The Big Conversation - The 25/26 Zine

the

BIG conversation The 25/26 Zine

Unpacking the Young Wales Big Conversation and Summit findings

Croeso, Welcome!

the

BIG conversation The 25/26 Zine

Exploring the Big Conversation p.1 to 6 The Young Wales Summit p.7 to 8 Workshops and Marketplace p.9 to 10 Engaging with Decision Makers p.11 to 12 The Big Conversation Artwork and Workshop p.13 to 16 Unpacking the Young Wales Big Conversation and Summit findings

Let’s start at the beginning...

What’s The Big Conversation?

The Big Conversation is a Young Wales project, providing young people across Wales with an opportunity to share their opinions and experiences, reflective of Article 12 of the UNCRC “I have the right to be listened to and taken seriously”

Why did we do it?

Last year, we wanted to find out how key ministerial topics impacted young people. This year, we wanted to find out their lived experience of Children’s Rights. We provide this opportunity for young people, so that we can feedback their views to the Welsh Government and Decision Makers, to impact future policy and changes for young people.

Who did we listen to?

Between August and October 2025, the Young Wales team met with children and young people across Wales.

They delivered sessions at the Wrexham National Eisteddfod, the Young Wales Residential, Youth Clubs across Wales, Platfform, Dynamics Wrexham and Voice for Care events.

KEY THEMES We met with 279 children and young people across Wales, aiming to connect UNCRC articles with their lived experiences and challenges.

Care

Education

Decisions are being made for young people in care, but not always with them, “I am not always listened to and that drives me mad!”

School rules are restricting young people’s wellbeing, “My school won’t let me go to the toilet.”

Privacy

Disability

Young people feel like their boundaries are not being respected by adults, “I don’t have the right to privacy”

Disabled young people feel that their needs are not being understood or met, “People with disabilities should have special protections”

Exploring Barriers Whether in school, in care, or when seeking support, young people describe feeling unheard, restricted, or treated differently, resulting in a gap between what their rights promise and what they’re able to access.

“LGBTQ+ young people can find it harder to be listened to.

When they are not included it can make them sad.”

“Parking, disability, funding, services, roads, lack of awareness– it’s all an issue and creates a barrier for me.”

“It can sometimes be harder for young people that are carers to be heard and listened to.”

“Not everyone’s identities are value, some people are treated unfairly because of their identities.”

The Big Conversation (Behind the Scenes)

Young People’s Call to Action Listen to us, our voices matter Respect our individuality and privacy Empower us to understand our rights Act! Turn policies into real experiences

“WHAT’S THE POINT IN HAVING RIGHTS,

IF THEY ARE NOT RESPECTED?”

The Young Wales Summit

Let’s unpack it!

What is the Young Wales Summit?

Marking World Children’s Day, theYoung Wales Summit was an event to celebrate youth voice and children’s rights an opportunity for young people from across Wales to shape discussions, challenge ideas, and showcase their creativity.

What did we offer?

The Summit was packed full of opportunities for young people to exercise Article 12 of the UNCRC. Activities included Breakfast with the Cabinet Secretary, Question Time with Rocio Cifuentes, and art, music, film and democracy workshops.

How did we platform Young People’s voices?

Our Young Wales volunteers had the opportunity to shape the Summit at their Residential in Autumn. They worked together to plan an itinerary which gave young people the opportunity to meet with Welsh Government decision makers, and engage in creative workshops to share their views.

Let’s take a look at our Workshops...

The Democracy Workshop An interactive session diving into how decisions are made in Wales, how young people can get involved, and why their voices are so important in shaping change.

Listen Up! Workshop Led by two Young Wales volunteers, we explored how young people experience the online world, covering the pros and cons of social media, online engagement, and its impact on their lives.

The World Café The World Café session was interactive and engaging, sparking meaningful conversations led by young people for young people.

New Era Talent Young people tried out Boost, a DJ skills session, explored street art in the She Paints the Streets graffiti workshop, and crafted their own bars in a rap lyric-writing workshop with Missy G.

Exploring the Young Wales Marketplace A SPACE TO ENGAGE WITH YOUTH ORGANISATIONS, TAKE PART IN FUN ACTIVITIES AND LEARN MORE ABOUT PARTICIPATION IN WALES.

Engaging with Decision Makers There were two major opportunities for engagement with Decision Makers during the Young Wales Summit.

Young Wales Volunteers kicked off the Summit with ‘Breakfast with the Cabinet Secretary’, where they were joined with previous Welsh First Minister, Mark Drakeford.

Our Young Wales volunteer Elizabeth led ‘Question Time with Rocio Cifuentes’, allowing an opportunity for children and young people to pose key questions for the Children’s Commissioner of Wales.

“MY VOICE,

MY CHOICE”

The Big Conversation

Artwork

Ophelia Dos Santos is a Welsh textile designer and researcher who advocates for climate justice and sustainability in fashion.

Her work explores themes of heritage, identity and culture, utilising patchwork and hand embroidery techniques on scrap fabrics.

OPHELIA

YOUNG WALES VOLUNTEERS CREATING THEIR EMBROIDERED PATCHES

Ophelia joined us to deliver The Big Conversation Art Workshop, an opportunity for Young Wales volunteers to contribute to her artwork inspired by the findings of The Big Conversation.

The Big Conversation Art Workshop What did you create?

Young Wales Volunteers’ Creations Using hand embroidery techniques

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BIG conversation The 25/26 Zine

An incredible celebration of youth voice, creativity, and action.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along, got involved, asked questions, and spoke up about what matters to you.

@children_in_wales