Blaenau Gwent supports 2022 Welsh language rights day

On Welsh Language Rights Day, Blaenau Gwent Council together with the Welsh Language Commissioner are encouraging the young people of Wales to ensure that they are aware of their rights and to remember to use the Welsh language in their daily lives.

This annual event is held on the date the Welsh Language Measure came into force over a decade ago.

Young people are the focus of this year’s campaign and that is entirely appropriate according to the Deputy Commissioner for the Welsh Language, Gwenith Price,

“It can be perceived as a cliché but our young people are our future and we need to ensure that they play a leading role in protecting and using the language in their everyday lives.

“In my latest assurance report it was noted that many feel that the opportunities to use the Welsh language consistently have increased but that organisations need to improve the way they facilitate and guarantee Welsh language services.

“In the same way we need to use and demand our rights and it’s great to see our young people leading the way. This day allows us to not only highlight the rights, but to highlight the need to use them throughout the year.”

“As a university student I have seen a positive change in the way the University deals with the Welsh language and we now need to build on that platform for the future.4

Another star of the campaign is Elen Madrun Llewelyn-Evans, a 17-year-old student at Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig, Aberystwyth,

“It is good to know that young people’s voices are being heard and that they are listened to, as we are concerned about the future in so many different areas. After all, our future is what is under discussion.

“It was great to be a part of making this film and I hope it will have the necessary impact as we continue to increase the use of Welsh in every aspect of our lives.”

You can support the campaign on social media by following #MaeGenIHawl or go to the Welsh Language Commissioner’s website – welshlanguagecommissioner.wales