United Nations Economic and Social Council, 1954-1955

Component identifier:

Series 39

Content Summary:

The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) was, during the early 1950s, a body of 18 countries which met in Geneva and New York to recommend policies on issues like economic development, human rights, refugees, international commodity trade, and narcotic drugs. Australia joined the Council in 1952 and during 1954-1955 was represented on it by Copland and Alternate Delegates such as R.L. Harry, G.A. Jockel, A.P. Renouf, and W.D. Forsyth. In addition, Copland was Vice President of ECOSOC during its 18th Session (June-August 1954) and President for the 19th and 20th Sessions (March-June, July-October 1955).

The ECOSOC papers retained by Copland form Series 39. Reports of the committees, agencies, and commissions of the Council constitute the bulk of the series. There are also some of Copland's speeches, statements, and poems written at Council sessions and as well memoranda, photographs, cuttings, correspondence, and telegrams. J.C. Baker, Patrick Shaw, W.R. Crocker, L.B. Pearson, and M. Vakil are among the correspondents. The series includes material on most of ECOSOC's concerns during 1954-1955. In addition to the topics listed above, there are references to full employment and balance of payments policy, political rights of women, labour standards, and international calendar reform.

Immediate source of acquisition:

Lady Copland presented the personal papers of Sir Douglas Copland to the National Library in September 1973. Additions to the collection were received from the Copland Family between 1977 and 1981.

Names:

Copland, D.B. (Douglas Berry), 1894-1971

Access and use