Black History Cymru 365 will build momentum towards a Wales free from discrimination and inequality
Cynyddu’r momentwm tuag at Gymru sy’n rhydd rhag camwahaniaethu ac anghydraddoldeb drwy Hanes Pobl Dduon Cymru 365
Today, as the Welsh Government steps up momentum in the drive towards a Wales free from discrimination and inequality, the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, asked the people of Wales to listen and learn from the history and heritage of multicultural societies in Wales.
The current Black Lives Matter movement has highlighted the need for people to be educated and have an awareness of Black History.
To coincide with the launch of Black History Cymru 365, which expands Black History Month to Black History Year for 2020-21, Jane Hutt announced Welsh Government funding of £40,000 to support Race Council Cymru to educate people and promote awareness of Black History in Wales.
Jane Hutt said:
“I’m delighted to announce that Welsh Government will be helping to fund Race Council Cymru to boost awareness through a whole year of arts and educational activities for Black History Cymru 365.
“Expanding Black History Month to Black History Year for 2020-21 is a very positive step. Here in Wales, our rich history is built on difference and diversity. Black History Cymru 365 will help to share the experience and heritage of our multicultural societies, and celebrate the contributions made in Wales by Black communities.
“The First Minister’s BAME Covid-19 Health Advisory Socio-economic Sub-group report showed us that Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) people in Wales have historically suffered entrenched inequalities.
“Last week, the Welsh Government issued our response to the Socio-economic Sub-group report, in which we pledged to bring about systemic and sustainable change to society. Working with BAME leaders and authorities, I will lead on developing the Race Equality Action Plan before the end of this Senedd term, to take action and promote real change which benefits everyone.”
Education Minister, Kirsty Williams, also announced today the publication of Terms of Reference for the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the New Curriculum Working Group.
The group is reviewing learning resources currently available to support the teaching of themes relating to BAME communities, their contributions and experiences and will advise on the commission of new learning resources. The group will also review and report on professional development to support teaching in these areas of learning.
Kirsty Williams said:
“The Group is well placed to take full account of the histories, contributions and experiences of BAME communities in their work, and to deliver recommendations which will result in both the commission of robust and meaningful learning resources and constructive support for teaching practitioners to increase their skills in this very important area of learning.”
Notes to editors
The Black History Management Committee has been undertaking the work of educating and promoting awareness of Black History in Wales over many years. Through Welsh Government support, Race Council Cymru will support this work from September 2020 to September 2021.
Led by the Black History Management Committee and delivered in partnership with Race Council Cymru, BAME organisations and grassroots communities across Wales, Black History Cymru 365 will celebrate the diversity of Black communities in Wales through a full year of creative activities and programmes.
People of African and Caribbean descent originate from around 2000 ethnic groups, with a range of over 2000 languages and multiple cultural traditions. Under the title ‘2000 Nations – Celebrating Diversity – Black History Wales’, events will explore the educational achievements and innovative contributions of Wales’s Black communities, and celebrate and share this rich cultural heritage.
The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnicities (BAME) Communities, Contributions and Cynefin in the new curriculum working group’s membership was confirmed today by Education Minister Kirsty Williams as she set out the group’s objectives and key milestones for delivery.
The group will review the learning resources currently available to support the teaching of themes relating to BAME communities, their contributions and experiences; advise on the commission of new learning resources; and reviewing and report on professional development to support teaching in these areas of learning.
The group will report on their initial findings, including recommendations for new resources for the forthcoming academic year by mid-autumn, with a final report presented in spring 2021.