ABOUT US - A HISTORY OF WILTON PARK

"Wilton Park was a house and is an institution; but its essence was always more. Its aim was and is to unite people: to bring together those who disagree, often violently, and by patient, outspoken discussion of their conflicting views and assumptions, to reconcile rivals and enemies in recognition of their common humanity, their shared problems and their joint hopes of peace. In today’s strife-torn world, no task could be more urgent. For more than fifty years, Wilton Park has shown what can be done with care, tact, frankness and delicate hard work."

IN VICTORY, MAGNANIMITY, IN PEACE, GOODWILL –
A HISTORY OF WILTON PARK by RICHARD MAYNE

Wilton Park 1946-1951 ‘The Prisoners University’

Wilton Park began its work on 12 January 1946 as part of an initiative inspired by Sir Winston Churchill for Britain to help establish a successful democracy in Germany after the Second World War.

The subjects debated at Wilton Park in its early days are still topical today. ‘The Labour Government’s Task in Europe’ was the theme discussed by the first visiting speaker, Richard Crossman, later a Labour Minister, on 2 February 1946. European policy and democracy building remain at the heart of Wilton Park’s mission.

Wilton Park’s name comes from its original home as a prisoner of war camp in the grounds of an eighteenth century house called Wilton Park, near Beaconsfield. The house, also known as the White House, no longer exists.

A Forum for Democracy

From 1946-8, more than 4,000 German PoWs discussed democratic processes with visiting British intellectuals and political figures such as the philosopher Bertrand Russell, the social reformer Lord William Beveridge and Lady Astor, the first female Member of Parliament.

The atmosphere was more that of an English residential university college than a prison. Prisoners, all volunteers, were free to travel outside the perimeters. “Any prisoner could escape if he wished, but none do so” wrote the Editor of the New Statesman magazine, Kingsley Martin, in an article in April 1946 on what he called the ‘Prisoners’ University’

A New Home at Wiston House

With the departure of the PoWs in June 1948, Wilton Park became an academically independent centre under the Foreign Office. Wilton Park’s new civilian status involved a move from Beaconsfield in late 1950. It took its already well-respected name of Wilton park with it, re-opening in January 1951 with the 32nd session in the beautiful setting of Wiston House in West Sussex, where it has been ever since.

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