History of Welsh Internationalism

‘Peace monger’ David Davies of Llandinam was founder both of Wales’ Temple of Peace – home of WCIA today – and Aberystwyth University’s Department of International Politics. The ‘hidden histories’ of internationalist communities and civil society Wales-wide will be captured for academic posterity with this project to curate a new ‘History of Welsh Internationalism’.

Over 2020-23, WCIA are supporting a postgraduate (MPhil) research project on ‘History and Narratives of Welsh Internationalism‘, in partnership with Aberystwyth University’s Department of International Politics, Swansea University’s Department of History, and Academi Heddwch. The study is being undertaken by Craig Owen, WCIA’s Heritage Advisor, building on his work on the HLF-funded ‘Wales for Peace‘ programme (2015-20), and supporting international sector Welsh Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) over the last 20 years.

Craig’s research is being co-supervised by Dr Elin Royles in Aberystwyth (who specialises on ‘Wales in the World’ post-devolution civil society and internationalism) and Dr Tomas Irish in Swansea (who specialises in ‘Interwar Internationalisms and the League of Nations‘).

Key ambition of the project are to publish a series of articles and online references / case studies – for use among Welsh CSOs and heritage sector organisaitons, as well as students and academics – offering a synthesis of the ‘History of Welsh Internationalism’, exploring how Welsh people and Civil Society have contributed to international cooperation. The work is timely as Wales charts its path in the world into decades ahead in the aftermath of post-Brexit and post-COVID adaptations, with Welsh Government having launched (in Jan 2020) the nation’s first international strategy, the launch of ‘Academi Heddwch’ (Sept 2021), connecting internationalist academics of Wales and the world; and growing political questions around devolution across the 4 nations of the UK.

Anyone interested in connecting with this research can contact Craig at craigowen@wcia.org.uk or cro4@aber.ac.uk. His time is split between home-based research and writing, health treatment and Aberystwyth University / National Library, and ongoing work with Cardiff’s Temple of Peace.

Gain an insight into Craig’s research from his November 2021 talk to the Wales Africa Health Links Conference:

Direct Links to Research Features & Archives

Homes: Welsh Peace Heritage – Temple of Peace – Archives & Collections – Peacemakers Features – History of Welsh Internationalism Research – Peace Pathways & Themes – Peace100 WLNU Centenary – Women’s Peace Appeal Centenary – Wales’ International Development story – International Volunteering heritage – Hidden Histories volunteers’ Toolkit – Peace Schools – Town Twinning & Community Links – CND Cymru Archives – Wales for Peace learning – Peace Research, Policy & Practice

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