Celebrating our Roots

‘Hidden Histories’ from Wales’ Peace Heritage

 

Explore below the hidden histories behind Wales’ inspiring internationalist movements of the last century, from the ashes of World War One to the present day.

Wales’ peace bodies and organisations have evolved through a number of distinct eras. You can explore our stories and heritage archives by era, organisation or thematic topics; with research resources including archive listings, digitised materials, and hidden history features which thread these stories together.

Hidden Histories of Wales’ Peace Heritage

Peace in the Archives

 

As guardian of Wales’ Temple of Peace and Health, Cymru Global strive to maintain public access to the Temple’s library, archives and collections on international affairs. We also work closely with the National Library of Wales, Museums and Archives services to identify and signpost wider collections that illuminate Wales’ Peace Heritage.

Explore the Archives

Exploring the Peace Archives of Wales

Remembering for Peace

The Story of Wales’ Temple of Peace & Health

Wales’ iconic Temple of Peace and Health was founded as Wales’ memorial to the fallen of WW1, as a headquarters for movements that would “mobilise the people of Gwalia against the scourges of war and disease for future generations.” Over 9 decades this remarkable building has been at the heart of the NHS (National Health Service), UN (United Nations) and global cooperation – and been a star of film for sets from ‘Dr Who’ to ‘Mr Burton’.

Find out more

Temple of Peace, Cardiff Wales

Volunteering & Community Projects Wales-wide

 

Over recent decades, Cymru Global / WCIA have coordinated and supported several of Wales-wide community participation projects, such as ‘Wales for Peace’ and ‘Hawlio Heddwch’, the Women’s Peace Petition Centenary. Here we share the legacies and achievements of the many hundreds of volunteers who helped realise these ambitious projects, and carry forward the momentum  for future community peacebuilding projects.

Wales-wide Community Projects

 

Dates worth Celebrating! heritage anniversaries, UN & International Days

 

This annual calendar draws together dates of significance for Welsh internationalists, from anniversaries of historic events from Wales’ peace heritage, wider Welsh public events such as school terms, festivals and Eisteddfodau, UN and International Days / observances, and ‘days of action’ such as Welsh Refugee Week or Fairtrade Fortnight.

Dates for your Diary

 

Home » Our Work » Peace Heritage

Hidden Histories from Wales’ Peace Heritage

The timeline below illustrates the key ‘eras of activism‘ into which our peacebuilding histories and digitied archives are organised. Click on the links to view landing pages and resources on each collection.

1914-18

World War One

Our roots lie in the ‘Great War’ of 1914-18, in which over 35,000 Welsh were lost to conflict – the rollcall of their names recorded in the Book of Remembrance held forever more in the Crypt at the heart of Wales’ Temple of Peace.

The generation who survived World War One pledged ‘Never Again’ – and established an organisation, and a building, that would support Wales’ peace movements for future generations.

1920s-30s

Welsh League of Nations Union (WLNU)

WCIA’s predecessor the WLNU was established in 1922, and led campaigns through the interwar era that mobilised Welsh communities by the thousands in the cause of world peace.

The 1923-24 Welsh Women’s Peace Petition to America was signed by 390,296 women; while the Youth Message of Peace & Goodwill continues annually to this day through Urdd Gobaith Cymru, and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize to mark its centenary in 2022.

1938

Wales’ Temple of Peace & Health

The Temple of Peace & Health opened on 23 Nov 1938, a memorial to the fallen of WW1 that would be a ‘fitting headquarters’ to Wales’ peacebuilding and health movements.

These collections chart the architecture and development of the Temple of Peace & Health as an iconic space at the heart of Welsh civil society over generations.

1940s-60s

United Nations Association (UNA) Wales & the NHS

Despite the outbreak of World War 2, the Temple and its supporters played an instrumental role in the post-war creation of the United Nations (UN) and National Health Service (NHS).

As the UN developed, UNA Wales supported European post-war reconstruction through international youth service (IYS) volunteering, pioneered aid through the Freedom from Hunger Campaign (FFHC), and through CEWC built global citizenship in schools.

1970s-90s

Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA)

The WCIA was founded in 1973 to complement UNA’s campaigns through building policy and advocacy on global issues, linking Wales to the world stage and to Europe.

2000s

Post-Devolution

As Wales gained its own devolved government with the Natioanl Assembly for Wales, the WCIA played a lead role in supporting Welsh Civil Society Organisations to engage with the Millennium Development Goals to Make Poverty History, building the Wales for Africa programme and latterly, Wales for Peace.

2020s

Present

Having celebrated WLNU’s centenary in 2022, Temple 85 and WCIA’s 50th Anniversary in 2023, our strategy now looks forward to the next 50 years – relaunched as ‘Cymru Global’.

Cymru Global’s work remains firmly rooted in our heritage, and our guardianship of Wales’ iconic Temple of Peace & Health for future generations.

“A Missionary Nation for Peace”

“You in Wales are the one people who can best do this kind of [peace building] work amongst the peoples of the world – and to any extent you desire. You bore your burden in the Great War: therefore, you can venture where a neutral country might hesitate. No one will accuse you of propaganda, for it is clear you have no bias.

You speak in the name of a little country, of whom no other country need be jealous, and of whom no other country need be afraid. Every country will welcome your lead.”

WLNU Director Gwilym Davies in 1926, quoting “a distinguished colleague at the League of Nations in Geneva” (hinted to be Albert Einstein). WLNU Report, ‘Pioneering for Peace’.
Digitised 'Peace Archives' for Wales - PCW and other online collections
‘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.
OHOS National Collections programme
WCIA Heritage Volunteering
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.
Nov 2022 - Exhibition, 'Welsh Global Solidarity - Objects that Connect Us'
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.
Hidden Histories Toolkit for Volunteers & Community Groups
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.
Peace Trails across Wales and beyond
From Cardiff, Caernarfon and Carmarthen to Coventry, Berlin and Budapest - explore how communities have captured their 'Peace Heritage' and how you can explore with walking visits, or from the comfort of your armchair