United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund Mission, Greece, Italy and Malta, 1947-1952

Component identifier:

Series 7

Content Summary:

The United Nations International Childrens' Emergency Fund (UNICEF) was established in 1946 to meet the emergency needs of children, particularly in war-devastated countries and to further child health and welfare generally. From 1947 to 1951, UNICEF aid was given for relief and rehabilitation projects in Europe.

In 1947, Edwards was appointed Chief of the UNICEF Mission to Greece, Italy and Malta. It was an enormous challenge, given the deprivations that had resulted from the effects of six years of war in Europe. In 1948 he was awarded a PhD (Hon Causa) from the University of Athens in recognition of his humanitarian work in the region.

Papers in this series include copies of addresses given by Edwards, field trip reports by Edwards and others, administrative papers setting out operational plans for the distribution of aid, a typescript of the speech given by Edwards on the awarding of his Honorary Doctorate, a draft of the history of the UNICEF Mission in Greece (1952) and tributes from others on his departure from the Mission in 1952. There is information about a bust of Edwards which was placed in the grounds of the Childrens' Summer Camp site at Saint Andrews near Athens as a tribute to his work. Also included is ephemera relating to UNICEF and to the 1900th anniversary celebrations in 1951 of the arrival of St Paul in Greece.

Immediate source of acquisition:

The papers of William John Edwards were donated to the Library by his son-in-law, Arthur Pulford, in 2003. The papers had been in the possession of Edwards' daughter, Jill Pulford, since 1967 and came to the Library following her death.

Names:

Arthur Pulford

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