An event for young Black, Asian and minority ethnic Welsh speakers was held at the Senedd on Monday 20 March organised by the Coleg Cymraeg and Cardiff and Vale College
Learners aged between 16 and 19 had the opportunity to hear about the Welsh Government's plans to build an anti-racist nation and to hear the experiences and views from some of Wales' familiar faces including journalist Iolo Cheung; rapper, Sage Todz; TV presenter Melanie Owen; postgraduate student and anti-racism campaigner Emily Pemberton and Nooh Omar Ibrahim who works as a Diversity and Inclusion Development Officer with Urdd Gobaith Cymru.
Nooh who was on the panel said,
"I'm from Somalia and grew up in Butetown in Cardiff. I want to show that the Welsh language matters to us all, whatever your background. Since starting to learn Welsh I have realised the language ties us all together."
Well-known TV and radio presenter Jason Mohammad presented the event and learners in the audience had the opportunity to ask questions and share their personal experiences.
Jason told the learners,
"Being in the Senedd today is so important. It's all very well to say that your chances of getting a job or accessing a special course will improve if you speak Welsh, but to be honest we need more role models in public life who reflect diversity to give every young person in every community in Wales an equal chance of being successful."
As part of the event, the Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol Mentoring Programme was launched, a new project to offer support to young learners aged 16 to 19 from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background from a mentor. To hear more about the project the Coleg can be contacted by email: gwybodaeth@colegcymraeg.ac.uk
The event was sponsored by the Member of the Senedd for Cardiff East and Penarth, Vaughan Gething, who is also Minister for the Economy.
He said
“The Welsh language really does belong to all of us, whether you’re a fluent siaradwr like Jason Mohammad or a dysgwr like myself. The language and its culture is part of the story of Wales, as indeed are we. It’s important to rediscover more about our past and what we can do for our shared future and to recognise that we have always belonged here and we will do so in the future.”
The Minister for Education and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles was also in attendance.