What do we mean by Peace Heritage?
At the heart of the ‘Wales for Peace’ project lies a question:
In the 100 years since the First World War, how has Wales contributed to the search
for peace?
In order to answer this question, we want to explore both Wales’ contributions to
international peace, and how peace has developed within Wales. This peace heritage is
made up of the historical materials, personal accounts and creative responses that have
formed part of people’s search for peace.
In particular, Wales’ peace heritage relates to:
1. The immediate impact of the two World Wars on Wales. This is our starting point,
as we want to explore the link between the impact of war and the motivation to
search for peace. This heritage includes:
a. the stories of those who died, especially in the First World War;
b. the impact of war on families and local communities; and
c. the experiences of conscientious objectors
2. The ‘Peace Builders’ of Wales. This will include the stories of individual people and
organisations who have worked for peace over the last hundred years, including:
a. mass movements that have mobilised large sections of the public;
b. political figures who have played important roles in international peacebuilding efforts;
c. peace advocates and campaigners such as CND Cymru and the Greenham
Common women; and
d. youth movements such as the Urdd.
3. Wales and its communities. We will explore the legacy of conflicts past and present
on Wales, and the development of peace between different communities. This will
include:
a. the experiences of refugees and asylum seekers who have come to Wales,
past and present; and
b. the heritage of intercultural understanding within communities in Wales.
4. Attitudes to peace today. Heritage doesn’t just refer to the past. It is something
living, which continues to shift and change and is continually being recreated. For
this reason we will gather the views of people of all ages and backgrounds on how
they see peace and conflict today, including a critical evaluation of the idea that
Wales is a ‘peaceful’ nation.
By 2019 we hope to have a much clearer picture of the individuals and stories that make up
Wales’ peace heritage. However, we can’t make this journey on our own. Would you like to
help us uncover this heritage in your area? If so, contact walesforpeace@wcia.org.uk
What is a Peace Hero?
If you were asked to name your favourite hero, I wonder who it would be? A sportsperson,
perhaps, or a TV or film character? Maybe there is also someone in your community you
really admire - someone who stands up for what they believe in, is courageous and who
works hard for others less fortunate than themselves.
What if you were then asked to name a peace hero? This may be more difficult because it’s
not something we are often asked to do. Famous examples include Mahatma Ghandi, who
led the non-violent struggle for India’s independence from Britain’s colonial rule and Martin
Luther King, leader of the civil rights movement in the United States. A famous peace hero
in Wales is Henry Richard, born in Tregaron in 1812, who campaigned for the principle of
international arbitration to solve conflicts between countries non-violently. Through his hard
work and determination, a resolution supporting this principle was passed in the British
Parliament in 1873.
Peace heroes should be people who have worked for peace and justice, but they don’t have
to be famous. ‘Ordinary’ people in Wales were very much involved in the struggle against
apartheid in South Africa, and women travelled from South Wales to take part in the protest
against the arms base at Greenham Common – to name but two examples.
The Wales for Peace project is gathering examples of peace heroes (and heroines) in
Wales’ history over the last century, so that we can get a clearer idea of our peace heritage.
Do you have a story you would like to share? If so, contact us at
walesforpeace@wcia.org.uk or 029 2082 1051.
Peace Schools in Wales
One of the longer-term aims of the Wales for Peace project is to create a ‘Peace Schools
Scheme’ for Wales. The exact nature of this scheme will be explored and developed as the
project’s activities are delivered, but elements of a ‘peace school’ may include:
 exploring and sharing Wales’ peace heritage through piloting curriculum materials
linked to the stories of individuals and groups who have promoted peace in Wales, or
through critically examining the impact of war on communities;
 participating in other project activities, such as our annual Schools Conference or
Peace Heroes Competition;
 involving learners in producing and signing up to a whole-school statement
reflecting a commitment to peace;
 creating a warm and welcoming community built on listening, understanding and
respect;
 developing the skills and attitudes necessary for critical thinking and respectful
discussion through initiatives such as Philosophy for Children;
 developing whole-school practices which promote respectful and harmonious
communities, such as peer support and mediation.
Some schools in Wales are already members of peace schools schemes, and we hope to
listen to and build on their experiences in order to create a scheme which is distinctively
Welsh.
Would you like to be part of this journey? If so, contact the Wales for Peace Learning
Coordinator at janeharries@wcia.org.uk