Youth Unites

Original version

BBC Radio 4 LW

BBC Radio 4 FM

Documentaries

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

BBC Radio 4 - Youth Unites

Story of messages sent for a century from the youth of Wales to the youth of the world.

Cerys Matthews celebrates the centenary of the Peace and Goodwill messages sent by the youth of Wales to the youth of the World by the Welsh League of Hope, Urdd Gobaith Cymru.

Singer, songwriter and broadcaster Cerys Matthews returns to her roots to celebrate the success of a unique message of Peace and Goodwill from the Youth of Wales to the Youth of the World. The message and the organisation now responsible, Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Welsh League of Hope), both celebrate their centenary this year. 

The message was the brainchild of a Baptist Preacher who believed that communication between the children of nations was the best way of promoting world peace. The first message was sent via Morse Code from the UK in 1922, kindly reproduced for the programme by Duncan Fisken. A new message has been shared every year since, written by Urdd members about issues that concern them, and translated into as many languages as possible. Replies have been received from all over the world in letters and post cards. Last year, the message was sent in 65 languages to 59 countries and had 84 million responses on social media. 

Cerys looks back at the history, discovering how the messages have affected the young people composing them. She demonstrates how the Urdd, a gender equal organisation from day one, expanded from Camps and Eisteddfods to a humanitarian organisation offering aid and safe havens for refugees. Cerys talks to Urdd members old and new, a recent Afghan refugee, Urdd staff and authors of messages over the years. 

This year, the message is being presented to the World from Nobel Peace Centre Oslo, the first time outside the UK.


A Telesgop Cyf production for BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Youth Unites

Genres

Formats

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4