Peace Heritage HOMEPAGE


WCIA’s work is strongly rooted in Wales’ long heritage of grassroots internationalism, and WCIA’s guardianship of Wales’ National Temple of Peace and Health. Founded in 1938 as Wales’ memorial to the fallen of WW1, and opened on the eve of WW2, the Temple was built to ‘drive’ a national mission for Wales to build a better world for future generations – through the League of Nations, United Nations and international cooperation. Learning from and building on our heritage remains as relevant now as ever.

“A ‘Temple of Peace’ is more than bricks and mortar. It is the realisation of the hopes and dreams of generations… for a world free from the scourge of war, free from the scourge of disease. Free to foster friendship with our fellow human kind; to Unite the Nations of our world as one, to shape our shared futures – together. And to never… never again forget the human cost of waging war before law; of ignoring internationalism… our common humanity.”

Gwilym Davies, Welsh League of Nations Union

Explore

In depth analysis and embedded archives and resource links, exploring previously 'Hidden Histories' of many of Wales' inspiring Peacemakers and movements of the last 100 years - from the post-WW1 founding of the Welsh League of Nations Union and incredible 'Women's Peace Appeal' to America of 1923, to the more recent campaigns of CND that led to the UN Nuclear Ban entering force in 2021. Many printable as PDF booklets, these features are continually updated and developed as further material comes to light.

Welsh Peacemakers' Stories: 'Hidden Histories' from the Peace Heritage of Wales
Temple Tours and Open Days Spring 2023 - Downloadable Flyer with Dates, Times and Booking links
Explore the story of Wales' remarkable Temple of Peace & Health, memorial to the fallen of WW1 and inspiration to generations working to build a better world

Wales' Temple of Peace & Health
In 2023-24 Wales will mark the centenary of the Women's Peace Petition, with a campaign led by Academi Heddwch. This homepage brings together WCIA's work since 2014 on the story of the petition which, In 1923, galvanised a generation after WW1. Women of Wales organised an unprecedented campaign for world peace, with 390,296 women signing a Memorial petition through the Welsh League of Nations Union, calling for ‘MAW NOT WAR’ – for America to join and lead the new League of Nations.

Centenary of the Welsh Women's Peace Petition to America, 2023-24

OHOS National Collections programme
Archives Workshops Flyer - Library Volunteering and Reading Room Open Days
Find out more about the Temple of Peace Archives, our digitised collections, and Wales-wide sources of Peace Heritage archives and information

Temple Archives and Collections: Wales' Peace Heritage
‘Wales for Peace’ brings together digitised archives and collections relating to Wales’ long history of internationalist activism and peace building from pre-WW1 to the present day.

Digitised 'Peace Archives' for Wales - PCW and other online collections
Ahead of the 40th Anniversary of Dolen Cymru, the Wales Lesotho Link, WCIA are supporting Dolen to research and digitise archives from the founding and early years of the link - including the UNICEF and Freedom from Hunger Campaign projects that led to its formation.

Dolen Cymru 40th Anniversary, 1985-2025 - Call for Histories
Minnie James of Merthyr opened Wales' Temple of Peace on 23 November 1938, on behalf of war bereaved mothers of Wales and the world. This collection of artefacts and documents was presented in November 2022 by Minnie's descendants, for digitisation and display at Wales' Temple of Peace - and contains many deply moving and personal treasures from WW1 andf 1938.

Minnie James Collections
Over Summer 2020, WCIA Volunteers have digitised many thousands of pages from CND Cymru's archive of peace activism, including 'Heddwch' and 'Campaign Wales' magazines from 1980s to today.

CND Cymru Archives & Collections

WCIA 50th 'Golden Anniversary' Year
23rd November 2022 witnessed a very special event in the history of the Temple of Peace, as WCIA welcomed descendants of the 3 figures who led the original opening of the Temple: founder David Davies, Architect Percy Thomas, and ‘Mother of Wales’ Minnie James.

23rd November, a Day to Remember: Temple Anniversary 'Descendents Reunion'
WCIA Heritage Advisor Craig Owen is leading a Postgraduate Research project between WCIA, Aberystwyth and Swansea Universities, which aims to draw together a 'new history' and understanding of the narratives underpinning the concept of Welsh Internationalism - as a tool for better informing the work of International Sector CSOs (Civil Society Organisaitons) into the decades ahead..

'History of Welsh Internationalism' Research Project, 2020-2023
Explore Wales' proud history of internationalist action through 7 themes of action - for which WCIA has used the 1960's Rainbow Peace Flag as a basis for heritage interpretation exploring citizen activism on war, protest, sanctuary for refugees, women's equality, solidarity movements, youth exchange and cooperation.

Peace Pathways: the 'Rainbow' of Peace Movement Activism from WW1 to today
WCIA has a long history of involving volunteers in our heritage work - explore some of their achievements! Despite post-COVID restrictions, we still have a range of digital and research projects that can be done remotely by highly motivated volunteers and student placements.

WCIA Heritage Volunteering
This pop up exhibition provides a snapshot of Welsh engagement with global solidarity, cultural, political and social issues over the years. Showcasing the heritage of Welsh global solidarity with objects that uncover the many stories, contributions and campaigns, expressed through artefacts and visual arts that bring these histories to life.

Nov 2022 - Exhibition, 'Welsh Global Solidarity - Objects that Connect Us'
A comprehensive guide for volunteers and community groups through 6 stages of planning and creating a ‘hidden history’ for a wide range of written and multimedia sharing options. Originally published 2016 and updated in Spring 2021 by Aberystwyth student placement Gabriella Bostico.

Hidden Histories Toolkit for Volunteers & Community Groups
Find out about the activities, achievements and learning from WCIA's HLF-funded WW1 Centenary programme 'Wales for Peace'

Wales for Peace Programme 2014-19: Impact & Learning
Produced in Dec 2020 with support of NLHF's COVID Recovery Fund, WCIA's Heritage Management Plan prioritises future work in 5 areas, dependent on staff capacity considered for 3 post-COVID funding scenarios. Printable as A5 booklet.

Post-COVID Heritage Management Plan, 2021-24