Urdd Gobaith Cymru calls for a review of The Welsh Language Act. The aim of Urdd Gobaith Cymru is to ensure that all the young people of Wales are given the opportunity, through the medium of the Welsh language, to develop into mature individuals, and to empower them to play a constructive role in the community, by encouraging personal and social skills. In order to create the best circumstances for the organisation to achieve this aim, it is time, fourteen years after the passing of the last Welsh Language Act, to review the legislation and to consider improvements to make it more relevant to today’s Wales.

As part of the consultation undertaken by the Welsh Assembly Government on the future of the Welsh Language Board some months ago, the Urdd expressed a wish to review the current legislation relating to the Welsh Language.The concept of ‘rights’ is especially relevant to children and young people and the Urdd wishes to ensure that every young person who wishes to receive youth service provision is able to do so in the language of their choice. Raising the profile of Welsh in the Workplace is also important to children and young people, especially those receiving Welsh medium education, considering their varied linguistic background.The Urdd’s work provides opportunities for children and young people to use their Welsh in social and leisure contexts, which improve their linguistic confidence, in accordance with the aims of ‘Iaith Pawb’ to create a bilingual society.As the Assembly now has new powers, Assembly Members should ensure that enough time is given to discuss and to debate improvements to the current legislation. We are aware that Ireland has a structure which includes a Language Commissioner, and we believe that this could be a pattern to follow.It is also timely to review the Act in the light of the changes which are happening currently in the equalities field, including the possibility of introducing a Single Equalities Act in Westminster. At that time, there will be a need to consider the powers of the Welsh Language Board with the powers given by the Single Equalities Act to other equality agencies.A meeting was held on the Eisteddfod field on 31 May by a number of other Welsh organisations, who are also keen to give their support to the revision of the current legislation, and a further meeting will be held on 29 June.Any other organisations would be welcome to join us in discussions to consider what would be the best way to achieve this aim. Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of the Urdd, said:"The Urdd has a long tradition of setting example in the life of our country, and to contribute in an effective way to ensure the future vitality of the language, and our aim in making this announcement is to encourage Wales’ politicians to ensure the best environment for the language to thrive."Original copy of Press Release (PDF - urdd.org)