Keith's Blog

All a twitter!

Today is St David’s Day and on this day two years ago I became the Children’s Commissioner for Wales. By way of celebration I’m going live on Twitter.

For some time now I have been writing a blog which has featured on our staff intranet and some of the blogs have made it on to our website and the Western Mail have printed one each month. But now my blogs are going onto our website with an archive so that people can dip into them if they wish.

To be honest I was a bit cynical about blogging when this was first put to me but I confess I’m now a convert. For two reasons mainly. Firstly it is clear that people do read the blogs. I have been at conferences and meetings and have heard people quote from them and I have had many a conversation as a result of someone reading a blog and wanting to follow up in discussion directly with me. Some would say its taken me a while to realise this but the second reason is that I can now see that this is a really powerful communication tool and not engaging in the digital world would represent an opportunity lost.

When I was appointed two years ago Rhodri Morgan AM challenged me to consider entering into a debate with the general public about children and young people; to consider ways in which I could fulfil my remit as the “Children’s Champion” by promoting positive attitudes towards our children and young people. That has become an increasingly important aspect of my work and writing regular blogs and using Twitter will I hope help me to both get my messages across and to follow what others are saying as well.

 So, I’m entering a brave new world – well for me at least. I’m excited at the opportunity that this will give to influence others on the issues that are important to children and young people. With a bit of luck you are reading this because you are interested in the work we do here in the Commissioner’s office. That being the case I hope the blogs will continue to be of interest and that you will follow us on Twitter. See you there!