Upcoming events
Academi Heddwch Cymru Events
View past events on YouTube:
Wales as a Nation of Peace
Wrexham Talks Research Presents Academi Heddwch Cymru and Professor Colin McInnes
Monday 22 June • 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM
Peace appears to be in short supply. From the war in Ukraine to long-standing insurgencies such as that of Boko Haram in Nigeria, conflicts abound internationally.
Peace however is about more than the absence of war. It is about societies living without fear, about creating social resilience while preserving individual rights, and about promoting social justice, fairness, respect and equality. But this broader understanding of peace also appears to be under threat. From the 6 January 2021 attack on the Capitol to the summer riots in the UK in 2024, tolerance within society appears to be diminishing and fear increasing.
What can we in Wales do about this? In 2024, Academi Heddwch suggested that, by building on its culture, history and recent legislation, Wales could become a ‘nation of peace’. This would have a positive impact upon our society, upon how we govern ourselves, and provide Wales with a distinct identity on the international stage.
This lecture will explore what it means to be a nation of peace, why Wales should become one, and how it can do so.
1926 Women’s Peace Pilgrimage – panel discussion hosted by Academi Heddwch Cymru and Llafur: Welsh People’s History Society.
Join us for a bilingual panel discussion to celebrate the centenary of the 1926 Women’s Peace Pilgrimage.
In the summer of 1926, tens of thousands of women across the United Kingdom marched to the centre of London under the banner ‘Law not War’, urging the British government to commit to international arbitration and universal disarmament. These peace pioneers walked through villages and towns, organising over a thousand meetings and rallies along the way to share their vision of a warless world.
Learn about the extraordinary history of the Peace Pilgrimage in a Welsh context as we hear contributions from our panellists Dr Siân Rhiannon Williams, Annie Williams and Heather Aspinwall on the history of the north Wales march – by far the biggest contingent of the Pilgrimage; its local activity at Llangollen and, finally, the hidden histories of the lesser-known south Wales route to London.
Where and when: 10.07.26, the Dome Stage, Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. Simultaneous translation (Welsh to English) available.
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