Ivo Lapenna
Ivo Lapenna ( born November 5, 1909 in Split, † December 15, 1987 in Copenhagen) was a lawyer and professor at University College London and one of the main Esperanto activists. Since 1964, the Croatian-born British citizen.
Life and career
In Zagreb Lapenna had initially worked as a lawyer since his graduation in 1933, in a law firm that represented among other political defendants. During World War II he worked in a propaganda department of Tito's army, including the Italian Bari.
After the war, the major of the reserve was first editor of the Official Gazette and in 1948 professor at the Law Faculty of the University of Zagreb. In 1949 he left Yugoslavia and went first to Paris, then to London. After years, he managed to regain a professor, as a specialist in comparative East European and Soviet law, especially criminal law.
Social commitment
Lapenna is considered one of the most important Esperanto activists. It is thanks to his work, especially that UNESCO on 10 December 1954 in favor of the resolution adopted Esperanto and the Esperanto Association ( Esperanto - Universala Asocio ) awarded a consultant status.
He was Secretary General from 1955 to 1964 and from 1964 to 1974 chairman of the World Esperanto League.