NFWI-Wales Annual Conference returns to Pembrokeshire with the theme Pathways

The 97th Annual Conference of the National Federation of Women’s Institutes (NFWI)-Wales, hosted by Pembrokeshire Federation, will be held at the Torch Theatre, Milford Haven on Wednesday 23 March 2022 between 10.45am and 3.30pm. The Conference will also be live streamed.

Based on the theme Pathways, guest speakers include:-

• Ann Jones – Chair of the NFWI;
• Jamie Owen – Journalist, Broadcaster, Author and former BBC Wales Today Presenter;
• David Wilson – Landscape photographer;
• Nia Roberts – Journalist and Broadcaster; and 
• Rachel Downing – Head of Policy and Campaigns, Target Ovarian Cancer.

Ann Jones will take us on a journey with all the unexpected twist and turns of life. The challenges and different paths she could have chosen but also the unexpected honours and joys she has been blessed with.

Jamie Owen and David Wilson will share their passion for Pembrokeshire. They will reflect on the year they spent travelling Pembrokeshire, camera and notebook in hand, exploring the fascinating customs, traditions and working practices of rural communities throughout the county.  

To mark Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, Nia Roberts and Rachel Downing will discuss ovarian cancer.  In June 2021, a resolution on ovarian cancer awareness was passed by WI members with a majority of 99.48% leading to the WI’s See the Signs campaign. Nia Roberts, who lost her mother to ovarian cancer 31 years ago, will speak from a family perspective. This will be followed by a conversation between Nia and Rachel about ovarian cancer and the need to see more done to raise awareness of the subtle signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer.

At the start of the conference, members will be addressed by NFWI-Wales Chair Eirian Roberts and Head of NFWI-Wales Rhian Connick.  Members will also be welcomed to the host county Pembrokeshire by Jenny Longland, Chair of Pembrokeshire Federation of WIs.

Eirian Roberts, Chair of NFWI-Wales said:-  

“As a highlight of the Wales WI calendar, the Wales Conference will be a hybrid  event this year. This will be an opportunity for members throughout the whole country and beyond to join. We are looking forward to hearing some wonderful speakers on the day. We have a photographer, broadcaster and author, a journalist as well as discussions and talks about ovarian cancer, which is a resolution close to every member’s heart. 

“As we come out of the Covid pandemic and people start to socialise once more, this year’s theme “Pathways” is very appropriate as pathways has many meanings – path, route, track, footpath.  These all head forward towards progression, a sense of leading to better things and this is something all WI members will support – going out and moving forward to an interesting and worthwhile future for the good of all women, the climate change and for all that is good in our world.

“This will be my first Wales conference, I’m really looking forward to speaking to members, many who have by now become friends, as well as meeting new members from all Federations across the country and beyond.”