Andrew Mouravieff-Apostol (1913-2001)

Dr. Andrew Mouravieff-Apostol, known to the international social work community as Andy, was born in Cannes, France on 7th February 1913 of Russian/Ukrainian parents. His father served as a diplomat, but gave up his career on his marriage to Andy's mother in order to manage her vast estates in Ukraine. They were in England when the war broke out and soon afterwards they founded a hospital in London for British Officers.

The 1917 Revolution made it impossible for aristocrats like the Mouravieff-Apostols to return to Russia, and it was not until the time of the Perestroika in the 1980s, that Andy was able to visit his beloved home country again. Because of all the care and assistance his family had given his compatriots before, during and after the Revolution, he was warmly received and he also was awarded an Honoris Causa Doctorate by one of the Universities in the former Soviet Union.

Andy started his career as a journalist and foreign correspondent in England for the Daily Telegraph and Evening Standard before and during World War II. During the war he also served in the Free French military forces.

After the war, and on the direct encouragement of Winston Churchill, Andy left journalism and took up a position with the World Council of Churches and later with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He worked in a number of countries with resettlement programmes, mainly in South America. In Brazil, he met his future wife Ellen and the couple settled in Geneva. Andy also worked as a professional interpreter at the United Nations and other international bodies. Andy was a talented linguist speaking six-seven languages from which he was able to interpret into English.

From 1975 to 1992, Andy was IFSW Secretary General, and he was elected lifelong Honorary President in 1992. For IFSW, Andy was the cornerstone. He communicated with social workers of all countries with warmth, knowledge and diplomacy and became like a father for the international social work community.

At IFSW General Meetings/World Conferences, starting in 2004, in memory of Andrew Mouravieff-Apostol a medal with an accompanying diploma shall be presented to an individual or organisation that over time has made a significant contribution to international social work.