This document provides a translation of correspondence received from Urdd Gobaith Cymru

Dear Delyth and Heledd, and the Committee clerk,

Thank you for the opportunity for the Urdd to give evidence to the committee this afternoon.

Following one of Heledd’s questions regarding the international aspect, and due to a lack of time towards the end of the evidence session, I would like to expand on Llio’s initial response.

The Urdd has a wide-ranging programme of international provision that is led by the Urdd’s international department, which is an important partner to the Welsh Government’s own international department on a number of international programmes. Mali Thomas, our director of international affairs and communication, has already submitted evidence to the committee on this work.

We are very proud of the co-operation between the Welsh Government’s international department and Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

Our international programme of work is connected to the Urdd Eisteddfod and all of the Urdd’s community work. There is a strong cultural dimension to this work, which provides an excellent opportunity for young people to represent Wales and to be ambassadors on our behalf; they are the voice of Wales’s young people, and they celebrate the Welsh language and culture as well as embodying our nation’s values.

Listed below are but a few examples of recent and current projects:-

• Previous winners at the Urdd Eisteddfod travelling to Japan and America to perform, represent Wales’s culture and gain experience of performing on the international stage.
• Urdd choirs (including winners of the Urdd Eisteddfod; aelwyd choirs, such as Aelwyd Hafodwenog and so on) performing as part of the Welsh Government’s celebrations at the Football World Cup in Doha, Qatar, and the Rugby World Cup in France. They represent the modern, young and inclusive Wales.  
• The 2025 Women’s Euros in Switzerland, during which a series of events and projects will be held here in Wales and in Switzerland, with cultural ambassadors travelling to Switzerland. 
• The Lorient Festival in France, where young performers were given an opportunity to perform on the international stage to celebrate and share Wales’s traditions. This tour involved a range of young performers from all parts of Wales, including pupils from Fitzalan High School.  

I would be more than happy to expand further on this aspect of our work and how the Urdd Eisteddfod gives children and young people an opportunity to celebrate and share the Welsh language and Wales’s culture on the world stage. 

Catrin