Digital dialogue: Wales
Case study overview
Digital Dialogue: Wales helps schools create meaningful conversations between young people and politicians. Learners explore how Welsh democracy works, discuss issues they care about, research politicians and prepare questions before speaking directly with a politician that represents them, either online or in person. By moving from classroom learning into a real political conversation, the programme aims to make Welsh politics easier to understand, build trust and help young people see how they can engage with decision makers.
How it worked
The programme is delivered over four teaching hours.
The first three hours are classroom workshops. Learners explore the democratic process, consider the issues that matter to them and develop questions for the politician they will meet.
The final hour is the Dialogue session. An elected representative either visits the classroom or joins online, giving learners the opportunity to ask their questions and discuss the issues they have prepared.
Impact
Evaluation found that the proportion of learners who understood how the Welsh political system works rose from 40% before the programme to 60% afterwards.
Other findings included:
- Understanding of the role of a politician rose from 51% to 64%.
- Confidence in sharing views with politicians increased by 11%.
- Trust in elected representatives increased by 9%.
- The proportion who felt represented by politicians increased by 17%.
- The proportion who felt that voting was something they could do increased by 10%.
- The proportion who felt able to influence change in society increased by 11%.
One learner said:
“I can honestly say that this project has changed my life and opened my eyes to politics. I’m seriously considering a career in politics. I’m now taking steps towards a career in that and wouldn’t have been without the project.”
— Learner, Cowbridge School
Key strengths
The preparation gave learners enough knowledge and confidence to make the most of their conversation with a politician.
Allowing young people to choose the issues and shape their own questions kept the Dialogue relevant to their lives. They were not simply learning about political institutions—they were using that knowledge to question someone who represented them.
Offering the Dialogue online or in person also allowed schools to choose the format that worked best for them while ensuring a meaningful exchange between learners and politicians.
Key learning
- Give learners time to prepare to understand who they will meet, explore the issues they care about and prepare their questions.
- Keep Dialogue groups to class size or smaller so everyone has a realistic opportunity to speak and participate if they want to.
- Give each learner an active role, whether by asking a question or contributing to the discussion, rather than choosing a small group of more confident young people to lead the session.
Further Information
Read the Digital Dialogue Wales 2023–2025 Impact Report to explore the programme’s approach, reach and impact in more detail.