Dyfodol is proud to announce that it will be hosting two presentations at Pabell y Cymdeithasau during this year’s Eisteddfod. On Wednesday 8th August, Gwion Lewis will be analysing the Welsh language within the planning system, and the following Friday, Eluned Morgan will be discussing new structures to promote the language.
Plenty of food for thought, then, and a warm welcome awaits you. We look forward to seeing you at the Eisteddfod!
Dyfodol i’r Iaith has welcomed the Welsh Government’s Programme for the Welsh language. The organization believes that this Programme, along with the proposed new Commission will build upon experience, by continuing to regulate the language, while putting more emphasis than has been seen in the past on its promotion.
Heini Gruffudd, the organization’s Chair, said:
“There is much to welcome here. Dyfodol i’r Iaith have been pressing from the start for a better balance between regulation and the positive promotion of the Welsh language, and we believe that we need to invest in structures and policies that can achieve this. We need to work towards increasing language skills and creating opportunities to use the language in everyday life; in the home, the workplace and the community. We must expand our horizons, and this Programme, which acknowledges the importance of education, and which is based on the principles of language planning, is a significant step in the right direction.”
He warned however that the success of the Programme, and of the Commission needs to be backed up by investment and commitment:
“The Programme is an ambitious one in terms of language growth – and we welcome that, of course – but it must be given sufficient resources if it is to succeed.”
Thank you to everyone who attended our meeting at Galeri in Caernarfon on May 26th to hear Adam Price discuss the concept of Arfor. The principle behind the scheme is the foundation of a partnership body for the north and west (Môn, Gwynedd, Ceredigion, and Caerfyrddin); those areas where the Welsh language is at its strongest. Since these areas face the same challenges and opportunities regarding language, culture and economic development, a body such as Arfor would allow for strategic planning and development; an approach that would acknowledge culture as a key element.
Adam outlined the urgent problem of out-migration from these areas; that 117,000 young people have left these counties over the past decade. One of the first steps to challenging this trend, Adam argued, is to recognise the Welsh language as a valuable resource, which can potentially contribute to economic growth. Indeed, he emphasised that a strong local identity provides a strong and viable foundation for regeneration.
With £2 million available to develop these ideas, the initial challenge is to plan an appropriate and sustainable structure for the long term. A structure which, as Adam puts it, makes the most of the “high level opportunity to re-draw the map.” Following the agreement of a Strategic Plan and management structure, the possibilities can be fully explored and developed – innovative ideas such as Enterprise Towns and Community Banks, infrastructure projects (such as transport), as well as making the most of, and co-ordinating the good practice which already exists across the various organisations and sectors.
There was an opportunity for further discussion following the presentation. Support for the Welsh language beyond its heartlands was discussed, and it was agreed that Arfor had to provide inspiration beyond its boundaries, and encourage wider ownership of its principles.
Since reversing the tendency for younger people to leave the north and west is one of the scheme’s main aims, it was agreed that colleges and Universities have a key role to play, and that incentives should be made available to students to study locally, with a view to contributing to the area’s future economic prosperity.
Among the other matters raised was the importance of positive action – extending Welsh language administration within the public sector, for instance. It was also stressed that we need to celebrate all that has been achieved already, and establish these successes as a foundation for further development.