Introducing Video of the Week from Wales Arts Review. We’ll be showcasing some of the best new art in Wales with a new video shared every week. From music to drama and everything in between, videos will not be limited by medium. This week we look at the Urdd’s 99th Annual Peace and Goodwill Message.
Continuing in an unbroken 99-year tradition, Urdd Gobaith Cymru has released its Annual Peace and Goodwill Message to mark Goodwill Day on Tuesday, 18th May. The Urdd – Wales’ largest national youth organisation – has relayed a message of peace and goodwill every year without fail since 1922, from its very first message which was sent out via morse code to modern-day versions which reach tens of millions of people in countries across the world.
2021’s iteration has been made available in more languages than ever before, with 60 translations produced to help spread the message all over the world. Last year’s message reached more than 37 million people in over 40 countries and was shared by prominent supporters of the Urdd including Catherine Zeta Jones, Michael Sheen and Matthew Rhys.
This year’s message, which is based on the theme of ‘Equality for Women and Girls’, was co-written by 21 students from Swansea University after they attended the Urdd’s ‘Equality for Women and Girls’ workshop. Demonstrating that achieving equality for women and girls is “more than a hashtag”, the Urdd has committed to providing free menstrual products at its residential centres, its National Eisteddfod, and future national sports events. The measure means 32,000 of the Urdd’s members will benefit from free period products every year.
The Urdd’s residential centres will also be made available to groups of vulnerable women as relaxation retreats, while all central Urdd boards will ensure equality for women. The organisation has also said it will continue to support women through training and leadership initiatives, with a focus on sport.
As part of the celebrations of this year’s message and 99 years of the Urdd, the Senedd in Cardiff Bay will be lit up in the Urdd’s iconic red, white and green colours.
Siân Lewis, CEO of the Urdd, said: “The Urdd is leading by example and ensuring gender equality on all levels, proving that this year’s Peace Message is more than a hashtag. Gender equality and girls’ and women’s rights are all important to a future that delivers for everyone.
“We are very grateful to Academi Hywel Teifi, Swansea University for supporting the Message. It has been a privilege to work with the University given its clear commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusivity. The students’ enthusiasm and commitment to the Message and to making a difference is infectious – I am confident the Message will strike a chord across the world, and result in action.”
You can watch the Urdd’s 2021 Annual Peace Message below.
Urdd Gobaith Cymru and Women’s Equality Network Wales have developed an education pack for schools and youth groups in support of this year’s Peace Message you can access this pack here.
