Call. Them. Out – The Urdd’s no messing message to the World on anti-racism

Urdd Gobaith Cymru, Wales largest youth organisation are calling on people across the globe to Call Them Out, as the charity’s annual Peace and Goodwill Message declares there is no place for racism in the world.

Today (18 May) the Urdd continues it’s 101-year tradition of sharing an annual Peace and Goodwill Message - created by the young people of Wales - with the world. This year, working with students from Cardiff University, the Urdd’s message throws a spotlight on anti-racism, clearly stating that if it’s seen - to Call. Them. Out.

Created at a workshop in Cardiff earlier this year, the Urdd’s 2023 anti-racism message calls on people across the world to ‘encourage kindness, teach acceptance, and to call-out racist remarks and prejudices’. The message, which is co-written by musician Eädyth and students from Cardiff University, will be presented in a short-film form and will be released on the Urdd’s social media platforms at 7:30am.

In response to this year’s message the Urdd as an organisation is taking action by committing to:

Continuous ‘Race Awareness Training’ for all staff
Commit to ensuring diverse representation on Urdd boards and within its workforce as part of the Urdd i Bawb (Urdd for All) 2023-28 strategic plan.
Urdd staff at Cardiff, Llangrannog, Glan-llyn and Pentre-Ifan residential centres to receive training on how to care for afro hair.
The group responsible for this year’s peace and goodwill message campaign will visit Alabama USA in the Autumn to learn more about civil rights, anti-racism campaigns in the USA, and take part in discussions with young Americans from Birmingham Alabama.

Siân Lewis, the Urdd’s Chief Executive said: “Each year the Urdd gives a voice and platform to the youth of Wales to be heard across the world, and our anti-racism message is a no holds barred message, telling everyone that we must call out racism whenever and wherever we see it.

“As an organisation we recognise that we must take action and responsibility to make sure that racism has no place in the world. The Urdd is for everyone, and as an organisation it’s important that we represent and reflect Wales as a country today. To help us become an organisation that attracts staff and board members from diverse communities we’ve approached No Boundaries to provide training for our 300 staff in Race Awareness.

“The Urdd is the largest Welsh language third sector employer in Wales. With over 100 apprentices, 40,000 young people and children visiting our residential centres and 75,000 members competing at the Urdd Eisteddfod annually, we have a duty to this and the next generation to educate and drive change. We believe that the Urdd can make a significant impact with our anti-racism message, by encouraging everyone, young and old, black or white to Call. Them. Out.”

First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The Urdd’s Peace and Goodwill message continues to play an integral role in projecting Wales’ values around the globe.

“I’m delighted to support this year’s messagewhich calls upon the citizens of the world to take action and call out racism and unconscious prejudices.

“This important message carries the Welsh Government’s vision of becoming an anti-racist nation by 2030 – a place where we can all live and thrive, creating a society where everyone is valued.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Damian Walford Davies of Cardiff University said: “Staff and students at Cardiff University applaud the anti-racism emphasis of the Urdd’s Peace and Goodwill message this year. We lend our voices to amplify the global call to challenge both ourselves and others to become actively anti-racist, knowing that Wales can play its part.”

The Urdd’s Peace and Goodwill Message is unique to Wales. For over a century, on the 18 May the young people of Wales have thrown a spotlight on themes that are important to them whilst sharing a message of peace to the world. The 2022 centenary climate emergency message was translated into over 100 languages, viewed in 82 countries, and reached over 30 million people worldwide, with Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Sheen amongst the many who shared the message.

This year’s message has the support of Race Council Wales and Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales (Eyst), as well as a number of well-known individuals who have already pledged their support for Call. Them. Out.

The Urdd’s anti-racism message is available in a number of languages, including BSL, and can be downloaded here. The Urdd urges people around the globe to assist in amplifying the voices of the youth of Wales on 18 May by sharing the message on social media from @Urdd using #Heddwch2023.