It was a historic week for the Welsh language in the National Assembly as Members established a cross party group for the language. There was representation present from all parties and Keith Davies AM was elected as chair person. Mudiadau Dathlu'r Gymraeg - Celebrating Our Language umbrella group will act as secretariat on behalf of the group.

The group's terms of reference will be to discuss and highlight matters relating to the Welsh language; work together to ensure the Welsh language gets a fair deal both within and outside the Assembly; and promote and increase awareness of any issues affecting the Welsh language.

Five areas were identified as key priorities: The Welsh Language Commissioner & Welsh Language Measure ; the Government's Welsh Language Strategy; the Future of Welsh Language Communities; Education; and the Media. It is intended that the group will meet on a quarterly basis, with the next meeting scheduled in March, focusing on the new Welsh in Education Strategic Plans, which forms part of the new system responsible for the national increase and expansion of Welsh-medium provision. The Welsh Language Commissioner to address the group at the subsequent meeting.

Said Rebecca Williams on behalf of Mudiadau Dathlu'r Gymraeg - Celebrating Our Language,

"We welcome the fact that a cross party group has now been officially established on the Welsh language. It was extremely encouraging to find a widespread interest in the idea and a genuine enthusiasm amongst all AM's at this first meeting."

"Mudiadau Dathlu'r Gymraeg - Celebrating Our Language recognised that cross party groups already existed for other fields of interest, but that there was an obvious gap in regards to the Welsh language, and this was the motivation for facilitating the establishment of the group."

"With the new Welsh Language Commissioner starting her work in April, we have a new and exciting period in front of us. We hope to see a wider range of better Welsh language services provided for the benefit of everyone in Wales, and especially the 70,000 members we represent. it is our vision that this cross party group will offer an open and inclusive forum to discuss a wide range of matters relating to the Welsh language, and will give politicians, experts and the wider public the opportunity to share ideas and opinions within this new context."

Said Keith Davies AM,
“I am delighted to have been voted Chair for the Cross Party Group on the Welsh Language.”

“This Assembly term will be an exciting time for the Welsh Language; with numerous developments, such as The Welsh Language Commissioner, the Welsh in Education Strategic Plans, and the challenges brought by cuts to the S4C budget.”

“I was surprised this group had not been established a long time ago. I am glad it is now in operation, and can start work immediately to ensure a fair place and treatment for the Welsh Language.”

“This is an issue close to my heart, and I am proud to be able to play a pivotal role in this group.”

DATGANIAD I'R WASG - PRESS RELEASE  - 21/10/2011

S4C's future – language groups call for committee's recommendations to be adopted

Welsh language umbrella group Mudiadau Dathlu'r Gymraeg (Celebrating our Language) has called on the UK Government to adopt the recommendations of the Welsh Affairs Select Committee on the future of S4C.





The report was published in May this year, and it represents a cross-party consensus on a number of key recommendations including: holding an independent review of S4C as soon as possible; putting a long term funding formula in primary legislation; a smaller cut to the channel’s budget, comparable to  other public service broadcasters; creating a new multi-platform S4C; giving a more prominent role to the Welsh Government over S4C and ensuring accountability and transparency for the channel in the future.

With the Public Bodies Bill making its way through Parliament at the moment, the umbrella group believes that these recommendations should steer the Government’s next steps as they decide on the future of the channel.

Tegwen Morris on behalf of the Mudiadau Dathlu'r Gymraeg – Celebrating Our Language group, said:

"We welcome the recommendations of the select committee on Welsh Affairs and believe that the Government should show its commitment to S4C’s future by putting those recommendations into action. Following the appointment of a new Chair and Chief Executive over recent weeks, we believe now is not the time to make capricious decisions on the future of the channel."

“While we recognise that the government is already pushing ahead with their plans at the moment, we consider that the most logical first step is to hold a comprehensive and transparent independent review before rushing in to including S4C in any law which would threaten its existence. We add to the calls heard already by the leaders of the main parties in Wales to hold a full review of the channel before deciding anything."

"Since its foundation, S4C has been a cornerstone for Welsh culture and a unique investment in the Welsh language and the media industry. It has played a central part in the normalisation of the Welsh language, by ensuring that children hear the language outside school and by producing programmes of an international standard. So, we are asking for a an review to be held urgently to facilitate a meaningful public debate about the future of the channel in full consultation with the people of Wales.."

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For further information cantact :- Ceri Owen 07912 175403

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We write to you as the Mudiadau Dathlu’r Gymraeg – Celebrating Our Language, an umbrella group which represents 20 organisations who work to promote the Welsh language, to express our strong view that any application to secure an internet domain name for Wales is a Welsh language one.

As a group we represent over 70,000 people, and one of our core aims is to ensure that our members can see, hear and use the language in every aspect of their lives.

In a period where the internet plays an increasingly important part in communication and networking, it’s vital that the Welsh name of our country “.cymru” is visible online, as a clear statement of our confidence as a bilingual nation.

Actually, a number of national organisations, including some of the members of Mudiadau Dathlu'r Gymraeg, have already opted to build-in ‘Cymru’ as part of their public identity. This is now accepted as a norm by Welsh and non-Welsh speakers alike, along with people outside Wales.

We would be very concerned to see a situation develop which would prevent institutions and individuals from using the address ".cymru”, as that would not give the freedom for us to have Welsh language online addresses, nor a correct reflection of us as a country where the Welsh language belongs to everyone.

We trust that the Welsh and UK Governments will ensure that “.cymru” becomes operational in the near future.

Mudiadau Dathlu’r Gymraeg – Celebrating Our Language

www.dathlu.org

Celebrating Our Language (Mudiadau Dathlu’r Gymraeg) is today celebrating the fact that the new Welsh Language Measure is now law. This is the first time for the Welsh Assembly Government to legislate on the Welsh language, a language that belongs to everyone one in Wales, Welsh speakers or not. We welcome the giving the Welsh language official status and the creation of a Welsh language Commissioner as part of the measure. Celebrating our Language also welcomes the amendment regarding the rights of the individual to appeal in the measure and looks forward to seeing the governments of the future building on this innovation.

Said Ceri Owen on behalf of Celebrating Our Language (Mudiadau Dathlu’r Gymraeg) :-
“ We look forward to working with the powers of the new Measure to ensure more opportunities for people to use the Welsh language.
We believe that there is true potential being offered for the language to continue to be relevant into the twenty first century.
All the members of the organisations that are part of Celebrating Our Language wish to participate in activities through the medium of Welsh and we hope that this Measure will help in achieving this.

We hope that the Welsh Language Measure will make a real difference to the everyday lives of Welsh speakers by enabling them to use the language with public services and telecommunications in a natural and hassle free way.”

Mudiadau Dathlu’r Gymraeg would like to thank the Heritage Minister for his readiness to listen and consult throughout the process of drafting the Measure.

Celebrating Our Language believe that the Measure is a good foundation to develop towards the future and we would welcome further measures as well as practical and financial support from the government in the future.

Members of ‘Celebrating Our Language’ include: Cyfeillion y Ddaear (Friends of the Earth), Cymdeithas Alawon Gwerin, Cymdeithas y Cymod, Cymdeithas Cyfieithwyr Cymru (The Association of Welsh Translators and Interpreters), CYDAG, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, Cymuned, Yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol (The National Eisteddfod), Mentrau Iaith Cymru, Merched y Wawr, Eglwys Bresbyteraidd Cymru (The Presbyterian Church of Wales), RHAG (Parents for Welsh Medium Education), UCAC, UMCA, UMCB, Undeb Amaethwyr Cymru (Farmers' Union Wales), Urdd Gobaith Cymru.


For further information cantact :- Ceri Owen 07912 175403