Each year, Australian’s celebrate our rich cultural diversity through a week of celebrations called Harmony Week. As stated on www.harmony.gov.au Harmony Week is a time to celebrate that Australia is one of the most successful multicultural societies in the world. It is about inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. This year, Harmony Week will be celebrated from March 17th to 23rd.
Facts & Figures
- More than half of Australian’s were either born overseas or have one parent who was
- More than 7.6 million people have migrated to Australia since 1945
- Australia identifies with over 300 ancestries
- There are over 150 First Nations and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken in Australia
- In 2020, nearly every single country was represented in Australia
The aim of Harmony Week is to acknowledge that our cultural diversity is one of our nation’s great strengths. Not only does this week highlight our rich diversity, but also turns our focus to the urgency of confronting and tackling racism. During the week, is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
You may notice people wear orange during Harmony Week. This is because traditionally, orange is a symbol of social communication, and meaningful conversations. It is encouraged for Australians to participate in this small motion, as it will create a sense of inclusivity, respect and sense of belonging.
