At present, ICORN is made up of 84 cities and regions across Europe and the Americas. Each ICORN member commits to providing protection and support through temporary protective residencies for writers, artists, and journalists at risk. Fostering strong partnerships between local authorities and civil society within a global network, the common mission of the ICORN Cities of Refuge is to make both symbolic and practical contribution to improving the conditions for freedom of expression worldwide.
"Les espaces de liberté d'expression se réduisent à l'échelle mondiale. C'est la tâche d'ICORN de mobiliser les villes du monde entier pour qu'elles deviennent des acteurs engagés pour les droits de l'homme et la liberté d'expression, en faisant des valeurs de solidarité, de créativité et d'hospitalité des priorités centrales de la politique de chaque ville."
HELGE LUNDE, DIRECTEUR EXÉCUTIF D'ICORN
VISION
With ICORN’s vision focused on improving conditions for freedom of expression for all, our mission is to mobilise cities around the world to provide safety and support to writers, artists, and journalists facing persecution because of their expressions. In a world which is becoming more threatening for writers, artists, and journalists who speak truth to power, they take risks for all of us. Protecting and promoting their voices has become ever more needed. Prompting international solidarity and democratic values, we act together with members, partners, and defenders to improve the conditions for freedom of expression as a fundamental human right.
MISSION
ICORN permet aux villes du monde entier d'offrir un refuge aux écrivains et aux artistes persécutés, en travaillant ensemble pour
- faire progresser la liberté d'expression.
- défendre les valeurs démocratiques.
- promouvoir la solidarité internationale
OBJECTIFS PRINCIPAUX
ICORN’s principal objective is to improve the conditions for freedom of expression worldwide by engaging cities to be ambassadors for human rights and freedom of expression. ICORN offers spaces where writers, artists, and journalists at risk can express themselves freely and continue their professional activities in a safe environment, reinforcing the impact of their work and raising awareness about human rights violations worldwide.
"ICORN et ses villes membres ne peuvent jamais travailler et opérer dans le vide. Nous dépendons totalement d'un nombre croissant de partenaires et d'organismes et organisations coopératifs, qui travaillent ensemble pour faire du monde un endroit plus libre et meilleur pour tous."
PROJETS CLÉS
- ICORN’s current and future projects include:
- Continued support to writers, artists, and journalists at risk through protective residencies in the ICORN Cities of Refuge.
- Continued expansion of the network of ICORN Cities of Refuge, making a larger number of ICORN residencies possible.
- Continued retention of existing ICORN Cities of Refuge and anchoring the ICORN programme within them.
- Continued cooperation with our partners and sister organisations to protect and promote writers, artists, and journalists at risk and improve the conditions for freedom of expression worldwide.
- Work to facilitate the legal and administrative practicalities of relocation processes.
- Working on a new strategic plan for ICORN for the period 2024-2028.