This is a fateful time for the Welsh language. The Welsh Government has announced the intention to set up a new Commission that will lead on all aspects of promoting and regulating the language. This is a golden opportunity for expansion and working positively towards the language’s growth.

But, if we are to see this Commission make a real difference, we must press for a strong body; one which makes the most of language planning expertise and good practice. It must also be adequately resourced. We are calling for a Commission that call coordinate all the diverse sectors and influence all Government Departments to ensure comprehensive collaboration to build on what has already been achieved. We need a Commission that can respond to the tough challenges that lie ahead.

We will be pressing for appropriate priorities to support language growth. We wish to see a National Language Commission that will:

• Promote the Welsh language within the family and the community
• Promote Welsh-medium education
• Give a centrall role to Welsh history and awareness within schools
• Create a comprehensive programme to learn the language in the workplace, education and the home
• Contribute to planning homes and economic development in the language’s heartlands
• Contribute to making the Welsh language a common feature on the streets of our cities, towns and villages
• Introduce a programme for Welsh Language Centres, which will become a powerhouse for the language within our communities
• Give help and support in administering the language standards
• Create language standards for the private sector

We cannot achieve this without putting pressure on the politicians, and over the coming months, we must increase our workload if we are to realize our hopes.

In response to this challenge, we wish to establish an office, with a full-time lobbying officer in Cardiff Bay, to work proactively and respond immediately to all the developments and strengthen our profile with the politicians and officers within the Senedd to get the best outcome for the Welsh language.

We need to raise £50,000.00 to achieve this. As an independent and politically unaligned organisation, Dyfodol is totally dependent on the support of individuals who share our vision. We are already influential, thanks to the generosity of our members and supporters.

Will you support us, and pride yourselves on working together to contribute to the future success of the Welsh language?

Dyfodol i’r Iaith has called for the Welsh Government to take specific steps to encourage Wales’ pupils to study in Welsh Universities, rather than encouraging them to study in England.

Following the publishing of figures that suggest that fewer students now study through the medium of Welsh, Dyfodol i’r Iaith wants to see the Government giving financial support only to students studying in Wales, if the University courses are available in the country.

Dyfodol i’r Iaith also wants to see the Seren Network, which targets talented pupils in Wales, concentrating on encouraging students to study in Wales.

Heini Gruffudd, Chair of Dyfodol i’r Iaith, said, “The Government has an ambitious target for increasing the number of Welsh speakers, but some of its policies are dismantling this target.  We have been throwing money at universities in England by sending our students there, and that means that none of these students will study through the medium of Welsh.

Mr Gruffudd added, “Recently the Seren Network has been targeted talented pupils in an attempt to get them to study in the Russell Group of Universities, of which only Cardiff is in Wales.  This is an insult to other Welsh Universities, and the Policy will lead to a decrease in the number of students studying through the medium of Welsh.”

“Wales, as far as I know, is the only country in the world which wants to see most of its students study in another country for their first degree.”

PLANNING AND THE WELSH LANGUAGE: ENSURING A SUPPORTIVE SYSTEM

The link between the planning system and ensuring the viability of the Welsh language in its various communities has long been acknowledged. In the context of the Government’s aim to create a million Welsh speakers by 2050, the current challenge is to ensure that the planning system supports, rather than hinders this ambition.

 Over the past few months, new blueprints for a Planning Framework and Planning Policy for Wales have been published. But how likely are these developments to have a positive impact on the Welsh language? And how can the system be reformed in order to ensure conditions that promote the growth of the language?

These are some of the questions that will be discussed by Gwion Lewis at Dyfodol i’r Iaith’s presentation at Pabell y Cymdeithasau during the Eisteddfod in Cardiff this year. The organisation is proud to welcome Gwion, a s a speaker who has immense expertise in this complex field, and who has the talent to make his knowledge accessible to all.

 Gwion Lewis is a Barrister with Landmark Chambers in London, who specialises in planning law, and in accordance with his own background and interests, is uniquely placed to discuss his expertise within the context of Wales and the Welsh language. The meeting will be held at 11.45 am, Wednesday August 8 at Pabell y Cymdeithasau.

A NEW COMMISSION FOR THE WELSH LANGUAGE: AN OPPORTUNITY TO BROADEN THE AGENDA?

What can we expect of the new Commission announced by the Government to support the aim of creating a million Welsh speakers by 2050? Dyfodol i’r Iaith is certainly eager to learn more, and to discuss the new structures aimed at addressing the challenge of promoting the language’s growth.

 Dyfodol i’r Iaith is very pleased therefore to welcome the Welsh Language Minister, Eluned Morgan to address our meeting at Pabell y Cymdeithasau during the Eisteddfod in Cardiff this year. This will be an opportunity to learn more about the Government’s vision and the principles which underpin it.

 Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol’s Chair said:

 “Dyfodol i’r Iaith has long campaigned for a new policy direction in relation to the Welsh language, and we believe there is much to welcome in the Government’s latest announcements. We will obviously be keeping a close eye on how things develop, and we look forward to discussing this with the politicians over the coming months. We would wish to see a framework and structures which allow consideration of the language’s needs across all policy areas, and a broader vision, which emphasises growth, in terms of the number of people who can speak Welsh and the opportunities to speak it.”

 “We look forward to hearing what the Minister has to say, and to questioning her through our panel. Clearly, we will be emphasising the importance of commitment and sufficient resources if this new chapter is to succeed.”

 The meeting will be held at Pabell y Cymdeithasau at 1.15pm on Friday August 10.