Young leaders from Wales are in Strasbourg this weekend as part of a new programme through the British Council.
Jenny McConnel and Mariyah Zaman from the Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, along with Huw Williams, Youth Officer, Urdd Gobaith Cymru, are part of a UK youth delegation at the European Youth Event in Strasbourg this weekend, where they will discuss EU relations and Europe’s future.
They are there through the British Council’s new EU/UK Stronger Together programme, which offers young people aged 15–30 from Wales and across Europe opportunities to connect, cooperate, influence and implement change together on topics of common interest.
The programme aims to facilitate close and sustainable relationships between young people in the UK and the EU for Europe’s collective benefit, working with young people across school and youth organisations and with young activists and journalists.
Secondary schools from across Wales will be able to partner with schools across Europe on social action projects; and young journalists and activists will be invited to join workshops, training opportunities and networking events.
Speaking about the initiative, Huw, who is from Denbighshire, North Wales, said: “I think it’s important for young people from the UK to collaborate with young people from across Europe as it’s a great opportunity to create new friends and connections, but also to get to know about each other’s cultures and traditions. Here in Wales, we take big pride in our culture and history, and i think it’s important that we take that, and send it out to the young people across Europe. Vice versa, there are many countries that have their interesting cultures, and some even connected to us in Wales.
“On my trip to Strasbourg, I’m looking forward to the variety of people and organisations I’ll meet and getting to learn about how they do things. I’m hoping to learn as much as I can and return home with brand new ideas, and more connections to collaborate with in future.”
The Stronger Together programme is delivered by the British Council in co-operation with the European Movement International and co-funded by the European Union.
Speaking about the launch of the programme, Ruth Cocks, British Council Wales, Director said: “We are thrilled to have young people from Wales as part of our new Stronger Together programme. Through this two-year initiative, we are providing opportunities for connection, cooperation, and collaboration, empowering the next generation to influence and implement positive change together. This initiative provides invaluable opportunities for young people in Wales and across Europe, and together, we can create a stronger and more inclusive future for all. We wish Huw and Jenny the best of luck this weekend.”
Young people from Wales can get involved in various ways including:
- School programmes: Schools from across the UK and the EU will come together to highlight the role of young people aged 15–18 as changemakers, active global citizens and leaders at a local, national and European level. Schools will have the opportunity to work together on social action campaign projects, as well as through online events, workshops and competitions to facilitate partnership building.
- Youth organisations: Youth leaders and representatives of youth organisations aged 18–30 will come together from across the UK and EU. This will include through focus groups, youth policy and networking events and the creation of a network of youth organisations.
- Young activists: Young activists aged 18–30 from across the UK and EU will work together through community workshops, joint events and training so as to promote shared fundamental values and give prominence to the role of youth in bringing about positive change, social cohesion and peace.
- Young journalists: Young journalists from across the UK and Europe will be provided with training opportunities and networking opportunities. This will include workshops in summer 2023, travel grants to major youth events, and a competition for young journalists and content creators.
Find out more and register you interest in being part of the EU/UK Stronger Together programme by visiting: https://www.britishcouncil.be/programmes/education/stronger-together
The EU/UK Stronger Together programme continues the British Council’s work, building connection, understanding and trust between people in the UK and overseas through arts, education and English language teaching. To find out more about their work in Wales visit https://wales.britishcouncil.org/en or follow on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.