In Spring 1922, the Welsh League of Nations Union (WLNU) – predecessor to today’s Welsh Centre for International Affairs – was founded out of the ashes of the First World War, to support communities Wales-wide to mobilise Welsh public opinion in support of world peace and cooperation. The WLNU quickly grew to become one of Wales’ biggest social movements, with over 1,000 community branches with 60,000 members actively campaigning on world issues of the day – with some remarkable campaigns that have left an indelible legacy on Welsh society and culture to this day.
Over 2022-24, WCIA and partners Wales-wide will be celebrating the centenary of the WLNU, and a number of other anniversaries of significance to the peace movement and to Wales. WCIA are bringing these together under the banner of ‘Peace100’ – and will be coordinating a series of volunteering and community projects, as well as features and social media posts bringing together archives resources and hidden histories.
- Spring 2022 – #WLNU100 Centenary of formation of the Welsh League of Nations Union (WLNU), WCIA’s predecessor
- May 2022 – #Neges100 Centenary of the Youth Message of Peace & Goodwill (Neges Heddwch ac Ewyllys Da), coordinated today by Urdd Gobaith Cymru, but formerly by WLNU and UNA Wales until 1954
- June 2022 – #UNA75: 75th Anniversary of the post-WW2 establishment of UNA Wales (the United Nations Association),
- June 2022 – #Llangollen75: 75th Anniversary of the 1st Llangollen International Eisteddfod, in June 1947.
- Oct 2022 – #TeachPeace100 Centenary of the Welsh (world) Education Advisory Committee, who developed the world’s first global citizenship curriculum, and pioneered work which led to the founding of UNESCO.
- Spring 2023 – #WomenPeace100 Centenary of Welsh Women’s Peace Appeal to America of 1923
- October 2023 – #WCIA50 50th Anniversary of opening of the Welsh Centre for International Affairs in Oct 1973
- February 2024 – #WomenPeace100 Centenary of Welsh Women’s Peace Tour of America, 1924
- Others will be marked as these emerge through research and community participation.
- A printable PDF / flyer can be downloaded here, or click on RH image
