Author Archives: Ruth Richards

DYFODOL WELCOMES THE COMMISSIONER’S DOCUMENT ON WELSH MEDIUM CHILDCARE AND EARLY YEARS PROVISION

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith has welcomed the Welsh Language Commissioner’s recent briefing note on Welsh Medium Childcare and Early Years Education as a revealing  document, which raises challenging questions.

The document outlines the challenges and opportunities for the provision of childcare and pre-school education in the context of the Welsh Government’s aim to create a million Welsh speakers by 2050. Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said:

“The Government needs to face the workforce training needs to establish a strong foundation for Welsh medium pre-school care and education, and this document clearly shows how much needs to be done. It paints a perilous picture for some areas, and we would hope that this will raise discussion on a local and national level.”

 

 

WELCOME FOR THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE BBC AND S4C

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Dyfodol i’r Iaith, the Welsh language lobbying movement, has welcomed the newly signed agreement between the BBC and S4C.  Ruth Richards, chief executive of the movement, commented,

“The Agreement will give S4C financial stability for the next ten years.  We now look forward to seeing the Channel giving appropriate attention to developing the use of new technologies.  Nevertheless, we want confirmation that funding will at least take account of any future inflation. We also want to know how does this affect Euryn Ogwen Williams’ review of S4C.”

“Dyfodol i’r Iaith has supported the need for a pragmatic financial settlement until the Welsh Government can develop responsibility for broadcasting in Wales.  This agreement is to be welcomed as part of a comprehensive programme of promoting the Welsh language.”

PUBLIC MEETING IN LLANBED: NEW HOPE FOR THE WELSH LANGUAGE

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Poster Llanbedr Pont Steffan

We will be holding a Public Meeting at the vestry of Capel Brondeifi in Llanbed on the 17th November at 7 p.m., with Heini Gruffudd, Cynog Dafis, and our special guest, Ben Lake MP. There will be a warm welcome, so if you’re in the area, do please join us.

This meeting is part of Dyfodol’s programme to hold public meeting across Wales.

One aim of these meetings is to gain information from local communities; what helps the Welsh language locally? What are the challenges?

Another aim is to present to you how Dyfodol I’r iaith wish to see thing develop. We want to prioritise the promotion of the Welsh language in the community, the home and the workplace, so that Welsh speakers are given the opportunity to use the language.

Currently, and perhaps for the last half century, the emphasis has been on gaining status for the language and the rights of the individual. By now, we must change the emphasis to concentrate on creating opportunities for Welsh speakers to use the language.

Since its foundation 5 years ago, Dyfydol i’r Iaith has seen many of its recommendations accepted, including:

  • The founding of a dozen Welsh Language Centres
  • Establishing a National Centre for Welsh for Adults
  • The inclusion of the Welsh language in planning legislation
  • Establishing a second Welsh radio channel
  • £2 million to promote the Welsh language

The next major step will be for the Welsh government to establish a body with responsibility for leading on language planning and promotion. This is the theme of a white paper recently produced by the government, and we hope to see this body established by 2020.

The major theme for the next 20 years will be to see more Welsh speakers, and just as importantly, to facilitate opportunities for people to use the language.

This cannot happen without careful planning and creative action. Neither can it come about under the current situation, where political changes can disrupt plans, and local authorities and other bodies remain complacent.

As a lobbying group, which influences government, Dyfodol i’r Iaith needs your support, and attracting new members will naturally be another aim of this meeting.

We look forward to working together powerfully and creatively.