Celebrating cultural diversity is at the heart of Harmony Week.
Harmony Week has been celebrated in Australia since 1999. It is celebrated during the week (Monday to Sunday) that includes 21 March, which is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
With the ongoing theme of “Everyone belongs”, Harmony Week is a time at which Australians come together to celebrate Australia’s multiculturalism and our shared values of inclusiveness, respect, equality , freedom and belonging, and to reflect on ways we can continue to develop our intercultural understanding and strengthen community harmony.
Orange is the colour chosen to represent Harmony Week: it signifies social communication and relates to freedom of ideas and the fostering of mutual respect.
Events celebrating Harmony Week are not limited to schools, but are held across the country at community centres, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies.
For inspiration planning your Harmony Week event, Event Planning Kits, Harmony Week stories, resources, answers to Frequently Asked Questions, and additional information are available on the Harmony Week website.
More information
- NSW Department of Education Schools can visit the multicultural education website for ideas on planning for Harmony Week
