Who we are

The Work of the WCIA
The Welsh Centre for International Affairs was founded in 1973 to:

1. raise awareness of global issues in Wales;
2. campaign to promote world peace, human rights and international understanding;
3. provide a key point of contact in Wales for international bodies and institutions.

Today the Centre works towards its objectives through publications, campaigns, seminars and events on a range of humanitarian and international issues. Its staff and facilities also provide support for the activities of other organisations including:

United Nations Association Wales
Campaigning and educating to make the ideals of the United Nations a reality.

Council for Education in World Citizenship (CEWC-Cymru)
Promoting education, citizenship and an understanding of the contemporary world amongst young people in Wales.

UNA Exchange
Providing volunteer projects that put the world in perspective.

Cynefin y Werin / Common Ground
The all Wales network promoting international peace, social justice, human rights and equality.

Cyfanfyd – The Development Education Association for Wales
Supporting the work of those bringing a better understanding of global and development issues to Wales

EuropaWorld
An online newspaper covering the European contribution to international development and the work of the United Nations and its agencies.

Other aspects of the Centre's work include:

1. Legal Affairs Committee
This committee is made up of staff, volunteers, academics and professionals - all with a strong interest in legal issues and the impacts of national and international law. Its role is to facilitate discussion and understanding of legal issues through seminars and briefing papers.

2. The National Assembly for Wales and the Global Agenda
With the creation of the National Assembly for Wales in 1999 the Centre undertook a new responsibility, advocating that this tier of government maintains a global perspective. It was instrumental in launching an all-party group on international development at the National Assembly in April 2001. The Centre is also a member of the Wales Overseas Agencies Group and through it has representation on the National Assembly's Voluntary Sector Partnership Council.

3. A National Centre for Commemorative Events
The Temple of Peace is increasingly utilised as a national venue for commemorative events, with the WCIA taking a key organisational role. Events to mark Armistice Day, Holocaust Memorial Day and Armenian Genocide Day have been hosted by the Centre in recent years.

4. The Welsh National Garden of Peace
The Welsh National Garden of Peace is located behind the Temple of Peace and is under the Centre's care. Founded in 1988 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the building the Garden is home to a number of commemorative trees and plaques, the most recently unveiled being a colourful plaque to mark the twentieth anniversary of the walk from Cardiff to Greenham Common.