights at the board meeting though they may be present at the meeting.

Chapter Five: The Secretariat and Working Committees

The Secretariat is the routine or daily working organ of ICPC, and it is appointed by the President and approved by the board meeting. The number of the employees in the secretariat is not limited. Members of the board can also be appointed as secretariat staff.

Working committees correspond to those established under International PEN, such as “Writers in Prison Committee,” “Women Writers Committee,” “Peace Committee,” “Linguistic and Translation Committee,” and so forth.. Chairmen of the working committees are appointed by the President and approved by the board meeting. Members of the board can also be appointed as chairmen of the working committees. The work of the committees should be carried out according to the instructions of International PEN's committees.

The secretariat is led by a General Secretary, who is in charge of carrying out the resolutions of the board, coordinating the work of the secretaries and chairmen of the committees. The General Secretary should also prepare the assembly meeting and election work and report to the President and the board. If the general secretary is not a member of the board, he/she should have the right to attend the board meetings.

In the secretariat there will be a treasurer who is in charge of the financial administrative work, collects membership fees, and reports on the Center’s financial health to the board. The President and the board, however, make the financial decisions.

In the secretariat there will be an international secretary who is in charge of contact with International PEN and other PEN centers, translating their letters into Chinese and vice versa. The International Secretary should also coordinate the communication between the ICPC committees and the International PEN's committees.

In the secretariat there will be an organization secretary, who is in charge of members registration work, keeping the files of the members and also in charge of the communication with members and between members.

In the secretariat there will be an internet homepage secretary, who is in charge of the homepage of the ICPC, establishing member's files on the internet, and administering group communication.

In the secretariat there will be a writers' rights secretary who is in charge of applying for scholarships, stipends, and residency at writers’ colonies in different countries. The President and the board should approve the proposed list of candidates.

The President and the board can appoint other secretaries and working committees if required.

All secretaries and chairmen of the working committees should accept the leadership of the President and the board, and they should cooperate with the General Secretary. While they should be responsible for all their tasks, they should also cooperate with each other and not interfere in the work of other secretaries or chairmen.

Chapter Six: Other Statements

ICPC has established a Freedom to Write award, a prize honoring a writer who writes in Chinese or other languages, writes under difficult circumstances, and/or is committed to the freedom to write and freedom of expression, yet is still able to produce an excellent body or work. This prize will be issued every two years; the recommendation of candidates is open to all PEN Centers. The board chooses the winner and the prize will be awarded in the name of the ICPC.

If there are conflicting interpretations about the implications of the charter, the board has the right to give the final interpretation of the charter.

This center is not a writers' work union neither is it a literary agent. It is not in charge of any writers' personal publications, translations or distribution, except when it is included in the PEN's own publications.

Last Updated: June 8, 2004