Press release

Welsh Language Champion appointed as Defence updates the Welsh Language Scheme. Penodi Pencampwr y Gymraeg wrth i’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn ddiweddaru ei Chynllun Iaith Gymraeg

Defence appoints a Welsh Language Champion as part of the updated Welsh Language Scheme

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government
Air Commodore Adrian Williams

A Welsh Language Champion has been announced by Defence as part of the updates made to the Welsh Language Scheme.

Air Commodore Adrian Williams, who is the RAF’s most senior officer in Wales, and a Welsh speaker, has been appointed to the role with the approval of the Welsh Language Commissioner.

The updated Welsh Language Scheme, together with the new Language Champion appointment, will provide additional guidance across Defence to further strengthen Defence’s engagement and interaction with the Welsh speaking public.

The scheme highlights Defence’s commitment to the digital agenda in Wales and recognises the pledge to significantly increase information available on the Welsh-English portal on the Government’s website. The changes to the scheme will also see an increase in Welsh language social media posts through Defence’s official accounts.

Air Commodore Williams will undertake his duties as Welsh Language Champion for Defence alongside his existing role as Air Officer Wales, the most senior RAF Officer in Wales. He will be championing the Welsh language across Defence and enhancing Defence’s ability to operate bi-lingually in Wales.

Air Commodore Williams said:

It is a great privilege to be appointed as MOD’s first Welsh Language Champion. As someone who was brought up in a Welsh speaking household, and who went to a Welsh speaking school, I have always been passionate about our native language and understand its central importance to people and communities across Wales. The publication of MOD’s updated Welsh Language Scheme signifies our commitment to further strengthen our abilities to operate bilingually in Wales and I very much look forward to leading this work.

Going forward the changes to the scheme and the recent Language Champion appointment demonstrate the inclusive nature of Defence and will encourage the use of Welsh above the current legal requirement. This is part of the commitment to a united nation and a recognition of the importance of the Welsh language.

Penodi Pencampwr y Gymraeg wrth i’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn ddiweddaru ei Chynllun Iaith Gymraeg

Mae’r Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn wedi cyhoeddi ei bod yn penodi Pencampwr y Gymraeg fel rhan o’r diweddariadau i’r Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg. Comodor yr Awyrlu Adrian Williams yw’r swyddog RAF uchaf yng Nghymru ac mae’n Gymro Cymraeg. Mae wedi cael ei benodi i’r rôl gyda chymeradwyaeth yr Ysgrifennydd Parhaol.

Bydd y Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg diweddaraf, ynghyd â phenodiad Pencampwr y Gymraeg newydd, yn darparu arweiniad ychwanegol ledled y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn i gryfhau’r gwaith o ymgysylltu a rhyngweithio â’r cyhoedd sy’n siarad Cymraeg.

Mae’r cynllun yn tynnu sylw at ymrwymiad y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn i’r agenda digidol yng Nghymru, ac yn cydnabod yr addewid i gynyddu’n sylweddol y wybodaeth sydd ar gael ar y porth Cymraeg-Saesneg ar wefan y Llywodraeth. Bydd y newidiadau i’r cynllun hefyd yn arwain at gynnydd yn nifer y postiadau Cymraeg ar gyfrifon cyfryngau cymdeithasol swyddogol y Weinyddiaeth.

Ychwanegodd Comodor yr Awyrlu Adrian Williams:

Mae’n fraint cael fy mhenodi’n Bencampwr y Gymraeg cyntaf y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn. Fel rhywun sydd wedi ei fagu ar aelwyd Gymraeg, ac a aeth i ysgol Gymraeg, rwyf wastad wedi bod yn frwd dros ein mamiaith ac rwyf yn deall ei phwysigrwydd canolog i bobl a chymunedau ledled Cymru. Mae cyhoeddi Cynllun Iaith Gymraeg diweddaraf y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn yn arwydd o’n hymrwymiad i gryfhau ymhellach ein gallu i weithredu’n ddwyieithog yng Nghymru ac edrychaf ymlaen yn fawr at arwain y gwaith hwn.

Wrth symud ymlaen, mae’r newidiadau i’r cynllun a phenodiad diweddar Pencampwr y Gymraeg yn dangos natur gynhwysol y Weinyddiaeth Amddiffyn a bydd yn annog unigolion i ddefnyddio’r Gymraeg ar draws yr Adran. Mae hyn yn rhan o’r ymrwymiad i genedl unedig a chydnabyddiaeth o bwysigrwydd y Gymraeg.

Updates to this page

Published 15 December 2021