Commemorating the World Refugee day in the spirit of Dr. Fridtjof Nansen

2011 marks the 150 years anniversary of the birth of the explorer, scientist, diplomat and humanist Dr. Fridtjof Nansen. During his life Dr. Nansen became an important figure in the Norwegian history, being instrumental in the Norwegian independence of 1905. After the First World War he became an active player on the international political scene and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 for his humanitarian efforts (see below). One of his most notable work efforts was the Nansen Passport that was an international aclaimed identity card for stateless refugees.

 

In 2011 Nansen is celebrated all over the world for his historical efforts. As part of the Nansen-year and to mark his extensive work for refugees the Norwegian Embassy in Zimbabwe has contributed to celebrating the 60^th Anniversary for the UN Refugee Charter. The contribution from Norway will finance printing of some 1500 t-shirts bearing the picture of Dr. Nansen connected to the commemoration of the World Refugee Day, the 20th of June.  This years Zimbabwean commemoration of the World Refugee Day will be held the 29th-30th of June, at Tongogara Refugee Camp in Chipinge outside of Mutare. 

 

Here is a short introduction on the Humanist Dr. Fridtjof Nansen from the official anniversary web page:

“The Humanist

At the invitation of Russian authorities, Nansen undertook a long excursion in Siberia in 1913, which he presented in the book “Through Siberia” (1914). In the aftermath of the First World War he became deeply involved in ameliorating the dire conditions in Russia (from 1923 the Soviet Union). From 1920 until his death, Nansen was a member of the Norwegian delegation to the League of Nations. The League approached Nansen in 1920 and requested that he organise repatriation of the multitude of war prisoners – a task he took on with alacrity. By 1922 approximately 450 000 prisoners of war from 26 countries had been exchanged and sent home. In parallel with this work Nansen dedicated himself ever more strongly to other humanitarian efforts. In the newly established Soviet Russia, famine was taking its toll and hundreds of thousands of people were refugees. The historian Carl Emil Vogt estimates that around one million Russians received help through the relief work Nansen initiated in Soviet Russia. Nansen also made formidable efforts to aid refugees, in particular Greek, Turkish and Armenian refugees. In 1922 he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian efforts. Through his wide spectrum of accomplishments, Nansen left an indelible imprint on Norway and many other countries. He towers over Norwegian history. Fridtjof Nansen died 13 May 1930 and was buried – symbolically enough – 17 May, Norway’s Constitution Day.”

Read more about Dr. Nansen and his fellow Roald Amundsen on the official anniversary web page.