Written by Meg Hicks – Jones
The Erasmus residential experience was a great opportunity to create a lasting relationship between the different youth councils of different areas of Wales. It was an enjoyable experience because it gave more freedom to the youth of our country to unite and discuss the issues facing the environment and how we influence it. As well as this, it had many non-work related aspects such as a chance to go to the cinema and to socialize.
We hope to use Erasmus as a brand and use it as a way to complete changes in our local communities to improve the environment under one name. The first day was used to have an open discussion to decide on a few main contributors to climate change that we all agreed were a top priority. We then split into groups to discuss each topic in depth, asking the youth councils taking part what their local issues were as well as how we could tackle the problem. I enjoyed this because I got to explore a specific solution in depth along-side individuals of varying ages from different local authorities and learn new things about my subject (which was low carbon housing). On Saturday, we split into mixed teams and were all given a solution to climate change and were set the task of creating a presentation to persuade a panel of judges (experts) as to why our topic should be chosen as a top priority. This allowed us as a youth council to get to know other youth council members in a productive environment.
On the final day, we were given a session on Flatholm Island; Within our Local Authority groups, we were set the task of creating a presentation to showcase what we think Flatholm Island should install on / change about the island. This was a highlight of my time at the residential because we had freedom to present this in any way we liked, so we decided to act out our idea. I had a great time, I never felt bored or unable to voice myself and discuss topics with others, and always had something to put my mind to.
Preswyl Erasmus+
Ysgrifennydd gan Meg Hicks-Jones
Roedd profiad preswyl Erasmus yn gyfle gwych i greu perthynas barhaol rhwng gwahanol gynghorau ieuenctid gwahanol ardaloedd o Gymru.
Yr oedd yn brofiad pleserus gan ei fod yn rhoi mwy o ryddid i ieuenctid ein gwlad uno a thrafod y materion sy’n wynebu’r amgylchedd a sut yr ydym yn dylanwadu arno. Yn ogystal â hyn, roedd ganddo lawer o agweddau nad oeddent yn ymwneud â gwaith megis cyfle i fynd i’r sinema a chymdeithasu.
Rydym yn gobeithio defnyddio Erasmus fel brand a’i ddefnyddio fel ffordd o gwblhau newidiadau yn ein cymunedau lleol i wella’r amgylchedd dan un enw.
Defnyddiwyd y diwrnod cyntaf i gael trafodaeth agored i benderfynu ar rai prif gyfranwyr i newid yn yr hinsawdd yr oeddem oll yn cytuno ei fod yn brif flaenoriaeth. Yna fe wnaethom rannu’n grwpiau i drafod pob pwnc yn fanwl, gan ofyn i’r cynghorau ieuenctid gymryd rhan beth oedd eu materion lleol yn ogystal â sut y gallem fynd i’r afael â’r broblem. Fe wnes i fwynhau hyn oherwydd roedd yn rhaid i mi archwilio datrysiad penodol yn fanwl ar y cyd ag unigolion o oedrannau amrywiol o wahanol awdurdodau lleol a dysgu pethau newydd am fy mhwnc (sef tai carbon isel).
Ddydd Sadwrn, gwnaethom rannu’n dimau cymysg a rhoddwyd ateb i newid yn yr hinsawdd i bob un ohonom a’n tasg oedd creu cyflwyniad i berswadio panel o feirniaid (arbenigwyr) i nodi pam y dylai ein pwnc gael ei ddewis fel prif flaenoriaeth. Galluogodd hyn ni fel cyngor ieuenctid i ddod i adnabod aelodau eraill y cyngor ieuenctid mewn amgylchedd cynhyrchiol.
Ar y diwrnod olaf, rhoddwyd sesiwn i ni ar Ynys Echni; O fewn ein grwpiau awdurdodau lleol, gosodwyd y dasg o greu cyflwyniad i arddangos yr hyn y credwn y dylai Ynys Echni ei osod/newid am yr Ynys. Roedd hyn yn uchafbwynt o’m hamser yn y preswyl gan fod gennym ryddid i gyflwyno hyn mewn unrhyw ffordd yr oeddem yn ei hoffi, felly penderfynasom roi ein syniad ar waith. Cefais amser gwych, nid oeddwn erioed wedi diflasu neu’n methu â lleisio fy hun a thrafod pynciau gydag eraill, ac roedd gennyf bob amser rywbeth i’w ystyried.