4. 90-second Statements

– in the Senedd at 3:52 pm on 18 May 2022.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 3:52, 18 May 2022

(Translated)

The next item is the 90-second statements, and the first comes from Vikki Howells. 

Photo of Vikki Howells Vikki Howells Labour

Diolch, Dirprwy Lywydd. Today is International Museum Day. First celebrated in 1977, last year over 37,000 museums in over 150 countries took part. The day aims to raise awareness of museums as arenas for cultural exchange, where we enrich our understanding of ourselves and others. This year's theme, the power of museums, taps into this transformative potential. It explores how museums benefit their communities by disseminating ideas around sustainability and the social economy; innovating and improving digitalisation to expand access; and, community building through a democratic, social fabric that provides lifelong learning opportunities. Truly, museums can be powerful tools of social change.

National museums in Wales remain free to enter. This is really important, ensuring that all can engage with our shared heritage. Pre pandemic, 1.8 million visits were made annually under this scheme. Today's announcement from the Deputy Minister for culture shows Welsh Government's continued commitment to invest in our museums. I welcome the pledges in the programme for government to support museums and also to ensure that other stories, such as the experiences of BAME people in Wales, are told.

To close, I want to mention Cynon Valley Museum. This is a real gem, well worth a visit at its site in front of the remains of the historic Gadlys ironwork furnaces. Thanks to the staff and volunteers at the museum for their work, not just on International Museum Day, but all year round.

Photo of Jane Dodds Jane Dodds Liberal Democrat 3:54, 18 May 2022

This week is Dementia Action Week. I wanted to put on record my thanks to those communities and services for the work they do to support individuals and families living with dementia, particularly those in my own region of Mid and West Wales. We have Brecon dementia-friendly family community, who won an award for their work in 2016; Llanelli market was the first dementia-friendly market in Wales; the Alzheimer's Society runs services in Pembrokeshire; Age Cymru Dyfed's support services; Dementia Matters in Powys; and, Crickhowell, a dementia-friendly town. There are so many of them around not just my region, but many others as well. The theme of this year's campaign is early diagnosis. Only 53 per cent of people living with dementia in Wales have a diagnosis, meaning that many go without the support they need to live with dignity.

I have my own personal experiences. My dad had Alzheimer's and my mum had dementia. Once they had been diagnosed, of course we got the services they needed, but before that we struggled as a family, particularly with the shame and stigma. So, I want to take the opportunity to ask the Senedd to put on record our thanks to all the volunteers, carers, and services that raised awareness of dementia to aid early diagnosis and improve the quality of life for those people affected by dementia. Diolch yn fawr iawn.

Photo of Tom Giffard Tom Giffard Conservative 3:55, 18 May 2022

This week is Wales Tourism Week, and Wales Tourism Week 2022 is an opportunity for businesses and communities across Wales to raise awareness of the sector and showcase the quality of Wales's tourism offer to both UK and international tourists. Visitors spend over £6 billion a year, and tourism in Wales is responsible for the employment of nearly 10 per cent of the Welsh workforce. And to mark Wales Tourism Week 2022, the Wales Tourism Alliance theme supports the tourism and hospitality skills and recruitment campaign, 'the Experience makers'. And in partnership with the industry-led Wales tourism and skills partnership, in 2021 Visit Wales launched 'the Experience makers', which is a skills and recruitment campaign to support the sector by raising awareness of the high numbers of vacancies and of the variety of career opportunities available. The campaign targets young people, school leavers, students, those unsure about their future career, or young adults who might be looking for flexible working around, for example, childcare, and other older adults looking for part-time work or even a career change. The message of the campaign this year is to join the experience makers. So, wherever your tourism business is in Wales, I know that this Senedd will want to thank you for all of your continued efforts in showcasing Wales on a local, national and international level.

Photo of David Rees David Rees Labour 3:57, 18 May 2022

(Translated)

Thank you, everyone.