Young women of Wales raise their voices for Peace
- 17 days ago
Today (Friday 17 May 2024), Wales’ largest youth organisation, Urdd Gobaith Cymru continues the 102-year tradition of sharing an annual Peace and Goodwill Message by the young people of Wales with the world, by releasing ‘Gweithred yw Gobaith – Hope is an Action’ in a striking animated film.
Since 1922, the young people of Wales have thrown a spotlight on themes that are important to them whilst sharing a message of peace with the world. Every May a message has been shared without fail, initially through Morse code, then through the BBC World Service and more recently through digital media. Last year’s anti-racism Peace Message was seen by millions in 50 countries and supported by celebrities and hundreds of schools across Wales and beyond.
2024’s Peace Message honours the legacy of the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition of 1923-1924, signed by 400,000 women across Wales (said to be 7 miles in length). The Message states that “the challenge of our century’s next chapter” is the continuing need to advocate for peace and putting an end to atrocities, wars, and violence.
The young women responsible for creating this year’s Peace Message are Cardiff and Vale ESOL students (English for Speakers of Other Languages) who have found refuge and made Wales their home along with some of the Urdd’s female staff, apprentices, and volunteers.
First Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I am incredibly proud to support the Urdd’s message of peace and goodwill, which is of great significance all over the world. The message is a true reflection of the ambitions of young people in Wales and a call to action for world leaders, with the collective aim to strive for a better future for us all. More than ever, I encourage everyone to engage with the Urdd’s message and help make sure that the voices of our young people are heard around the globe.”
Since 1922, the young people of Wales have thrown a spotlight on themes that are important to them whilst sharing a message of peace with the world. Every May a message has been shared without fail, initially through Morse code, then through the BBC World Service and more recently through digital media. Last year’s anti-racism Peace Message was seen by millions in 50 countries and supported by celebrities and hundreds of schools across Wales and beyond.
2024’s Peace Message honours the legacy of the Welsh Women’s Peace Petition of 1923-1924, signed by 400,000 women across Wales (said to be 7 miles in length). The Message states that “the challenge of our century’s next chapter” is the continuing need to advocate for peace and putting an end to atrocities, wars, and violence.
The young women responsible for creating this year’s Peace Message are Cardiff and Vale ESOL students (English for Speakers of Other Languages) who have found refuge and made Wales their home along with some of the Urdd’s female staff, apprentices, and volunteers.
First Minister Vaughan Gething said: “I am incredibly proud to support the Urdd’s message of peace and goodwill, which is of great significance all over the world. The message is a true reflection of the ambitions of young people in Wales and a call to action for world leaders, with the collective aim to strive for a better future for us all. More than ever, I encourage everyone to engage with the Urdd’s message and help make sure that the voices of our young people are heard around the globe.”