Harmony Day: “It's About Respect and Belonging” - Hope 103.2

Harmony Day: “It’s About Respect and Belonging”

Get your national dress (or orange shirt) ready, Harmony Week is here and there are events in communities throughout Australia.

By Mike CrooksWednesday 20 Mar 2024NewsReading Time: 4 minutes

It’s no surprise that Harmony Week is a massive cultural event in Australia – over half the nation’s citizens were born overseas, or have at least one parent who was born in another country.
Key points
  • As a day of anti-racial discrimination, this year’s theme is “Everyone Belongs”.
  • Across Australia there are hundreds of events celebrating multiculturalism.
  • Harmony Week is celebrated during the week that ​includes March 21, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Multiculturalism is “one of Australia’s greatest strengths,” says Multicultural Affairs Minister Andrew Giles.

“This week provides all of us with an occasion to celebrate our vibrant multiculturalism. And reflect on how each of us, and more of us, can do more to help stamp out racism in our communities.”

A celebration

Welcome to Harmony Week, which runs from March 18 to March 24. Harmony Day – traditionally an international day of anti-racial discrimination – takes place on Thursday, March 21.

This year’s theme is “Everyone Belongs”.

Across Australia there are events, gatherings and themed days at schools, where students are encouraged to attend in the national dress of the country of their heritage, or in the Harmony Day colour of orange. (Some school events take place outside of the actual week.)

This year’s theme is “Everyone Belongs”.

“Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises our diversity and brings together Australians from all different backgrounds,” read a Harmony Day statement.

“It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.​”

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Events

Across Australia there are hundreds of events celebrating multiculturalism.

The events in Sydney include a free multicultual bash hosted by the Penrith City Council at Lang Park, St Marys on Saturday (March 23).

From 4pm, “come and enjoy the best beats, bites and performances from all over the world,” promise organisers.

The day will include performances from cultural dance groups, workshops, food and live music.

On Harmony Day on Thursday, Parramatta is hosting the “Harmony Day at Western Sydney Startup Hub”. The Startup Hub, on Fleet Street, is a “future-focused and community-driven innovation hub that brings together entrepreneurs, startups, scaleups, small businesses and corporates, supporting them to grow, thrive and succeed,” according to a NSW Government statement.

Across Australia there are hundreds of events celebrating multiculturalism.

The event is for people to learn about how to support cultural diversity in the workplace.

“Everyone is encouraged to bring along something that represents their culture, whether it’s a local dish from your home country, a piece of art or even wearing traditional clothing,” read a statement for the event, which is run by Spacecubed.

In the Sutherland Shire, the council is holding a “Harmony Week Cultural Celebration” at Monro Park, Cronulla, on Sunday (March 24).

The free event will include Chinese Lion Dancing, Persian calligraphy, henna painting stalls, and a Brazilian DJ.

Also on Sunday, at Randwick’s much-loved restaurant and cinema hub at St Pauls St, will be the annual Spot Festival – a multicultural celebration of culture, food, live music, entertainment and more.

There will be musical performances and stall holders.

“50 years ago, multiculturalism became official Australian government policy, with the goal of making this a land of equal opportunity for all people,” said Minister Giles.

“And 50 years on, our multiculturalism policy continues to build toward this ideal.”

Harmony Week history

Harmony Week is celebrated during the week (Monday to Sunday) that ​includes March 21, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

In 1999 under Prime Minister John Howard, March 21 became Harmony Day in Australia.

Harmony Week is celebrated during the week that ​includes March 21, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Then, two decades later in 2019, Prime Minister Scott Morrison introduced Harmony Week.

“Since 1999, more than 80,000 Harmony Week events have been held in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies across Australia,” read a Harmony Day statement.

Why orange?

According to Harmony Week organisers, orange signifies social communication, freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

“Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Week to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia,” read a Harmony Week statement.

Facts and stats

  • More than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.
  • Since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia.
  • 85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been “good for Australia”.
  • The most common languages spoken in Australia (after English) are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi. (Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics.)

For more information on Harmony Week, including events all across Australia, visit here.


Feature image: Photo by CanvaPro