The Welsh Diaspora in the USA

Part of 1. Questions to the First Minister – in the Senedd at 2:09 pm on 20 March 2018.

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Photo of Steffan Lewis Steffan Lewis Plaid Cymru 2:09, 20 March 2018

I think, of all the Celtic countries, we've got a lot of catching up to do when it comes to maximising the opportunities of engaging with our diaspora. There are a couple of points I'd like to raise with the First Minister—one I've raised before, and that is the decision of the Welsh Government not to continue to measure Wales's global reputation. I wonder if the First Minister could put in writing the reasons behind that decision not to measure Wales's global reputation, because I think that that is a useful indicator, particularly when we look at engaging with the diaspora and, more broadly, Wales's reputation as a trading nation. And, secondly, will he ask his officials to look into the possibility of a Welsh Government scheme to bestow on people an official Welsh Government certification of Welsh heritage so that in exchange for a considerable fee, and also, of course, a demonstration that they are of Welsh ancestry, people from across the world can have an official Welsh heritage certification from the Government that they will cherish, it will raise funds for the Welsh Government that could be put towards great efforts and projects like Wales for Africa, or give greater opportunities for young people from Wales to go and study and travel overseas.