Posted in News on Aug 05, 2025.
'The University of Wales Trinity Saint David recently played host to an extraordinary two-day gathering that brought together some of the world’s most thoughtful voices in sustainability, peacebuilding, and intergenerational dialogue.
Organised by the UNESCO-MOST BRIDGES International Programme Office (IPO) at UWTSD, the inaugural Bridging Futures: Connecting Today’s Decisions to Tomorrow’s Needs took place at the Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea on 16 July 2025. The event welcomed a diverse audience of policymakers, young leaders, Indigenous representatives, educators, and members of the public.
At the heart of the programme was a deeply moving and widely praised lecture by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Phan Thị Kim Phúc. Known internationally as the ‘Napalm Girl’ from the Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of the Vietnam War, Kim has since become a powerful advocate for peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Her keynote address left a lasting impression on all who attended, interweaving her personal story with a broader call for compassion and shared global responsibility. She was introduced by UWTSD’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elwen Evans KC, who offered a heartfelt and warm welcome, reflecting on Kim’s global impact and the significance of her message in today’s world.
“Peace begins with compassion for ourselves, for each other, and for the planet,” Phan Thị Kim Phúc said, reflecting on her time in Swansea. “I shared not only my story, but a message that pain can be transformed into purpose, and that together, we can build a more just and peaceful future.”'
Read the full Press Release on the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's Newsroom. Published 1 August 2025.
