Talking Wales – A Sustainable Future
Posted 28th September 2009 07:00am by Alison Duguid
The Prince’s Charities are today convening for a week of seminars at Llwynywermod, The Prince of Wales’s home near Llandovery, to discuss what actions they can take to contribute to providing a sustainable future for Wales.
The week, running from Monday 28th September to Friday 2nd October 2009, will bring together The Prince’s Charities with partners from the public and private sectors to focus on a range of issues including youth unemployment, the economic contribution of older people, business action on climate change and rural regeneration. The outcomes from the week will be taken forward through The Prince’s Charities in Wales with a formal report back to HRH The Prince of Wales.
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust and PRIME Cymru will start the week with a focus on how best to mobilise both young people and the over-50s into employment. One area of discussion will be the benefit of self-employment for the individual and the economy, a subject of mutual interest for both organisations. Given recent figures which revealed high unemployment among the under 25s and over 50s, this seminar is a timely opportunity to explore how The Prince’s Charities could increase the economic activities of these age groups.
One example of PRIME Cymru’s recent work is an initiative taking place in Brecon where the charity has been working with a group of older people to enable them to turn their hobby craft skills into an extra source of income. The charity has been renting a weekly stall at Brecon Market for the artisans to enable them to sell their wares. PRIME Cymru hopes to roll out the scheme to other rural markets shortly.
The Prince’s Trust is helping thousands of unemployed young people into work or self-employment across Wales. In July 2009, The Trust expanded its Business Programme in Wales to provide business training and small grants to young people, allowing them to road test their ideas before setting up in business. Research for The Trust shows that for every £1 invested in the Business Programme there is a return of £2 to the UK economy. The Prince’s Trust Cymru has helped nearly 70 young people set up their own business since the Business Programme launched last year. A further 230 young people will gain business support from The Trust by March 2010.
The Cambrian Mountains Initiative will be a key focus with a day of seminars planned to explore the potential for developing tourism in the area and promoting local produce. On the evening of Wednesday 30th September a reception will be held with local producers and hospitality businesses, supported by UK Slow Food Movement and Carmarthenshire County Council, as part of British Food Fortnight.
Other organisations from The Prince’s Charities involved in the week include Business in the Community, The Prince’s Rainforests Project, The Prince’s Teaching Institute, The Prince’s Regeneration Trust, The Prince’s Foundation for the Built Environment, The Prince’s Accounting for Sustainability Project, Arts and Business and The Prince’s Foundation for Integrated Health.
