Mudiad Meithrin’s vision is that every child in Wales should have the opportunity to play, learn and grow through the Welsh language. Wherever there are young children in Wales, Mudiad Meithrin, and therefore the Welsh language, should also be present.
In 2019, Mudiad Meithrin published an Equality and Diversity Strategy for the first time in its history. On Thursday, August 10th at 3.30pm we will be launching and releasing the Evaluation of this Strategy on Mudiad Meithrin’s stand at the National Eisteddfod in Boduan.
Mudiad Meithrin welcomes responses to the evaluation and ideas on the way forward in strengthening the work of ensuring equity, diversity and inclusion across our services.
The aim of the Equality and Diversity Strategy is to:
- Ensure that everyone who is a part of the Mudiad’s community is treated fairly and equitably, based on the characteristics of the Equality Act 2010.
- Address direct and indirect discrimination by proactively challenging prejudice in all its forms as well as fostering a culture that challenges prejudice
- Rooting equality and diversity as core principles of every aspect of Mudiad Meithrin’s work
Dr Gwenllian Lansdown Davies, Mudiad Meithrin’s Chief Executive, said:
“This document casts a critical eye over the Mudiad’s achievements since 2019 in the context of its equality, inclusion and diversity work. Our aim is to look back over the previous strategy in order to be able to look to the future. This is important, as we cannot claim that our main aim –giving Welsh-medium care and education to every child in Wales – is valid unless we succeed in doing exactly that.”
Rocío Cifuentes, Children’s Commissioner for Wales, welcomes the evaluation of the strategy. Rocío said:
“I welcome the publication of Mudiad Meithrin’s evaluation of their Equality and Diversity Strategy 2019-2022. The evaluation sets out in a clear and transparent way what has been achieved during the period and what still requires more work. It also shows Mudiad Meithrin’s clear commitment and contribution to achieving a more equal and an anti-racist Wales, which is crucial if all children in Wales are to experience their rights as a reality.”
The event will also be an opportunity to learn more about some of the projects and developments that have resulted due to the publication of the strategy, e.g. the appointment of a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Lead Officer; commitment to a zero tolerance approach towards racism; the creation of resources that reflect the diversity of race, culture, religion and physical differences.
One of the projects recently completed is the creation of the Our Wales (Cymru Ni) resource. Our Wales is a bilingual digital resource celebrating the history of Black Welsh people, tailored especially for young children. This series includes the history of individuals such as Colin Jackson and Betty Campbell and during the launch we will celebrate two new stories – one from the present and one from the past – namely Maggie Ogunbanwo, a chef and business woman from Pen-y-Groes, Dyffryn Nantlle, Gwynedd and the historical figure John Ystumllyn from Criccieth.
Natalie Jones – the author of John Ystumllyn’s story – will be present at the launch. Natalie was also one of the successful applicants on our AwDUra course – a scheme to encourage Welsh voices from among Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to write stories for young children in Wales.
Natalie Jones said:
“It has been a privilege to write this story for Mudiad Meithrin. It’s important that children know stories of our history in Wales. They need to see themselves and learn the truth about what shaped our society. Sometimes, history is painful and difficult to hear, and therefore we need to balance harsh truths with stories that empower every one of our children in Wales. It’s important to me to write content that helps young people to develop positive feelings of identity.”
Menna Machreth, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Lead Officer for Mudiad Meithrin, said:
“It is good to be able to celebrate all that has been achieved, acknowledging at the same time that the work must continue and develop further. As a result of the initiatives, projects and procedures put in place, this important work has taken root and these roots are spreading across Mudiad Meithrin, into nursery settings and to our various partners.”
