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A Worry or an Opportunity? Welsh in the 'New Normal'

People in masks and the Cymraeg logo

One day conference to consider the position of the Welsh language in the wake of Covid19

One Day Conference: 10 March 2021

A conference was held by Swansea University to consider the position of the Welsh language in the wake of COVID-19 in the company of the Welsh Language Commissioner, Aled Roberts. The aim of the conference was to look at the impact of the pandemic across various aspects of life and work in the context of the Welsh language, including education, technology, community work and workplaces.

The aim was to identify patterns, solutions or good practices that can contribute to supporting Welsh speakers during this challenging time, but also take steps to protect the language in the long term as the pandemic progresses and its effects continue.

You can watch recordings of each of the papers below and download the Conference Report here - 'Turning Worry into Hope'.

Conference Report

Download 'Turning Worry into Hope'

Image of the report cover

A Worry or Opportunity: Panel 1

Educational Challenges and Opportunities

Welcome, Dr Gwenno Ffrancon, Academi Hywel Teifi
Panel 1: Educational Challenges and Opportunities (Chair: Dr Alex Lovell)

  • Welsh and the Early Years during COVID-19, Dr Gwenllian Lansdown-Davies, Mudiad Meithrin
  • Facing the Challenge for Welsh-medium Pupils during Lockdown, Elin Maher, RHAG
  • The Impact of the Pandemic on Learning Welsh, Helen Prosser a Dona Lewis, National Center for Learning Welsh

 

A Worry or Opportunity: Panel 2

Community Challenges and Opportunities

Panel 2: Community Challenges and Opportunities (Chair: Prof. Daniel G. Williams)

  • The Impact of COVID-19 on Welsh-medium community groups: the findings of the Welsh Government survey (December 2020), Lisa Walters, Welsh Language Division, Welsh Government
  • Creating opportunities for people to use Welsh, Lowri Jones, Mentrau Iaith Cymru

 

A Worry or Opportunity: The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Welsh Language

The Impact of the COVID-19 Outbreak on the Welsh Language

Discussion on the findings of Senedd Cymru’s Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee report with Helen Mary Jones MS, Chair of the Committee.

Chair: Sioned Williams

A Worry or Opportunity: Second Homes and COVID-19

Second Homes and COVID-19

Second Homes and COVID-19, Dr Simon Brooks, Swansea University

Chair: Dr Gwenno Ffrancon

A Worry or Opportunity: The Worry and Hope

COVID-19 The Worry and Hope

COVID-19 The Worry and Hope, Aled Roberts, Welsh Language Commissioner

Chair: Prof. Elwen Evans KC, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Swansea University

A Worry or Opportunity: Panel 3

Challenges and Opportunities for Communities

Panel 3: Challenges and Opportunities for Communities (Chair: Dr Osian Elias)

  • The rush for housing in the context of the COVID-19 challenges for Welsh-speaking communities, Heini Gruffudd, Dyfodol yr Iaith
  • The Shadow of Covid: strategies for restoring the Welsh language in dark times, Tamsin Davies, Cymdeithas yr Iaith

 

A Worry or opportunity: Panel 4

Challenges and Opportunities for Procedures

Panel 4: Challenges and Opportunities for Procedures (Chair: Prof. Gwynedd Parry)

Breaking New Ground: Senedd Cymru’s Response to the Pandemic, Arwyn Jones, Senedd Cymru

Challenges and solutions for remote translation of court cases, Dr Catrin Fflûr Huws, Dr Rhianedd Jewell, Dr Hanna Binks, Aberystwyth University

A Worry or Opportunity: Panel 5

Challenges and Opportunities for Workplaces

Panel 5: Challenges and Opportunities for Workplaces (Chair: Dr Robert Bowen)

  • Regulations, Barriers, Reality: From Theory to the Workplace: The Significance of the Pandemic in the Context of Public Bodies in Wales, Rebecca Lavis, Swansea University
  • The Welsh language and remote working: implementing the ARFer programme in the new normal, Arwel Williams and Dr Lowri Hughes, Bangor University

 

A Worry or Opportunity: Panel 6

Social Challenges and Opportunities

Panel 6: Social Challenges and Opportunities (Chair: Lynsey Thomas)

Prosiect Fory: Viewing Locally. Seeing Far, Euros Lewis, Prosiect Fory

Combined Community Development and the Welsh Language, Sel Williams and Ceri Cunnington, Cwmni Bro Ffestiniog