Urdd Gobaith Cymru has launched its 105th Peace and Goodwill Message, declaring that “peace speaks every language”.
Every year since 1922, the youth of Wales have sent a peace message addressing vital global issues.
With experts warning that half of the world’s 7,000 languages could vanish by the end of the century due to globalisation, migration, and climate change, the 2026 message is a poignant call to action. It reminds global leaders and citizens alike that protecting linguistic diversity is a crucial tool for peacebuilding.
Cymru internationals Ffion Morgan, Dylan Lawlor, Carrie Jones, Rubin Colwill and Cymru captain Angharad James read this year’s message as part of the official 2026 campaign video, which the Urdd is encouraging people across the world to share. Their involvement reflects the strong support of the Football Association of Wales for the campaign and its message.
The 2026 message will be translated into 75 languages, including more minority languages than ever before. Driven by the voices of Welsh youth and amplified by Cymru’s International players, the campaign aims to reach over 40 million people globally.
This year’s message, focusing on the critical preservation of minority, regional, and indigenous languages, was launched at the Spotify Camp Nou in Barcelona, Europe’s largest football stadium and historic symbol of Catalan identity.
Ffion Morgan was in Barcelona representing the FAW and the Urdd as a Campaign Ambassador. Speaking at the Spotify Camp Nou, she said: “As a Welsh speaker and a footballer, I know how important it is to be proud of your roots while connecting with the wider world. Sharing this message from an iconic global venue like the Spotify Camp Nou shows that young people are ready to lead the conversation. Peace speaks every language, and the young people of Wales are asking the world to listen.”
Noel Mooney, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales said: “Our Cymru international teams take immense pride in representing Wales on the global stage, showcasing our identity, language, and core values as a nation to the world. The Urdd does exactly the same through its historic Peace and Goodwill Message. Our continued partnership proves that both on and off the pitch, Cymru continues to punch above its weight to champion respect, diversity, and peace globally.”
In a time of deep division and widespread displacement, the Urdd’s message serves as a vital reminder that peace is built on empathy, respect, and the protection of cultural identity. The young people of Wales are using their platform to demand a future where every voice in every language is heard.
