Trainee solicitor Nansi Eccott represents Geldards on Urdd ambassadorial visit
Nansi Eccott, a trainee solicitor in Geldards’ Infrastructure and Construction team recently represented the firm on an ambassadorial trip arranged by Urdd Gobaith Cymru. Nansi visited UNESCO in Paris and the United Nations in Geneva to share a message of Peace and Goodwill.
The Urdd is a National Voluntary Youth Organisation which was established in 1922, to provide opportunities for young people aged 8-25 years old to gain experiences and skills through the Welsh language. It currently boasts over 55,000 members. Nansi is an enthusiastic advocate for the Urdd having enjoyed taking part in the youth programme throughout her school life, regularly participating in Eisteddfod yr Urdd (The National Youth Festival of Wales) and most recently competing last year as part of Taflais, a Cardiff-based choir.
When the opportunity arose for Nansi to join a strategic board at the Urdd, she was keen to give something back to the organisation and has just completed her first 3 year-term on the HR Board. Her role on the board involves setting the strategic direction of the HR department to develop a strong workforce, to deliver excellent opportunities for young people in Wales. Nansi has now started her second term on the Board.
Each year since the organisation started, the Urdd delivers a message of Peace and Goodwill on behalf of the young people of Wales, to young people around the world to inspire humanitarian activity. The very first message was sent by pacifist Reverend Gwilym Davies from Cwm Rhymni who was prominent in establishing the Welsh Union of the League of Nations and influencing the creation of UNESCO. The message of Peace and Goodwill this year focuses on ‘Child Poverty’ and was chosen by the Urdd and the young people of Wales in response to the children poverty crisis worldwide.
In January Nansi joined five other young board members on a five-day ambassadorial trip, funded by the Welsh Government, to promote the Urdd’s Peace and Goodwill message internationally. During the visit the group formally presented the message in a ceremony at UNESCO in Paris and shared ideas with Anna Nsubuga UK’s UNESCO Ambassador. Last year UNESCO granted its’ patronage to the Urdd’s annual Peace and Goodwill message in recognition of its alignment with UNESCOs’ global values, the first Welsh project to receive such patronage.
The group went on to share the message with the United Nations in Geneva, learning about the UN’s activities to maintain world peace and foster international relations and enjoyed a tour of the Palais des Nations, formerly the headquarters of the League of Nations. Over the course of the week the group met representatives from the Welsh Government, British Council, UNESCO and members of the UN, helping to share the importance of the message.
Jeff Pearson, Geldards CEO commented:
“Geldards was pleased to support Nansi on her ambassadorial visit to Paris and Geneva, spreading the Peace and Goodwill message on behalf of the Urdd. Nansi’s commitment to promoting Welsh skills and opportunities for young people through the Urdd is admirable and we are extremely lucky to count her as one our trainees.
We are proud that Nansi was flying the flag for Geldards internationally, and we wholeheartedly endorse the message of Peace and Goodwill and everything it represents. Congratulations to Nansi for helping to spread the message and foster excellent business networks along the way.”
Nansi Eccott commented:
“It was a pleasure to attend the trip to Paris and Geneva with Urdd Gobaith Cymru. The experience was truly insightful, providing the unique opportunity to engage with international institutions while representing both the Urdd and Geldards on a global level. It was an honour to help promote the organisation’s vital work and its crucial message of Peace and Goodwill.
I would like to thank Geldards for their support, the Urdd for providing the opportunity and the Welsh Government for funding the trip and making such meaningful experiences possible.”