University lecturer, psychologist and author Frans Ørsted Andersen takes you back to Denmark's first major UN mission. From 1956 to 1967, approximately 1,000 Danish soldiers served in Gaza as part of UNEF I (United Nations Emergency Force) following the Suez Crisis.
The lecture explores how young Danish men – many shaped by memories of the occupation – travelled to work for peace in one of the world's most conflict-ridden regions. You will gain insight into the soldiers' daily life in camp, their dangerous patrols, and the historical context of the operation. Finally, it becomes clear why this mission still matters today, as international peacekeeping is once again highly relevant.
The lecture is based on Frans Ørsted Andersen's ongoing research on the DANOR mission and Danish Gaza veterans' stories – a continuation of his work with UN veterans, which in 2024 resulted in the book "The Mission on the Divided Island" about Cyprus.
About the speaker
Frans Ørsted Andersen is a university lecturer at Aarhus University. Since 2022, he has researched Danish veterans' experiences from international missions.
