Urdd

Urdd Gobaith Cymru Welsh pronunciation: [ˈɨrð ˈɡɔbaɪθ ˈkəmrɨ], literally, the Welsh League of Hope, but normally translated as the Welsh League of Youth, or merely referred to as the Urdd, is a youth movement based in Wales. The organisation's aim is to give children and young people the chance to learn and socialise in the Welsh language and it has "played a significant role over the past 90 years in promoting a Welsh and Welsh-speaking citizenship amongst Welsh youth". It is the largest organisation for children and young people in Wales, with over 55,000 members. The Urdd organises activities for its members ranging from small-scale meetings to the Urdd National Eisteddfod, which lasts for a week, and is attended by tens of thousands of visitors (over 100,000 in 2005) and is televised on S4C.

The Urdd was founded in 1922 by Sir Ifan ab Owen Edwards through an appeal in the children's magazine Cymru'r Plant ("the Children's Wales"). The first Urdd local branch was established in Treuddyn in 1922. In 1925 the first "Peace and Goodwill Message" from the youth of Wales to the youth of the world was issued by the Urdd, a custom that continues every year on 18 May. The logo of the Urdd is a triangle of green (symbolising Wales), red (symbolising fellow-man), and white (symbolising Christ): faithfulness to these three elements is the basis of the Urdd's motto. A version of this logo with eyes, arms and legs becomes the character Mistar Urdd.

There are three age groups within the Urdd: primary (school) members under 11, secondary (school) members between 11 and 16, and senior members between 16 and 25. The Urdd is organised into local groups whose catchment areas are based on those of the Welsh-medium schools of Wales. These groups in turn are organised into larger county-based regions. Competitions organised by the Urdd include sports (including rugby union, swimming, darts, and pool amongst others); and arts, which are generally contested at eisteddfodau. Competitions begin at the local stage. Winners of local competitions go on to regional competitions; winners of these then progress to the national finals, which for non-sports competitions is the Urdd National Eisteddfod. Depending on the intensity the school brings to the matter, school eisteddfodau and Urdd competitions can be a major aspect of being in school in Wales.

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