Upcoming events
Academi Heddwch Cymru Events
View past events on YouTube:
From Okinawa to Wales: Peace and Resistance Across 10,000 Kilometres
Thursday, Mar 12 from 6 pm to 8 pm, Temple of Peace Cardiff
In this talk at the Temple of Peace, Welsh journalist and author Jon Mitchell will discuss his latest book Why are We in Okinawa? A History of Violence (Bloomsbury Academic 2026). The book traces how the islands were annexed by Japan, occupied by the United States, and are today increasingly threatened by China. Alongside the origins of Okinawan pacifism, Jon will explore the parallels between Wales and Okinawa. Despite being separated by almost 10,000 kilometres, both have experienced discrimination, linguistic suppression and environmental exploitation – factors that have engendered a steadfast commitment to peace and social justice.
Jon will be joined in discussion by Jill Evans, former Member of the European Parliament and Vice-Chair of Academi Heddwch Cymru.
Academi Heddwch Cymru Annual Conference
Saturday, March 21 from 10 am to 4 pm, Temple of Peace Cardiff
Academi Heddwch Cymru (Wales’s national peace institute) invites you to take part in its all-day conference on ‘Building Peaceful Communities’.
Peace is much more than the absence of war. It means building a better world by creating communities that live without fear and which promote social justice, respect and equality. Our Wales as a Nation of Peace (2024) report argues that Wales can and should aspire to become a Nation of Peace not least in order to build stronger communities within Wales. This conference is focussed on how we might achieve this.
Listen to talks by researchers and experts on community and social cohesion & take part in an interactive workshops that will equip you with knowledge and skills to build and sustain peaceful communities.
DESCRIPTION OF CONFERENCE INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS
Workshop 1: Communities Resisting Division Toolkit – Taster Session
Dr Amy Sanders (Aberystwyth University)
Introduction: This workshop will introduce you to a selection of units from the Communities Resisting Division Toolkit. This co-produced toolkit is thanks to a collaboration between the Aberystwyth research team of Wales Institute of Social and Economic Research and Data (WISERD) and the Jo Cox Foundation, the Cardiff More in Common Partnership and the Cardiff Communities Cohesion Team. The resulting toolkit has been co-produced with 70+ key community members and practitioners from more than 20 Cardiff community organisations, thereby engaging communities in an original research project on populism, polarisation and conflict in local community settings.
Together we aim to:
1. Explore key learnings within the Communities Resisting Division Toolkit
2. Build knowledge of how theory and research around polarisation, populism and relate to promoting cohesion in communities
3. Consider the implications for practice in community settings
4. Address these subjects using creative and participative methods and facilitate networking opportunities between attendees
Workshop 2: Imagine Action – Tools to inspire action and unlock change
Ruth Campbell (Climate Cymru)
Imagine Action is funded by the National Lottery Community Fund
When the world feels divided and distrustful, it’s tempting to push harder — to debate, convince, or call out. But change doesn’t always begin with pressure; it can start with connection.
Imagine Action helps individuals, communities and organisations across Wales communicate in ways that reflect what truly matters; craft compelling stories that unite us and reimagine a future we can create together. Whether you’re a campaigner, artist, faith leader, educator, or simply an active member of your community, this engagement platform encourages us to speak from what we value, listen with care, and help shape a future for Wales that includes everyone.
The Imagine Action Toolkit was created by leading researchers, and the latest thinking in social science to support organisers, changemakers and practitioners to deliver messages in engaging and powerful ways. This initiative offers tools and training to help bring your narrative to life with clarity, creativity, and impact. With a collective shared framework, we can build our capacity, and create meaningful change.
#ImagineAction seeks to reshape the narrative around climate action in Wales, fostering cultural and political environments where bold initiatives thrive and transformative change happens