The Institute of Welsh Affairs is an independent, think-tank based in the capital of Wales, Cardiff.[1] It focuses its research on politics, culture, economy, education, environment, science and technology in Wales, with the aim of developing plans for "policy innovation and improvement"[2] and promoting new thinking on Welsh issues. It publishes reports on the research it carries out, and organises public seminars and conferences to encourage discussion and debate. It is highly regarded for the quality of its work and its commitment to informed public discussion.
The Institute of Welsh Affairs was created on 22 July 1987 (Company No: 02151006).
The IWA is a membership based organisation, it has about 1,200 individual and 150 corporate members, and more than 100 Fellows. The corporate members include BBC Wales, British Gas, Cardiff County Council, Corus Steel, Eversheds, Julian Hodge Bank, ITV Wales, the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, S4C, Welsh Water, and the University of Wales.
The Institute is governed by a Board of Trustees. Its first chairman was Henry Kroch, then chairman of AB Electronics.
In November 2010, the Board members were Eurfyl ap Gwilym, Guy Clarke, Rhys David, Geraint Talfan Davies (Chairman), Peter Davies, Sue Essex, Nigel Griffiths, Gerald Holtham, Megan Mathias, Rob Humphreys, Robert Jolliffe, Ruth Marks, Chris O'Malley, Wendy Sadler, Professor John Tucker, Sir Adrian Webb, Dr. Ruth Williams and Professor Laura McAllister.
The IWA has five area branches – for north Wales, west Wales, Swansea Bay, Gwent, and Cardiff and the Valleys. A sixth 'virtual' branch - IWA Women - has been formed to raise the profile of women's concerns in Wales and to increase the engagement of women with the IWA and civil society in Wales more generally.
Approximately one third of the IWA's income is from membership subscriptions, the remainder coming mainly from the funding of specific research projects by trusts and foundations, and other public and private organisations.
The IWA publishes a journal three times a year (in spring, summer and winter), called Agenda. First published in 1994, Agenda contains articles on current issues in Wales, written by academics, politicians and business people, and a wide range of participants from Welsh civil society. It publishes a regular bulletin on developments in the Assembly, Assembly Bwletin Cynulliad, published in association with Grayling Wales. In addition, the IWA has published many research reports, discussion papers and books.
In November 2006 the IWA published a report entitled Time to Deliver: The Third Term and Beyond. This looked at policy options for the Assembly’s third term, and was the result of work by eight study groups in individual policy areas.
In 2010 the IWA's director, John Osmond was asked by the Older People's Commissioner to carry out a study exploring Welsh policy responses to our rapidly ageing society, in particular the Welsh Government’s policy which has been developing in a number of innovative ways since 2003. The findings were published in the bilingual report, 'Adding Life to Years / Ychwanegu Bywyd at a y Blynyddoedd'.
The IWA's most recent publication, entitled 'Engaging Wales' disengaged youth', explores the issue of so-called 'NEETS' - Children Not in Education, Employment of Training. It contains contributions from experts in the fields of youth policy, education, employment, and youth-centred charities. A full list of the IWA's research outputs is available on its website Archived 2011-02-05 at the Wayback Machine.
One of the IWA’s central activities is holding events which are designed to bring information to the public on a host of public policy issues. The events range from the smaller ‘coffee shop’ debates to full-scale conferences.
Typically, an IWA event will focus on a contested issue in Welsh politics. It will bring in an expert (or number of experts) who have detailed knowledge and understanding of the issue, to clearly present both side’s arguments clearly. This is inline with the first part of its mission, which to help raise the level of public debate on issues affecting Wales, by placing quality information in the public domain.
In 2010 the IWA began the Inspire Wales Awards, in association with the Western Mail. The Awards aimed to raise the profile of Welsh men and women who are making a contribution to our society, to encourage active citizenship and create role models for others.