Cartooning for Peace Marks 20 Years with a Call to Defend Freedom of Expression
Cartooning for Peace Marks 20 Years with a Call to Defend Freedom of Expression
Cartooning for Peace celebrated its 20th anniversary on 16 October 2026 with drawings by five international cartoonists and an appeal for continued support for freedom of expression and editorial cartooning.
The anniversary campaign, presented under the theme “20 Years at the Heart of the Democratic Struggle”, brings together work by Adène and Hector from France, Jeff Koterba from the United States, Elena Ospina from Colombia and Marilena Nardi from Italy.
Cartooning for Peace was founded following a meeting organised on 16 October 2006 at United Nations headquarters in New York. Initiated by UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and French cartoonist Plantu, the event brought together twelve cartoonists from different countries under the title “Unlearning Intolerance – Drawing for Peace”.
The meeting took place amid international tensions following the publication of cartoons depicting the Prophet Muhammad in a Danish newspaper. It led to the creation of a network bringing cartoonists together across national and cultural boundaries.
Five Drawings for the Anniversary
For the anniversary, five cartoonists contributed drawings reflecting the organisation’s work over the past two decades.
Adène depicts a dove nesting inside a pencil. Jeff Koterba’s drawing shows a dove in flight, carrying an olive branch attached to a pen nib. Elena Ospina turns to the question of censorship with an image of a figure working at a computer while surrounded by scissors.
Marilena Nardi portrays a figure balancing on two long pencils while carrying an olive branch. Hector’s contribution brings together familiar symbols associated with peace and freedom of expression.
Kak Calls for Support
The anniversary campaign also includes an appeal from Kak, president of Cartooning for Peace. In a message published on 21 September 2026, he reflected on the organisation’s work since its creation and the difficulties facing editorial cartooning.
Kak addressed the decline of traditional newspaper readership, the spread of disinformation and the pressures affecting freedom of expression. He also drew attention to the financial challenges facing the organisation and its projects.
“Fighting for press cartoons, freedom of expression, reliable information and informed debate means being at the heart of the defence of our democracies.”
The statement was accompanied by a request for public contributions to help sustain the organisation’s activities.
Cartooning for Peace works through exhibitions, educational programmes, publications and initiatives supporting cartoonists who face threats or restrictions because of their work.
The organisation is inviting supporters to contribute through its official website, cartooningforpeace.org.
