Dr Rowan Williams has been announced as the first Patron of leading Welsh charity Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) Wales. EYST Wales is a Swansea-based charity supporting ethnic minority people, which in recent years has expanded across Wales.
EYST Wales CEO Rocio Cifuentes extended the invitation on behalf of the trustees, after meeting Dr Williams at her former college Magdalene College, Cambridge University, where he is currently Master. Dr Williams was delighted to accept the invitation, due to his affiliation to Swansea, his home town, and the issues of equality, minorities, refugees and human rights being particularly close to his heart.
Ms Cifuentes came to Swansea with her parents as a baby, fleeing the Pinochet dictatorship in Chile. She grew up in Swansea and then went on to read Social and Political Science at Magdalene College Cambridge. She now lives in Oystermouth the parish for which Rowan is now a Baron.
Making the announcement, Ms Cifuentes said “We are delighted to introduce the Reverend Rowan Williams, Baron Williams of Oystermouth, Master of Magdalene College Cambridge, and the former Archbishop of Canterbury as our first ever Patron of EYST Wales. We are thrilled and honoured to have such a prestigious, accomplished and sincere Patron, and look forward to welcoming Rowan in person to EYST Wales in the coming year.
Speaking of his new patronage, Dr Rowan Williams said:
“I am very happy indeed to be patron of EYST Wales. It is vital that every part of our society is able to explore its own experience and find its own voice – especially at a time when racism and exclusivism of various sorts seem to be on the rise again in some quarters. Wales at its best has often been a welcoming home for people of diverse origins and culture; creative diversity is something to be proud of, and I hope that EYST Wales’ work will continue to celebrate this and to make the needs and gifts of people of all ages and backgrounds more visible in Welsh society.’
Help keep news FREE for our readers
Supporting your local community newspaper/online news outlet is crucial now more than ever. If you believe in independent journalism, then consider making a valuable contribution by making a one-time or monthly donation. We operate in rural areas where providing unbiased news can be challenging. Read More About Supporting The West Wales Chronicle
