Politics and literature join forces to launch Amnesty push on freedom of expression at Swansea school

Minister and poet laureate among those backing education pack

The great and good of literature and politics came together today at Bishopston Comprehensive School in Swansea to launch Amnesty International’s UK-wide schools’ promotion of freedom of expression.

Edwina Hart, the Minister for Business, Enterprise, Technology and Science in the Welsh Assembly; the Welsh Children’s Poet Laureate, Eurig Salisbury; Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive of Urdd Gobaith Cymru; and David Evans, NUT Cymru Secretary, were all on hand to promote the new bilingual education pack Speak Free / Siarad yn Agored.

The pack puts the issue of freedom of expression into sharp focus and allows young people to think about creative approaches to campaigning. It has gone out to hundreds of schools across the UK as part of Amnesty’s activities, resources and events on freedom of expression for the winter term.

Speaking at the launch, Edwina Hart AM said: “I am grateful for the opportunity to attend Amnesty International’s launch of Speak Free."

She went on to stress how important it is to stand up for individuals who are persecuted for their beliefs.

She said: “In the wider world, where someone can be imprisoned, tortured or executed because of their opinions how much worse to be sorry for the words we could have said, but didn’t.”

Efa Gruffudd Jones added: “It is important that young people feel the freedom to express themselves in the knowledge that others will listen.

“The voice of each and every young person is important, and by listening to their energetic voices we can become a more vibrant and creative country.”

Eurig Salisbury also penned a poem for the event.

“Cynnau cannwyll cyn cynnen – y mae rhai,

Ymroi gydag awen

Ac ymladd gydag amlen,

Dileu nos â dalen wen.”

“Some prefer candlelight to igniting strife,

they strive with words

and with letters they fight,

with a fresh page they cross out the night.”

The school itself already has a strong human rights record and was heavily involved with the Urdd Message of Peace and Goodwill.

Following the speeches, there was a short drama production from the school’s Year 10 class. The play looked at Amnesty’s work over the last 50 years, highlighting the cases of several people who spoke out against human rights in their country.

Nora Jensen, Head of Year 10 at the school, added: “It is hard to hear about the suffering people go through, but it would be cowardly to try to ignore it. The more of us who respond and the more people we involve, the more help is given and the more benefit received by those who are suffering.”

Hafina John, 15, read the part of Maria Gillespie in the play. Maria, a courageous Uruguayan girl, was the same age as Hafina when she was arrested and tortured by the country’s authorities. Hafina said: “I was shocked when I heard what happened to Maria for her beliefs. Things are hidden. We must create more awareness and get more people to help.”

Harry Lawrence, a 15-year-old prefect at the school, added: “I am shocked with the abuses of human rights I have seen going on in the world. We should be the ones to make a difference, today not tomorrow.”