Welsh Government
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First Minister’s call for action on the Welsh language

People from across Wales with an interest in the Welsh language are being asked to take action on its future in a national online conversation.

For the first time people can express their views, share their ideas and experiences and make a difference to future policy on the Welsh language by using a number of online tools, including an online forum, completing an online survey or through social networking on Facebook and Twitter using the #iaithfyw.

The online campaign is part of a wider national conversation on the Welsh language, A Living Language: Have your say, which was launched by the First Minister at the Urdd Eisteddfod at the end of May and involves a number of community group discussions across Wales, culminating in a one-day conference, Y Gynhadledd Fawr, to be held in Aberystwyth on the 4th July.

The call for action comes on the day invitations have been issued to people across Wales and from a range of ages and of all backgrounds for Iaith Fyw: Y Gynhadledd Fawr. As  interest in the conference is high and restrictions on delegate places due to the size of the venue, individual invites have been issued to ensure that we have a wide cross section of representatives from the community and from different organisations. People will also be able to take part on the day as the event will be streamed live on the internet.

The views, opinions, ideas and examples of best practice shared in the conference, community discussions and online will be used to inform the Welsh Government’s vision for the future of the language and to further develop the policies that will see the language thrive.

The First Minister said,

“This is such an important opportunity for anyone with an interest in the Welsh language to have their say and make an impact on future decisions about the language.

“This is the first time we have had an online conversation on this topic and I hope that it encourages people from all backgrounds and abilities in Welsh to take part, particularly young people who we know are key to the future of the language.

“When the Census figures were published and showed the fragile nature of the language people were quick to express their views on what we should be doing to better promote the language. I call on all those people and anyone else with an interest in our language to get online and have your say.”

Related

Links

A living language: a language for living - Welsh language strategy 2012 to 2017

HELPING LOCAL COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES TO PROSPER