Written by Connor Clarke

The CYC Executive was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to meet virtually with the Leader of Cardiff Council, Cllr Huw Thomas, and the Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council and the Cabinet Member for Education, Cllr Sarah Merry. In the meeting, members of the Executive were able to pose questions to them both from areas ranging from the reopening of schools to Black Lives Matter. While the entire meeting was productive, we are very pleased to report positive outcomes as well as constructive discussions.

Firstly, and most importantly, the former CYC Chair, Fahadi, made a powerful and convincing argument to Cllr Thomas and Merry around the importance of Black Lives Matter and the experiences black young people face every day in Cardiff, Wales and the wider world. In an honestly moving speech, Fahadi challenged Cllr Thomas and Merry to support the Youth Council’s three pledges;

1. We pledge to celebrate, promote and increase the prominence of black history month in our community.
2. We pledge to challenge all forms of racism and discrimination towards all groups of people and actively challenge it.
3. We pledge to continue to be a platform where every young people from all backgrounds can have their voices heard without fear of racism or discrimination.

Due to the moving speech and convincing argument, Cllr Thomas and Merry both agreed to support CYC’s work towards meeting the pledges. Further to that, as Chair, I announced my personal support of the pledges as well as CYC’s.

Beyond that, we discussed the re-opening of schools and how we may be able to use this as an opportunity to reform the curriculum to better suit children and young people. Members of the Executive reflected on the silver linings to the cancellation of exams and how we can reduce stress and anxiety over exams in future years. We were lucky enough to be able to host a follow-up webinar session where Cllr Merry and Director of Education Nick Batchelar were able to answer more questions from a wide range of young people (in collaboration with Child Friendly Cardiff).

From all of the CYC Executive and CYC Membership, I want to give a big thank you to Cllr Thomas and Cllr Merry for their time and their attention. I look forward to continuing with such meetings and furthering the goal of a more inclusive, participation-orientated Cardiff.

Cyfarfod Cynghorydd Merry a Thomas

Ysgrifenwyd gan Connor Clarke

Roedd Gweithrediaeth y CIC yn ddigon ffodus i gael y cyfle i gael cyfarfod rhithwir ag arweinydd Cyngor Caerdydd, y Cynghorydd Huw Thomas, a Dirprwy Arweinydd Cyngor Caerdydd a’r Aelod Cabinet dros Addysg, y Cynghorydd Sarah Merry. Yn y cyfarfod, cafodd aelodau o’r Weithrediaeth gyfle i ofyn cwestiynau iddynt ar amryw feysydd o ailagor ysgolion i’r ymgyrch Mae Bywydau Du o Bwys.  Er yr oedd y cyfarfod cyfan yn gynhyrchiol, rydym yn falch iawn o adrodd ar ganlyniadau cadarnhaol yn ogystal â thrafodaethau adeiladol.

Yn gyntaf, ac yn bwysicaf oll, gwnaeth cyn-Gadeirydd CIC, Fahadi, ddadl rymus ac argyhoeddiadol i’r Cynghorydd Thomas a Merry ynghylch pwysigrwydd yr ymgyrch Mae Bywydau Du o Bwys a’r profiadau y mae pobl ifanc du yn eu hwynebu bob dydd yng Nghaerdydd, yng Nghymru ac yn y byd ehangach. Mewn araith hynod onest, heriodd Fahadi y Cynghorydd Thomas a Merry i gefnogi tri addewid y Cyngor Ieuenctid;

1. Rydym yn addo dathlu, hyrwyddo a chynyddu amlygrwydd mis hanes pobl dduon yn ein cymuned.
2. Rydym yn addo herio a mynd i’r afael â phob math o hiliaeth a gwahaniaethu tuag at bob grŵp o bobl.
3. Rydym yn addo parhau i fod yn llwyfan lle y gall pob person ifanc o bob cefndir leisio’u barn heb ofni hiliaeth neu wahaniaethu.

Yn sgil yr araith a’r ddadl argyhoeddiadol, cytunodd y Cynghorydd Thomas a Merry i gefnogi gwaith CIC tuag at fodloni’r addewidion. Yn ogystal â hynny, fel Cadeirydd, cyhoeddais fy nghefnogaeth bersonol i i’r addewidion yn ogystal â chefnogaeth CIC.

Y tu hwnt i hynny, buom yn trafod ail-agor ysgolion a sut y gallem ddefnyddio hyn fel cyfle i ddiwygio’r cwricwlwm i weddu’n well i blant a phobl ifanc. Myfyriodd aelodau’r Weithrediaeth ar y pethau positif yn gysylltiedig â chanslo arholiadau a sut y gallwn leihau straen a phryder ynghylch arholiadau yn y blynyddoedd i ddod. Roeddem yn ddigon lwcus i allu cynnal sesiwn gweminar ddilynol lle’r oedd y Cynghorydd Merry a’r Cyfarwyddwr Addysg Nick Batchelar yn gallu ateb mwy o gwestiynau gan amrywiaeth eang o bobl ifanc (mewn cydweithrediad â Caerdydd sy’n Dda i Blant).

Ar ran holl aelodau a Gweithrediaeth y CIC, hoffwn ddiolch yn fawr i’r Cynghorydd Thomas a’r Cynghorydd Merry am eu hamser a’u sylw. Edrychaf ymlaen at barhau â’r cyfarfodydd hyn a hyrwyddo’r nod o gael Caerdydd sy’n fwy cynhwysol ac sy’n annog cyfranogi.