Digital Dialogue: Wales
Digital Dialogue: Wales supports learners across Wales to have meaningful conversations with their elected representatives.
About the programme
Funded by the Welsh Government, the programme supports learners to take part in Dialogue sessions with the politicians that represent them, building trust and relationships on both sides and equipping young people with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to participate in the democratic process. The programme is free of charge for schools.
Digital Dialogue: Wales helps teachers to prepare learners for those conversations through delivering engaging workshops with learning resources that empower learners to become ethical, informed citizens of Wales and the world, directly supporting one of the four core purposes of the Curriculum for Wales.
Find out more about the impact of Digital Dialogue: Wales.
We train teachers to deliver the programme, supporting them to develop: confidence and skills to deliver non-partisan democratic education and develop best practice in supporting
Teachers use our resources to deliver three hours of workshops to their students. The resources support young people to explore social and political issues, research the politicians they will engage with and prepare questions for their Dialogue sessions.
We arrange and facilitate a Digital Dialogue session, connecting students with politicians via Teams, Zoom or a similar platform. We can also arrange in-person Dialogue sessions if the teachers prefer.
When a politician offers to do something on behalf of young people during a Dialogue we log it as a “Pledge”. We will then liaise with the politician and school to support the politician in fulfilling the pledge.
Read about some examples of pledges that have had an impact.
Leader Dialogues
Held once a year, Leader Dialogues are unique Dialogue sessions where learners from multiple schools across Wales ask questions and discuss key issues with a Senedd party leader.
Leader Dialogues usually take place in the Autumn term. You can find out more about previous Leader Dialogue sessions here.
If you are just interested in taking part, please complete this expression of interest form.
Sign up
To take part in Digital Dialogue: Wales you just need to complete our Expression of Interest form. The programme is free of charge. If you are working in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland you can access support through the wider Digital Dialogue programme.
This includes:
Personalised CPD and support to enable you and your colleagues to deliver the programme.
Access to Dialogue sessions with local politicians.
Access to the Leader Dialogue sessions.
Learning resources in Welsh and English.
Early notification of special events and activities, such as our Digital Dialogue USA programme.
Interested?
You can sign up here!
This link will take you to an Expression of Interest form. It just takes 2 minutes to fill out, and one of our team will be in touch.
Session 1 – Introduction to Hustings & Preparing Learners
In collaboration with Senedd Education
This session includes an introduction to hustings and an overview of the key learning resources you’ll need to support your students to engage confidently in the hustings.
Session 2 – Candidates & Ensuring Impartiality
In collaboration with the Electoral Commission
This session includes guidance on contacting and engaging candidates, as well as how to organise a hustings that meets impartiality requirements and safeguarding considerations.
Session 3 – Promoting Your Hustings
In collaboration with the Electoral Commission
This session includes advice on how to promote your hustings to learners, as well as how to engage other schools, colleges, and youth groups to attend and take part.
Session 4 – Designing Your Hustings
This session includes an overview of different event formats and advice on choosing what works best for young people. It also includes guidance on logistics such as venue, equipment, translation, meeting candidates, refreshments, and signage.
Bonus Session – Training Young Chairs. This session includes a dedicated workshop for learners who want to chair the event.
