A Message of Hope
Looking towards a positive future
by Helen Gwynne-Kinsey
Suitable for Whole School (Sec)
Aims
To encourage us to think about the contributions that we can make in creating a better future.
Preparation and materials
- Have available the YouTube video ‘Neges Heddwch ac Ewyllys Da 2020’ and the means to show it during the assembly. It is subtitled and is 1.08 minutes long. It is available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OztstvtsFt0
Assembly
- Every year since 1922, the young people of Wales have broadcast a message of peace and goodwill to the world. The first message was inspired by the dreadful loss of life during the First World War and the turmoil that followed it.
- The theme of the annual message is often based on significant world events. This was particularly relevant in 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic had such a sudden and immense effect upon all our lives.
- Play the YouTube video ‘Neges Heddwch ac Ewyllys Da 2020’.
Read out the following transcript of the video. You may wish to read each section in turn, pausing to allow time for the students to think about the words.
To the people of the world,
Nature has shaken us, awakened us.
We are spending needlessly, we are wasting needlessly, we are travelling needlessly.
To the young people of the world,
The time has come for thanks.
Thank you to the frontline workers who’ve been our lifeline.
Together, we can create a better future,
A future of caring for ourselves and others,
A future of caring for the less fortunate in our communities,
A future of caring for our planet.
It's time to act.
Dear leaders of the world,
Coronavirus has stopped the clock.
Listen to the young people of Wales and the world, standing together.
Act now and be responsible for our future.
The world has awoken:
Now you must wake up too.
Time for reflection
Ask the students to reflect on the following.
- Think about how your life has changed during recent months and reflect on the positive things that you have achieved despite the world’s problems.
Pause to allow time for thought.
- What changes do you feel that you need to make in the future in order to protect our world?
Pause to allow time for thought.
- Think about how you can have a positive impact on the future for your generation as we move out of the pandemic.
Pause to allow time for thought.
Prayer
Dear God,
We thank you for the people who have worked so hard on the front line through incredibly difficult times.
We pray that, as young people, we will be able to work successfully to shape a society in which we are fully represented, and for which we are fully prepared to take on our responsibilities.
We pray for better times ahead and look forward with hope for the future.
Amen.
