On 16 October 2006, the founding event of Cartooning for Peace took place at the United Nations headquarters in New York. On that day, Kofi Annan, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and Secretary-General of the United Nations, and Plantu, a political cartoonist, brought together twelve international cartoonists for a symposium entitled ‘Unlearning Intolerance – Drawing for Peace’.

As Kak, President of Cartooning for Peace, summarised in his message on 21 September: ‘Both struck by the violence of the controversy following the publication of the so-called “Prophet” cartoons, it became clear to them that editorial cartoons play a central role in democratic debate, intercultural dialogue and social cohesion’. Over the past 20 years, thanks to the unwavering commitment of its cartoonists, the network has expanded to every corner of the globe and the organisation’s activities have multiplied in its work to promote human rights and democratic values. This is a demanding struggle, now more urgent than ever, which we invite you to support through your donations.