New children's commissioner for Wales appointed
Katy Morton
Monday, January 10, 2022
Rocio Cifuentes, the current chief executive of a voluntary organisation that supports people from ethnic minority backgrounds, has been chosen as the new Children’s Commissioner for Wales.
Cifuentes will take up the position in April when Sally Holland’s tenure as commissioner ends.
Born in Chile, Cifuentes arrived in Wales when she was one year old with her parents as political refugees. She attended Cambridge University where she read Social and Political Science, before undertaking a Masters in Social Research, at Swansea University.
She has led the Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team (EYST) since it was established in 2005. Cifuentes previously worked for the Council of Ethnic Minority Voluntary Organisation, Swansea Young Single Homelessness Project, Gower College and Swansea University.
Wales’ First Minister Mark Drakeford said, ‘The role of children’s commissioner is an extremely important one – the pandemic has caused huge disruption to the lives of children. This role will help to shape the future for a generation of children, whose lives have been shaped by coronavirus. That’s why it is so important to continue to have a strong voice to speak up for them and to inform our decision making.
‘I want to pay tribute to Sally Holland for all her work during her time as children’s commissioner. Sally has been a strong advocate for the children and young people in Wales.'
The First Minister accepted a recommendation from a cross-party panel of Members of the Senedd, to appoint Cifuentes as the next children’s commissioner for Wales.
Cifuentes said, 'It’s an immense honour and privilege to be appointed as the children’s commissioner for Wales.
'To all the children and young people of Wales, I make the commitment today to ensure your voice, your views and your future is at the heart of everything we do.'
