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4 October 2022

Identities: Welshness

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‘Identities: Welshness’ A new series to discuss Wales in all its diversity.

During Black History Month (October 2022), Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol will launch a series of online discussions that tackle national identity from various perspectives such as religion, race, gender, and LGBTQ+ in Wales.

As the Welsh Government launches a new curriculum for primary and secondary schools in Wales that make it compulsory to learn about the history of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, and relationships and sexuality education, the series ‘Identities: Welshness’ will discuss identities in Wales today in all their diversity. It will include open and honest conversations and discussions with individuals from various fields, communities and organisations including the teacher Natalie Jones, Professor Laura McAllister and Joseph Gnagbo, a refugee from the Ivory Coast who is now working as a Welsh teacher.

The first session will be held on Thursday 13 October 2022 at 18:00 in order to commemorate Black History Month. The first contributor will be Natalie Jones, and she will be presenting ‘Mae yn fy DNA’ (It’s in my DNA). Natalie is of Jamaican descent and moved with her family to Pwllheli from Birmingham when she was 9 years old.Natalie is now working as a supply teacher, she is a regular columnist for the magazine Golwg, and she is collaborating with the Welsh Government on the new curriculum. And according to Natalie, the new curriculum will teach the next generation in more detail about Welsh identity: 

“Teaching schoolchildren about the history of Black, Asian and minority ethnic people is key to teaching them that their race, religion and background are as important as each other. As a child growing up in Wales, I felt very lonely because no-one understood why I looked so different. From now on, when children from minority ethnic backgrounds leave school, I really hope that they feel that they belong to society in Wales.

Dr Gareth Evans-Jones, a lecturer in Philosophy and Religion at Bangor University, is organising the series, in cooperation with the Coleg Cymraeg.

Dr Evans was also responsible for the successful conference, Y Ddraig Amryliw (The Multicoloured Dragon), which was held in February this year to coincide with Pride month:

“‘Welshness’ as a concept is multi-layered and multi-faceted,” he said, “and continues to evolve.”  

“The purpose of the ‘Identities: Welshness’ series is to present stimulating conversations about the various aspects of what is meant by ‘Welshness’ historically, currently, and with an eye on the future.”  

Among the other speakers will be the scholar and former international footballer, Professor Laura McAllister, who has also been the Chair of Sport Wales, and on the board of UK Sport, and the Football Association of Wales Trust. As a member of and campaigner for the LGBTQ+ community in Wales, she will be discussing Welsh identity in the world of sport and representation of the LGBTQ+ community in the field. According to Professor McAllister, the Welsh football team has led the way with its modern and inclusive image, and the World Cup is an invaluable opportunity to reflect this to the rest of the world:  

“Welsh football has succeeded in engaging with a variety of cultural communities, while linking people locally, nationally and globally, effectively. We have moved far away from the old-fashioned and patronizing image that many citizens of the world have of our nation. Therefore, the mystery and interest in Wales will be fresh to audiences in Qatar 2022. Our narrative needs to be progressive and based on Wales’s values as a rainbow nation, a good global country with inclusive and welcoming citizens, and a variety of languages and cultures.”   

In addition, there will be a conversation with Joseph Gnagbo, a refugee from West Africa who is now fluent in Welsh, and discussions with members of the Muslim Council of Wales and the Buddhist Council of Wales about inter-faith, and some of the authors of ‘Welsh Plural: Essays on the Future of Wales’ will be discussing the book, which challenges Welsh stereotypes.   

Noam Devey, who was appointed to the new post as Equality, Diversity and Anti-racism Coordinator within Coleg Cymraeg this year, said: “The Coleg is very proud to sponsor this important series. We are taking the Diversity and Anti-racism agenda very seriously and ensuring that matters around all aspects of diverse lives, communities and cultures in Wales are discussed through the medium of Welsh is essential.” 

“Coleg Cymraeg is grateful to Gareth Evans-Jones for arranging the series because it reflects the Coleg’s important work in highlighting the diversity in Wales in terms of communities, race and religion, and ensuring that everyone has the right to take part in such discussions. There is a warm welcome for everyone to attend and to take part in the series.”

Watch the session with Natalie Jones, ‘Mae yn fy DNA’, and read more about her in ‘Getting to know… Natalie Jones’

The sessions are held every month online until March 2023 and are open to the public. More information about all the sessions and the registration details.