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Heinz Koeppler sits at a desk

1946

Heinz Koeppler establishes Wilton Park.

A portrait of Nancy Astor in black and white.

1947

Lady Astor, the first woman to take a seat in the UK Parliament, spoke at Wilton Park on “Women in Public Life”.

Attendees sit for a group photo at the first session at Wiston House

1951

Wilton Park relocates to Wiston House, Sussex.

The Duke of Edinburgh walks up a path as he visits Wilton Park.

1968

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visits Wilton Park’s 100th conference.

A black and white image of industrial pollution. as smokes bellows from towers.

1972

Wilton Park’s 143rd conference explored the ecological crisis and its societal impact, marking Wilton Park as an early voice on environment and sustainability.

Edward Heath disembarks a helicopter.

1973

Prime Minister Edward Heath and the French President, Georges Pompidou, agree discussions on European enlargement should be addressed at Wilton Park and create the European Discussion Centre.

A gas station is empty with a sign saying 'pumps closed'

1975

In the wake of the OAPEC oil embargo, Wilton Park began tackling global energy concerns, focusing on European energy security and reducing reliance on imports.

A bronze statue of Nelson Mandela with his arms outstretched.

1980

Wilton Park becomes a venue for South African representatives to discuss the transition from apartheid

Image shows people working at a TV editing desk.

1983

As satellite broadcasting and global news networks begin reshaping diplomacy, Wilton Park examines how the communications revolution is transforming political decision-making and international relations.

1986

Mikhail Gorbachev’s reforms in the Soviet Union enabled the first Soviet participants at Wilton Park events.

A wide angle shot of Haikko manor in Porvoo, Finland. It is a large manor style building in large grounds.

1988

The first overseas Wilton Park conference takes place in Finland, on East-West relations.

An image of the Berlin Wall shortly after its fall. Hole in the wall with view through to a carpark in the east, Trabant and Lada cars. A coke can is attached to the fence on the fence.

1988

Discussions during a 1988 Wilton Park conference predict the the collapse of the Soviet Union.

1994

Post-Cold War, Wilton Park conferences focus on implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention — a landmark arms control agreement signed in 1993 to take effect in 1997.

Damaged buildings in Sarajevo.

1999

Wilton Park holds a conference on the Western Balkans after Milosevic, less than three months after the end of NATO’s air campaign

The iconic red torii gates during the early morning hours at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto, Japan

2003

Conferences go beyond Europe for the first time to Japan and Brazil.

William Hague and Angelina Jolie sit at a table at Wilton Park.

2012

Rt Hon William Hague MP and Angelina Jolie, United Nations’ Special Envoy, attend Wilton Park’s conference on preventing sexual violence.

Participants at a Wilton Park event huddle together at a desk.

2018

From 2018 to 2021, Wilton Park convened multiple dialogues on promoting inclusive citizenship drawing together major local and international faith-based organisations.

The UN General Assembly Hall is pictured empty.

2019

From 2019 Wilton Park hosts a series of conferences to support UK work on responsible space behaviours culminating in the adoption of a resolution at the UN General Assembly.

A phone screen is shown with a range of AI service apps.

2020

Wilton Park convenes a series of dialogues on artificial intelligence, including on its use in the public sector. Dialogues on AI become a growing area of focus.

Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, speaks at the Opening Ceremony for Cop26 at the SEC Glasgow.

2021

Wilton Park acts as the Secretariat for the major COP26 initiative, Catalyst for Climate Action, on behalf of the UK’s COP26 Presidency.

Ribbons in the colors of the national flag of Ukraine are tied to the handrail.

2022

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Wilton Park convenes a series of dialogues on issues including economic recovery, criminal justice, information warfare, and strategic deterrence.

A piece of art by Zeina Nader showing dove against a red backdrop/

2025

Wilton Park continued its important work on faith, convening ‘the role and responsibility of religious leaders in times of war, atrocities and polarisation’ conference. The event was referenced by the UN Secretary General in his report to the General Assembly.