Nansen International Office for Refugees

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Nansen International Office for Refugees

Role / Field:

League of Nations body (1930-1939) pioneering refugee aid and the Nansen passport.

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

The Nansen International Office for Refugees (French: Office International Nansen pour les Réfugiés) was an organization established in 1930 by the League of Nations and named after Fridtjof Nansen, soon after his death, which was internationally in charge of refugees from war areas between 1930 and 1939. It is noted for developing the Nansen passport which allowed stateless people to travel between countries. It received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1938. The Office International Nansen pour les Réfugiés was established in 1930 by the League of Nations, shortly after the death of its name patron Fridtjof Nansen to continue his successful work in international aid for refugee. It thus continued the organization in Geneva, Switzerland, founded by Nansen in 1921.

Career & Major Achievements

The League also provided the administrative expenses for the Nansen Office though only for fees charged for the Nansen passport since its revenues for welfare and relief were obtained from private contributions. The organization was to supply material and political support to refugees. For refugees from the Third Reich or from the civil war-torn Spain, the Nansen aid was not applicable, though many countries refused to accept the refugees. In spite of such problems, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to the organization in 1938 for its work, but due to its dissolution shortly afterwards, the prize money was received by a newly founded refugee organization of the League of Nations. The office was dissolved at the same time as the League dissolved the High Commission (established in 1933) because of the problems surrounding German refugees after the dissolution of the Third Reich.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1938, this Office was replaced by the appointment of a High Commissioner for Refugees, a precursor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. The Nansen International Office for Refugees was responsible for the adoption of the 1933 Refugee Convention, which was a modest charter of human rights, by fourteen countries. The Nansen Office was instrumental in finding shelter in specially constructed houses in villages in Syria and Lebanon for 40,000 Armenians, after the resettlement of another 10,000 in Yerevan. The Office also successfully resettled Saar refugees in Paraguay after its reintegration into Germany in 1935. The Nansen International Office for Refugees was awarded the 1938 Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to establish the Nansen passports.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1921: 1921 Milestone — It thus continued the organization in Geneva, Switzerland, founded by Nansen in 1921.
2. 1930: 1930 Milestone — The Nansen International Office for Refugees (French: Office International Nansen pour les Réfugiés) was an organization established in 1930 by the League of Nations and named after Fridtjof Nansen, soon after his death, which was internationally in charge of refugees from war areas between 1930 and 1939.
3. 1933: 1933 Milestone — The office was dissolved at the same time as the League dissolved the High Commission (established in 1933) because of the problems surrounding German refugees after the dissolution of the Third Reich.
4. 1935: 1935 Milestone — The Office also successfully resettled Saar refugees in Paraguay after its reintegration into Germany in 1935.
5. 1938: 1938 Milestone — It received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1938.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Nansen International Office for Refugees

True or False: “The Nansen International Office for Refugees was dissolved immediately after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in 1938.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While it received the prize in 1938, its dissolution followed due to issues surrounding German refugees and the League's overall decline.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Adolf Wölfli — Historical peer (Died in 1930) (1930): Swiss outsider artist known for meticulous, symbolic, and autobiographical works.
• Adonis (poet) — Historical peer (Born in 1930) (1930): Pioneering Syrian poet, essayist, and translator who revolutionized modern Arabic verse.
• Ada Yonath — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Pioneering crystallographer known for elucidating the structure and function of the ribosome.
• Alan Ayckbourn — Historical peer (Born in 1939) (1939): Prolific British playwright and director known for domestic farce and ensemble pieces.
• Ahmed Mohamed Mohamoud — Historical peer (Born in 1938) (1938): Somaliland politician, served as President from 2010 to 2017.
• Ahn Chang Ho — Historical peer (Died in 1938) (1938): Pioneering Korean independence activist and leader of the Korean-American community.
• Aaron Beck — Historical peer (Born in 1921) (1921): Father of Cognitive Therapy and CBT, revolutionizing psychiatric treatment.
• ʻAbdu'l-Bahá — Historical peer (Died in 1921) (1921): Successor to Baháʼu'lláh and guiding light of the Baháʼí Faith.
• 13th Dalai Lama — Historical peer (Died in 1933) (1933): Spiritual leader of Tibet who championed national independence and modernization.
• Abolhassan Banisadr — Historical peer (Born in 1933) (1933): Iranian politician who served as the first president following the Islamic Revolution.

Frequently Asked Questions about Nansen International Office for Refugees