The National Assembly for Wales are proud sponsors of the Societies Pavilion at the 2019 National Eisteddfod.
Throughout the week, people will be able to visit our stand in the Societies Pavilion to learn about the different ways they can get involved in the National Assembly’s work.
We’re working with partners to deliver five sessions in the Societies Pavilions with themes include the teaching of Welsh history, marking 20 years of Devolution, Wales’ fiscal powers, women and devolution and combating the problems posed by single use of plastics.
Monday 5 August 11:30 – Societies 2
Understanding our history – Teaching Welsh history and culture.
Partner: Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee
How can we ensure children in Wales have a sense of the history of their community and country? This panel discussion will explore whether the Welsh Government’s new curriculum will deliver the outcomes needed to achieve this aim.
Chaired by Delyth Jewell AM, Assembly Member for South Wales East and Member of the Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee, the panel will include:
- Professor Huw Pryce, School of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences, Bangor University;
- Elin Tomos, Merched Chwarel Historian;
- Ifan Jones, Welsh Youth Parliament Member, Ynys Môn;
- Ifan Price, Welsh Youth Parliament Member, Dwyfor Meirionydd; and
- Leona Huey, PhD Bangor University.
Tuesday 06 August 11:00 - Societies 1
Wales’s fiscal future- closing the fiscal gap?
Partner: Wales Governance Centre
Guto Ifan and Cian Sion, Wales fiscal analysis team from Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre will present the latest analysis of total Government expenditure and revenue in Wales.
The presentation and discussion will explore how austerity has affected UK, Welsh and local government spending; the effect of devolving taxes; and the outlook for public spending over coming years.
They will discuss what the latest figures and outlook reveal about economic performance in Wales and the UK, and will be asking how the fiscal gap between spending and revenue may be closed.
Wednesday 07 August 11:30 - Societies 2
Wales and devolution: looking back and looking forward
Partner: Department of International Politics, Aberystwyth University
Twenty years after the establishment of the National Assembly, this panel session will review developments in Welsh politics during this period of political devolution. Have we seen the creation of more inclusive and participatory politics? What important changes have taken place within the political parties? How has civil society responded to devolution? What is the verdict on public policy under the Welsh Government? And what does the future hold as the Brexit process continues its slow progress?
The panel are former students of the Department of International Politics at Aberystwyth University:
- Sara Gibson, BBC Cymru (Chair)
- Haf Elgar, Friends of the Earth Wales
- Dafydd Trystan, Coleg Cymraeg Cenedlaethol
- Owain Clarke, BBC Cymru
- Dr Elin Royles, Aberystwyth University
Thursday 8 August 11:00 - Societies 1
Women and devolution in Wales
Partner: Women’s Archive Wales
The National Assembly for Wales was the first legislature in the world to have equal numbers of women and men representing the public. But, what role did women play in the campaign to establish devolution and the Senedd?
As we mark twenty years of devolution in Wales, Elliw Gwawr (BBC Wales Political Journalist) will chair a unique conversation with Elin Jones AM, Llywydd of the National Assembly for Wales, Catrin Stevens (Chair, Women's Archive Wales), and Sian Powell (Chief Executive, Golwg), on the influence of women on the journey of devolution and its future.
Friday 9 August 11:30 - Societies 2
Welsh Youth Parliament – What to do with our waste?
Partner: Welsh Youth Parliament
As part of their research into littering and plastic waste, the Welsh Youth Parliament invite the public to join their discussion on how the problems caused by single use plastics can be overcome by individuals, communities and Wales as a nation. This is an open discussion for those on the Maes to contribute and raise questions on the work of the Welsh Youth Parliament.
Chaired by Talulah Thomas, Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Clwyd South, panellists will include:
- Brengain Glyn Williams, Welsh Youth Parliament Member for Arfon, and Member of the Littering and Plastic Waste Committee;
- Llyr Gruffydd AM, North Wales Regional Assembly Member, and Member of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee; and
- Dr Einir Young, Director of Sustainability, Bangor University.
- Jerry Hunter, Bangor University Pro-Vice Chancellor.