The Association of American Editorial Cartoonists THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS IS DEDICATED FIRST TO PROMOTING THE PROFESSIONAL INTERESTS OF EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS IN THE UNITED STATES. THIS INCLUDES POLITICAL ILLUSTRATORS AND ARTISTS WORKING IN THE GROWING FIELDS OF COMIC AND GRAPHIC JOURNALISM AND OPINION. AAEC HOSTS AN ANNUAL CONVENTION TO GIVE MEMBERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO EXCHANGE VIEWS, MEET SOCIALLY, AND SHOWCASE CREATIVE AND TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION. AAEC ALSO SPONSORS A CARTOONS FOR THE CLASSROOM PROGRAM DESIGNED TO AID EDUCATORS AT ALL LEVELS IN TEACHING HISTORY AND CURRENT EVENTS AND TO HELP YOUNGER CARTOONISTS DEVELOP THEIR PROFESSIONAL SKILLS. AAEC ALSO STRONGLY ADVOCATES FOR AND DEFENDS THE FIELD OF EDITORIAL CARTOONING AS AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY; IN DOING SO IT WORKS CLOSELY WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS, BOTH DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL, THAT ARE DEDICATED TO PROTECTING EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS FREE-SPEECH RIGHTS AND TO COMBATING PERSECUTION AND HARASSMENT.