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Harmony Week 15 - 21 March
Cultural Diversity – Our Heritage
Australia is one of the world’s most multicultural nations and is made up of many indigenous, immigrant and refugee cultures. For the past 200 years immigrants have helped change and shape our
national identity by sharing their rich cultural experiences, histories and traditions.
We recognise that Aboriginal peoples are the First Australians and that the Western Australian population is drawn from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. Western Australia is the nation’s most
culturally diverse State with more than a quarter of its population born overseas.
People of more than 200 different nationalities live and work in WA, speak 170 languages and practise over 100 religious faiths. In fact, one in every two Western Australians has a strong connection
with another country and culture.
People from diverse backgrounds have made and continue to make significant contributions both to the economic development of Western Australia and to shaping the political, social, religious, sporting and
cultural life of our State.
Multiculturalism has helped us to develop a dynamic, colourful and vibrant society. Cultural diversity is one of our most valuable assets, enriching our social fabric and bringing with it a variety of cultural and
economic benefits.
Why Harmony Week?
Harmony Week runs from 15-21 March and enables us to recognise and respect our differences, while focusing on what unites us as Western Australians.
Harmony Week, which commenced in 2003, is unique to Western Australia. Harmony Week marked a departure from previous government practice of organising celebratory events on the anniversary of the Sharpeville
massacre, a date that is reserved for reflection.
Harmony Week provides an opportunity for all Western Australians to embrace our diversity and the many benefits
it brings to our society, while also acknowledging that barriers still exist in the community. These barriers, such as racism and discrimination, limit the ability of some groups and individuals to
participate fully in various aspects of public life.
Harmony Week enables Western Australians to take a stand against discrimination and racism in all its forms.
The WA Charter of Multiculturalism
The WA Charter acknowledges people have different needs and are entitled to have them met. This requires sensitivity to the differing
needs of all people and that, in order for all of us to have the same opportunities, some people may have to be treated differently.
To ensure all Western Australians are treated with respect and able to participate equitably in the democratic process, we need to build a
society that is inclusive and free of prejudice and discrimination.
The WA Charter, with its emphasis on removing barriers that limit certain groups of Australians from receiving an equitable share of available
services and resources, is designed to achieve a simple proposition – equality for all in our community.
The WA Charter of Multiculturalism was introduced as government policy in November 2004. It acknowledges the right of all Western Australians,
irrespective of their visible, cultural, ethnic, language, religious or other difference, to participate fully in society.
Harmony Week and Harmony Day - What’s the difference?
Harmony Day – Commonwealth Government
Harmony Day was originally developed in Western Australia in 1998 to promote community harmony and address racism in Western Australia.
Due to the success of Harmony Day in Western Australia, the Commonwealth Government adopted the concept and since 1999 it has been celebrated nationally on 21 March each year.
This date coincides with the UN Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is an important community awareness-raising day that focuses on the need to eliminate racism in all its forms.
Harmony Day, on the other hand, is the ‘celebration’ of cultural diversity, with events on this day often taking the form of activities related to song, dance and food.
These types of activities can undermine the anti-racism message.
Harmony Day events are organised in every State and Territory by the Commonwealth Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
Harmony Week – WA State Government
Western Australians celebrate Harmony Week, and not ‘Harmony Day’.
We do not celebrate Harmony Day because Harmony Day is held on 21 March, the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Therefore 21 March is considered a solemn occasion and the State Government does not encourage events of a celebratory nature on that day.
Western Australians reserve 21 March for reflection and hold celebratory events designed to embrace our diversity in the preceeding six days.
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