The beginning of the cooperation between Greece and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees
Joint exhibition of archival material from the first years of the common journey
(1947-1963)
UN Newsreel No. 5
(General Assembly, Riziani, Ms Tsaldaris)
A few words about the exhibition
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has completed more than 70 years of continuous presence in Greece, supporting the Greek Government to address the needs arising from refugee flows in the country. In 1947, shortly after the end of World War ΙΙ and despite the challenging economic situation of the country, Greece sought to become a member of the International Refugee Organization (IRO, 1946), the predecessor of UNHCR. Through its Permanent Delegation to the United Nations, participated in the consultations about the conclusion of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees (Geneva, 1951). The first Branch Office of the UNHCR in Greece was established in 1952.
The Service of Diplomatic and Historical Archives, in cooperation with the D’ Directorate-General for International Organisations and D3 Directorate of the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs, along with the UNHCR, Representation in Greece, in coordination with the Records and Archives Section of the Organisation, explore the first years of the common journey (1947-1963) of Greece and UNHCR through documents of historical and archival significance.
And the common journey continues…
Section 1
Early efforts for the creation of an international organization for refugees and the signing of the UN Convention for Refugees (1951)
Section 2
The creation of the UNHCR Branch Office in Athens and the first Representatives (1952)
Section 3
The Nobel Peace Prize to UNHCR (1954)
Section 4
The work of UNHCR for refugees in Greece and the cooperation with the Greek Government
(1952-1963)