Urdd scoops two top awards for its global 2021 Peace and Goodwill Message

Urdd Gobaith Cymru has scooped two top awards for its “powerful” Peace and Goodwill Message, which went global.

The Welsh language youth organisation won the prizes at the Young Peacemakers Awards 2021, for what has been described as “one of the most powerful messages” in its history.

The message reached a global audience and attracted support from a host of prestigious organisations and world figures, including UN Women and Hillary Clinton.

The message was translated into 65 languages, and the video reached over 84 million people in 59 countries across the world.

The 2021 Peace and Goodwill Message, Equality for Women and Girls, was written by students from Swansea University on behalf of the youth of Wales and released in a video on May 18.

Urdd Gobaith Cymru won the following two awards for this year’s received first prize for the ‘Young Digital Peace Builders of the Year’ and ‘Young Peacemakers of the Year’ at a virtual ceremony that was held today.

‘Honour’ 

Siân Lewis, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru, said, “Receiving these awards is a great honour for the Urdd and the individuals who contributed to our Message of Peace and Goodwill, Women’s Equality.

“The collaboration with Academi Hywel Teifi at Swansea University was extremely meaningful, and thanks to them we created one of the most powerful messages in our history.

“I also thank the Welsh Centre for International Affairs and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod for the recognition of the hard work and for noting the success of sharing the message far across the world to over 59 countries. We now look forward to celebrating our centenary in 2022!”

This year marks the sixth year of the Wales Young Peacemakers Awards, which is jointly organised by the Welsh Centre for International Affairs (WCIA) and the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod.

Young people from all over Wales are celebrated for their positive contributions to peace and global citizenship, and winners receive prizes for artwork, creative writing, and film as well as their positive work as local and global citizens.