Senedd Cymru | Welsh Parliament
Pwyllgor Diwylliant, Cyfathrebu, y Gymraeg, Chwaraeon, a Chysylltiadau Rhyngwladol| Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport, and International Relations Committee
Strategaeth Ryngwladol Llywodraeth Cymru | Welsh Government's International Strategy
Ymateb gan: Global Health Partnerships Cymru | Evidence from: Global Health Partnerships Cymru
1. What is your relationship, if any, to the International Strategy?
I question the commitment of Welsh Government to international work. I have been working in the development sector for 2.5 years and the strategy has seldom been talked about. Indeed the consultation has had little promotion or communication. We have been a charity around since 2008 focused on Wales and Africa programmes. Reading the international strategy, appreciating that it was written over five years ago, whilst I commend some of the activity, it seems very inward-facing.
2. What are your views on the Welsh Government’s International Strategy – what’s worked well and any areas for improvement?
I have seen little detail in the current strategy explaining how it was developed. I would hope this time or next time that would be more explicit. Those in the international space would certainly know about good areas of practice (e.g. Size of Wales and Fair Trade Wales). Areas for improvement for me would be a co-designed and co-produced strategy involving many agencies and partners providing feedback and input.
3. What are your views on the Welsh Government’s priority international relationships for 2022-25?
Difficult to answer, I have seen little discussion on this in the few years I have been in the space.
4. What are your views on the availability of information on the Welsh Government’s international activities and delivery of the strategy?
This appears to be very limited. Since 2022, we have a standing agenda item about Welsh Government and the International Health Activity. To our knowledge this group has not met for over two years, and on every occasion of asking through various routes, we have been told that Welsh Government do not have a person to lead on this/ with responsibility. The NHS international group led by Public Health Wales does meet regularly. Trying to get others on board with international development work is very challenging. I note that in the current international strategy it claims every Health Board in Wales has an international/partner in Africa, as we are formerly the Wales and Africa Health Links Network, now Global Health Partnerships Cymru, I can confirm that now only two-three Health Boards in Wales have active partners overseas. There needs to be far more engagement, promotion and communication if Welsh Government are serious about international strategy going forwards.
5. In your view, what information on the Welsh Government’s international activities should be in the public domain?
Information needs to be publicly available, with more celebratory and informative events on local and national news, pointing people to where they'd find more information.
6. What are your views on how the Welsh Government’s international activity is resourced?
There seems to be very limited funding to support international work from Welsh Government.
7. What priorities and priority relationships would you like to see included in the Welsh Government’s approach to international relations beyond 2025?
Priorities need to be discussed and agreed with stakeholders in the international development space. A focus on global health coverage that supports capacity building would be one aim that aligns with the values and mission of Global Health Partnerships Cymru.
8. Are there any other matters you would like to draw to the Committee’s attention regarding the Welsh Government’s international relations?
The timeline for this consultation has not been widely promoted. Our charity is even mentioned in the last international strategy, yet we knew nothing about this one.