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How We Got Here
There’s still a way to go, but here is the story of how our Wales came to be...
| CYM
There’s still a way to go, but here is the story of how our Wales came to be...
A timeline
How will what you do today, make life better for people seven generations from now? That’s the Seventh Generation Principle (attributed to the Iroquois Confederacy). Today’s Wales owes much to this first nations concept of honouring the past and protecting the future.
Wales puts duty to promote sustainable development explicitly in its founding constitution, the Government of Wales Act 1998 – which creates the National Assembly for Wales in 1999.
Public Service Management Wales is established as a centre for excellence in leadership and management for public services in Wales; “translating individual learning into organisational change to deliver better services”.
It’s revealed we need to cut Wales’ ecological footprint by 75% to live within our fair share of the planet’s resources. This major WWF event, One Planet Wales, inspires Welsh Government Environment Minister, Jane Davidson, who proposes new, future generations legislation.
A new vision, One Wales, One Planet is announced by the then First Minister, Rhodri Morgan, pledging Wales will learn from the past as global citizens within the context of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
New Programme for Government announces bill aiming to set Wales apart as a sustainable nation – by embedding sustainable development as the central organising principle in all actions across government and public bodies.
Public Service Management Wales becomes Academi Wales. The Welsh Government Behaviour Change Programme is created to apply the latest behavioural science to support the embedding of sustainable development.
Michael Sheen launches national conversation at Wales Millennium Centre, involving thousands of people sharing their views on what would improve their communities. What Wales Wants is one big involvement exercise – by the people, for the people.
Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act passed on the floor of the Senedd, making Wales the only country in the world with a Well-being of Future Generations Act. Alongside come seven national goals, five ways to get there, 50 indicators to check our progress.
Sophie Howe made first Future Generations Commissioner. She asks people across Wales: “what are the things that if we got right would make the biggest contribution to each of the seven national well-being goals?”
Wales becomes party to the Paris Agreement and founding contributor to The Climate Groups Future Fund, empowering developing and emerging economy regions to accelerate climate action.
Welsh Government revises planning policy to fit the WFGA, introducing ‘active and social places’ promoting all four areas of well-being. A Social Partnership and Public Procurement Act gives workers more opportunity to shape policy, in a UK first.
Wales is first nation in world to declare a climate emergency. We later become third, then second for recycling. 10 millionth tree planted in Uganda by the Size of Wales. Wales later commits to planting 25 million trees in Uganda by 2025.
WFGA used to overturn plan to spend £1.4bn on a 14-mile, additional stretch of motorway bypassing Newport. A nationwide campaign by climate voices, and an intervention by the commissioner, saves wetlands housing rare birds, plants and insects and changes transport in Wales.
WFGA supports public bodies working together during challenges of a Covid-19 pandemic, from Swansea Council reducing homelessness to Swansea Bay University Health Board supplying unused field hospital beds to families to reduce bed poverty.
Instead of the M4 extension, a sustainable network of additional rail stations, rapid bus routes and cycle corridors will be built in what’s described as a ‘landmark moment and testament to the change that the Act is bringing about’.
Wales launches new transport strategy that priorities car-free travel. Plan to increase public transport, walking, and cycling to 45% by 2045 and a major review on road building stops or changes the majority of roads, and 20mph speed limits to keep communities safe.
Wales signs up to the Beyond Oil and Gas alliance at COP 26.
Inner Development Goals (IDG) framework published. 1000+ scientists, experts and HR and sustainability professionals co-create this framework which describes the contemplative and inter-relational practices needed for us to become sustainable. It’s incorporated in the Welsh Government Culture Change Service that year and into the Welsh Government Policy Capability Framework in 2023.
Welsh Government publishes Anti Racist Wales Action Plan, with a commitment to being an anti-racist nation by 2030. It’s later extended to include environmental factors such as climate change and rural affairs and was refreshed in response to the 2024 UK riots.
Roll-out of new purpose-driven schools curriculum. Later, come new qualifications to teach people to be planet stewards and a National Nature Service for Wales.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council becomes a Real Living Wage employer in direct response to the cost-of-living crisis in a step towards a well-being economy.
Derek Walker becomes new Future Generations Commissioner for Wales and publishes Cymru Can, a seven-year plan for the WFGA to work harder, with a focus on culture and Welsh language, health and well-being, a well-being economy and climate and nature.
Câr-y-Môr seaweed and shellfish community enterprise uses WFGA to win a 20-year marine license after a successful NRW appeal. Derek Walker later says seaweed could be ‘Wales’ super power’.
Derek Walker and office help lead conversation around how we’ll feed ourselves in the future, and protect our rivers; challenges Welsh Government to stop coal mining for good; and supports more businesses to improve well-being for future generations. Free school meals made universal for primary school children.
The UN follows Wales’ lead and signs the Declaration on Future Generations, almost 10 years after they said: “What Wales is doing today, the world will do tomorrow”.
The 100th person graduates from the Future Generations Leadership Academy, and Wales marks 10 years of future generations thinking.
There’s a long path ahead, and only with consistent commitment to a better future for the not-yet-born, will we reach the Wales we want. We believe that Cymru Can. Are you with us?