New Perspectives & Learning on the Nature of Peace
‘I am fire, I am peace, I am a future, where all we do is playfight.’ from ‘I am peace’ by Sandra Elvebatten Myrland 2023
A delegation from Wales, including First Minister Mark Drakeford and Chief Executive of WCIA Susie VentrisField, visited Oslo in May 2022 to support the launch of the Urdd Peace and Good will message. During this trip, the Welsh delegation were hosted by Pamela Hiley, Director of the Norway TaiJi Centre. On return, WCIA and Academi Heddwch Cymru, with the support of Welsh Government, collaborated with Pamela to welcome the Norwegian Taiji Centre to Wales in May 2023 as part of their 40th Anniversary Jubilee Celebrations. This was also a homecoming for Pamela who is originally from Bridgend.
Between 13th and 20th May 2023 a 40 strong, self-funded group of Pamela’s students (comprising individuals of 12 different nationalities) visited Wales for a week-long celebration. They visited and practiced Taiji, ‘sowing the seeds of silence’ at destinations near Cardiff including Big Pit, Bannau Brycheiniog, St Fagans Natural History Museum and the National Botanical Gardens. On 17th May, Norwegian National Day, Pamela and her students joined the Welsh Norwegian Society at the Norwegian Church for their celebrations following which they visited the Senedd for a tour. The TaiJi practice aimed to support Wales on its’ journey to becoming a Nation of Sanctuary and a Nation of Peace.
The week-long visit culminated in a one day event on 19th May at the Temple of Peace and Health to bring ‘New perspectives and learning on the nature of peace’. The format of the event was carefully developed to allow space for speakers, interactive Taiji practice, deep dialogue discussion on global challenges and reciprocity.