“If you think international exchange isn’t for you because of your background, or because you are disabled, or because you have additional learning needs – Taith is especially designed for you.” That was the powerful message from first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford.

“With the launch of this new strategy, we are refocusing our efforts on reaching those who have been underrepresented in the past” he continued.

In a promotional video, Drakeford said that Taith is working together with education providers of all kinds to break down barriers to international exchange.

He also emphasised the reciprocal approach of the program, stating that international exchange is a “two-way street”.

“We are inviting our friends from around the world to come and visit us here in Wales for learning exchanges.”

Since launching in 2022, Taith has awarded funding to allow over 11,000 people to learn, study and volunteer globally and enabled exchanges between Wales and over 90 countries.

“We are refocusing our efforts on reaching those who have been underrepresented in the past”

The original strategy was written during the early stages of development of Taith, prior to the launch of the program, Susana Galván Hernández, executive director of Taith told The PIE.

“Taith has developed significantly since then, evolving in to a fully formed and uniquely Welsh program, designed to work for all the sectors across Wales, and to be inclusive and accessible to those with the greatest barriers to participation” said Galván Hernández.

She highlighted that although there are no significant changes from the original strategy, the refreshed strategy aims to pull out the key points from the original and ensure clarity of purpose and a focus on access for underrepresented groups.

This includes those from disadvantaged backgrounds, ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people and people with additional learning needs.

Galván Hernández said the strategy reinforces Taith’s commitment to ensuring it is “genuinely inclusive and accessible”, with a “renewed focus on ensuring those with the greatest barriers are able to access these opportunities”.

“Those underrepresented in international exchange often have the most to gain but face the greatest barriers to participation,” she added.

A message from @PrifWeinidog 👇

We’re on a mission to make international exchange inclusive and accessible for learners of all kinds.

See our refreshed strategy 👉 https://t.co/WfnFsHsL09 pic.twitter.com/8JOwxqL9ka

— Taith (@TaithWales) October 10, 2023

The first of Taith’s three main objectives is to ensure exchanges provide the greatest impact. One way it aims to do so is by providing additional support for organisations working with individuals from underrepresented groups.

The program is committed to funding high-quality learning exchange projects and its new strategy sets out how this will be done, which includes ensuring that information and processes are “accessible and transparent”.

The third and final objective of the strategy is to support educational innovation in Wales; Taith said it will target funding for collaborative projects on areas of strategic priority, as well as support collaboration between Welsh organisations and international experts on projects that benefit education in Wales.

The strategy also touches upon climate change, highlighting that global challenges can “only be solved through global co-operation.

Taith said it is committed to encouraging sustainable practices, including additional funding for more environmentally sustainable travel and highlighted in its strategy that it facilitates collaborative projects on the theme of climate change.