Fonds RC0072 - Canadian Committee for World Refugee Year fonds

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Canadian Committee for World Refugee Year fonds

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Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

RC0072

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Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

  • 1955-1968 (Creation)

Physical description area

Physical description

2.1 m of textual records
118 photographs

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Archival description area

Name of creator

(1959-1961)

Administrative history

World Refugee Year was proclaimed by the United Nations in 1959. At the time in Europe, there were 110,000 people in refugee camps. The Canadian Committee for World Refugee Year (CCWRY) functioned with an executive committee that brought individuals together from across the country. The chairman of the committee was Reuben C. Baetz, Assistant National Commissioner of the Canadian Red Cross. Muriel Jacobson, on leave from the Canadian Association for Adult Education, was the committee's National Director. The objectives of the national committee, and the 40 local committees that lent their support to the cause, were: "to focus attention on the refugee problem and to promote among the people of Canada a sympathetic interest in the plight of refugees throughout the world, through publicity, to help those participating organizations, which are already engaged in refugee work, to raise more money than they would normally be able to do so, and to establish a Central Fund to which contributions may be made for the United Nations refugee programs." The national committee was assisted by 45 voluntary national sponsoring organizations.

The CCWRY encouraged local committees to participate in special events like Austerity Week, special exhibitions of photographs of refugee camps, exhibitions of Ron Searle sketches, dramatic productions by the Barn Players and screenings of films such as Exposed and The Camp. The CCWRY also promoted Operation Eskimo, a special fund raising project involving a group of Inuit from Frobisher Bay who raffled off handicrafts to raise money for a rehabilitation centre. The CCWRY co-ordinated a number of fund-raising efforts including the sale of pins, pens and grip discs. Over $1,218,000 was raised for various projects. Most of this money was allocated to clearing designated camps in Europe, particularly in Germany and Austria. The remaining funds were allocated to vocational training, particularly for youth in the Middle East and projects underway in Hong Kong and mainland China.

Custodial history

Scope and content

The fonds consists of correspondence, organizational records, clippings, published materials, and Toronto World Refugee Year Committee material.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Fonds (26-1998) was donated by Mrs. Claire Ward in August of 1998. Mrs. Ward worked closely with Muriel Jacobson during the campaign. Mrs. Ward oversaw the closure of the office when the campaign ended.

Arrangement

The fonds has been arranged as follows: correspondence, minutes and reports, financial records, public relations, fund raising, newspaper clippings and published materials and Toronto World Refugee Year Committee.

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There are no access restrictions.

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No further accruals are expected

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Description record identifier

RC0072

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