Wales for Peace Conference

From left to right; Evan Brockbank, Adam Dodd, Megan Rose and Lowri McQuire Jones

Wales for Peace Conference, Coleg Cambria 2015

The Wales for Peace Conference was created by WCIA and further information on the ideals and hopes for this project can be found at http://www.wcia.org.uk/walesforpeace.html.

The four students from the IB attended the conference to learn more about the project; hearing from David Melding AM about his own understanding and links with previous wars; the Falklands and the former Yugoslavia. He gave a heartrending account of his role as Deputy Presiding Officer and his journeys to the Falklands and Srebenica where he talked about his 'hero', Howard Tucker and all the former Gwent police officer had done in the search for truth and justice in the former Yugoslavia.

Two schools. Maes Garmon and David Hughes. also presented their projects to the assembled group, explaining how a £1000 grant had enabled them to research and create lasting exhibitions regarding the effects war, most notably the First World War had on their local areas.

After lunch saw talks by the Urdd and the Message of Peace and Goodwill before Aled Edwards brought us up to date with pictures and a talk on the current refugee crisis in Syria and Europe.

The central premise of the conference, however, was to ask 'What can young people do for peace?' Harvey Craddock, a 15 year old student from Darland High gave a rousing speech focusing on 3 key aspects - empathy, kindness and communication and his central message - "Don't let bitterness steal sweetness. You have the power to make the world a better place"

The afternoon sessions saw interactive workshops utilising art with Dr Maria Hayes as a message to explore the theme of Peace and Wales and the final pieces will be exhibited at the Senedd on Remembrance Day and will form part of a larger installation in the National Library for Wales.


Lowri and Megan felt that this creative challenge allowed them to reflect on the idea of peace using the Welsh symbols; coal and slate and the ideas of Maslow's Hierarchy of Need, although Evan was not overly impressed with the simplistic nature of the task. He much preferred the next workshop where he had the opportunity to explore the Conscientious Objectors  Act of 1916. Here he had the opportunity to read actual statements from the people of Ceredigion and the outcome of the tribunals and appeals. Adam was involved in the Hidden Histories workshop where he got involved in the process of digitisation with Archives Wales. Although he found the experience interesting, his opinions on war and also peace were unchanged whereas the others were much more engaged with Peace as a way forward. Lowri especially wished to have more involvement with the WCIA and the peace project for her voluntary role with the Guiding Association and has already begun communications with Hanna Hughes, the North Wales communities coordinator. 

The IB students have now become the first generation of a new legacy for Wales with the Wales for Peace project and we hope to engage further with this project in the next four years.