[2] The organisation's headquarters, the Temple of Peace in Cathays Park, was built in November 1938 by Minnie James of Dowlais, a bereaved mother of World War I victims, David Davies MP (later known as Lord Davies of Llandinam), and the King Edward VII Welsh National Memorial Association.

[3] The initiative for the foundation of the WCIA came in 1968 through a Western Mail editorial, which called for "Welshmen to look beyond the confines of Wales and Britain to extend their knowledge and understanding of the rest of the world.

"[3] Secretary of State for Wales, George Thomas MP was integral to bringing together the Association's Standing Conference.

Among the early supporters were the Welsh Office, nearby local authorities, the University of Wales and education colleges, MPs, trade unionists, industrialists, churches, political parties, members of the media, and voluntary organisations.

[4][5] The organisation's headquarters, the Temple of Peace, was previously owned by Public Health Wales, but was sold to nearby Cardiff University in 2017.