Félix Schnyder (Switzerland): 1960–1965
© UNHCR
"What I should like to stress particularly today is the importance of collaboration at a time when the need is being emphasized for greater coordination of the efforts of international organizations in all fields."
Félix Schnyder was a Swiss diplomat who chaired the UNICEF Executive Board and served as Switzerland's observer to the United Nations before being appointed High Commissioner.
Schnyder oversaw the repatriation of Algerian refugees from Tunisia and Morocco, an operation which marked the first of many involvements in large-scale repatriation and reintegration operations. He also secured General Assembly support to mediate between governments during global refugee crises, most notably in assisting Rwandan refugees in the Great Lakes region, and played an important role in initiating the process which led to the adoption of the 1967 Protocol.