7 Overarching wellbeing goals for Wales

The Wales Wellbeing of Future Generations Act has defined 7 overarching wellbeing goals:

a prosperous Wales
a resilient Wales
a more equal Wales
a healthier Wales
a Wales of cohesive communities
a Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
and a globally responsible Wales.

The seven goals were defined based on a year-long public consultation process whereby the government asked its citizens “What kind of Wales do you want to leave for your children and grandchildren? (see Module 5.7). The Act requires public bodies to put these seven wellbeing goals at the heart of their decision making and makes it clear that they must work to contribute to all of these goals, not just one or two.

Wales’ first Future Generations Commissioner

Watch Sophie Howe, Wales' first Future Generations Commissioner as she explains how the Welsh approach works. As Sophie describes, 48 public bodies are subject to the Act's duties, ranging from Welsh government departments to local authorities, health boards, and organisations like the Arts and Sports councils of Wales. These public bodies need to set wellbeing objectives and targets in accordance with the 7 wellbeing goals and report annually on their progress towards the achievement of these objectives.

The Five Ways of Working

Five ways of working were defined to enable the achievement of the wellbeing goals, by focusing on the long-term, integration, involvement, collaboration, and prevention.

Long-term

The importance of balancing short-term needs with the needs to safeguard the ability to also meet long-term needs.

Integration

Considering how a public body’s wellbeing objectives may impact upon each of the wellbeing goals, on their objectives, or on the objectives of other public bodies.

Involvement

The importance of involving people with an interest in achieving the wellbeing goals and ensuring that those people reflect the diversity of the area which the body serves.