Bethan Sayed Named Head of Oxfam Cymru

Bethan Sayed has taken over as the new chief executive of Oxfam Cymru. She is a former Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd and has recently worked with the charity Climate Cymru. Sayed said she first volunteered with Oxfam at the Glastonbury Festival when she was 18 years old. Her upbringing in a family in the Valleys shaped her political and charitable views from an early age.

Sayed described her childhood home as one that was always involved in global causes. She recalled her parents protesting against the imprisonment of Nelson Mandela and marching in the streets of the Valleys for issues in South America. Her family was part of the Cardiffs Red Band before that group grew into a larger campaigning organization. She said this background gave her a strong foundation for her current work.

As the new leader of the charity, Sayed stated that Oxfam has always challenged governments. The organization aims to speak for people who lack a voice on the international stage and in Wales. She noted that this mission fits her own experience as a politician who challenged governance and as a lifelong campaigner. She wants to continue this tradition of advocacy for vulnerable populations.

Sayed emphasized the importance of decolonization in Oxfam's future strategy. She said the charity must work with members in other countries to change how the world views colonial history. This involves shifting the perspective away from a white person living in Cardiff to the local viewpoint. She wants to ensure that the people affected by colonial legacies are respected and that their stories drive the narrative.

The new chief executive also highlighted the connection between global climate change and local events in Wales. She noted that people with the smallest contribution to climate change often suffer the most. She pointed to recent fires and floods in France, Spain, and Syria as examples of global issues. She wants to use these international cases of action to teach lessons in Wales and vice versa.

Sayed expressed a desire to hold discussions with the Welsh Government in the future. She is looking for ways to secure funding from the government in Cardiff for Oxfam projects around the world. She described herself as a hopeful person who believes one individual can make a difference. She said that citizens have the power to influence government actions through voting. She argued that maintaining a positive attitude is essential for change.