The Economic Value of Welsh amongst one of the main topics to be discussed in the Mentrau Iaith’s Annual Conference.
Our Annual Conference for Principle Officers and Chairs of the 23 Menter Iaith (Language Initiatives) will be held on the 17th and 18th of November in Canolfan Soar, Merthyr Tudful.
Canolfan Soar, which contributes around 1.3m to the economy of South East Wales every year, according to the findings of a recent report, is a focal point for Community and Welsh medium activities in Merthyr Tudful, and we are very excited to hear more about some of Menter Iaith Merthyr and Canolfan Soar’s innovative projects such as the POSSIB project that uses the arts to combat poverty, increase confidence and create communitites where the Welsh language can and will thrive.
We will also be discussing how best to evolve the work of the Mentrau Iaith for the future and discussing recent developents, including Bangor University’s ‘Using Welsh in the Community’ report and the Welsh Government’s new volunteering policy: Supporting Communitites: Changing Lives.
We are also looking forward to welcoming Lles Cyf, who will be emphasising the economic value of the Welsh language to businesses across Wales and their exciting plans to work alongside more businesses in the futrue in embracing the advantages of Bilingualism.
Iwan Hywel, Mentrau Iaith Cymru’s Training Officer said:
“The conference will be a great opportunity to bring together experience and new ideas to evolve the work of the Mentrau Iaith in the future.
We are very much looking forward to visiting Canolfan Soar, an inspirational initiative in Merthyr, that has kickstarted so many community engagement activitites in the area, and by doing so has created new opportunitites for people to use Welsh.”
Although this is a private conference, discussions will be commented live on our Twitter stream, @mentrauiaith or by following the #mentrau15 hashtag.