Harmony Week

Harmony Week is an opportunity for all Western Australians to celebrate our vibrant multicultural State.

Harmony Week 2023 Banner

 

The week runs from 15 to 21 March every year and encourages everyone to experience, explore and appreciate WA's wealth of cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

Harmony Week is a State Government multicultural community relations initiative.​​

About Harmony Week

In 2000 the Federal Government declared 21 March, National Harmony Day.  This is the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (commemorating the Sharpeville massacre in South Africa in 1960).

Harmony Week was instituted in Western Australia in 2003 following concerns voiced by peak bodies and community organisations that it was inappropriate to stage celebratory events on the anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre.

Why are WA’s Harmony Week dates different?

WA has celebrated Harmony Week on the same dates since 2003. The dates chosen are designed to enable celebrations from 15 to 20 March, followed by a day of reflection on 21 March.

The federal dates are aligned to the calendar week on which the 21 March falls. In 2023 this will be 20-26 March.

Both the WA and the federal dates are designed to recognise the importance of the 21 March – the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Cultural diversity’s benefits

Harmony Week is an opportunity to consider the many benefits WA gains from its culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) communities.

Benefits include job creation, improved skill levels, the introduction of new skills and networks, and improved economies of scale.

The economic advantages are also many. Our diverse communities link us strongly with the rest of the world and increase our competitiveness in this global market.

Harmony Week is an opportunity for all Western Australians to celebrate our diversity while working to remove barriers that still exist in the community.

Why does orange represent Harmony Week??

Orange has been the Harmony Week colour since the first event was held in 1999.

Traditionally, orange signifies social communication and meaningful conversations. It also relates to the freedom of ideas and encouragement of mutual respect.

Wearing something orange during Harmony Week shows support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

Resources

Posters

Social Media

How to use Selfie Frame: Download the frame and open it in your chosen photo editor. Then paste your image neatly inside the frame (you might need to crop or resize your image to make it fit).

Want to make your own larger selfie frame for your event? use the template below.

Email Signatures

Badges

Kits

Event Planning

 

Useful links

Explore the following resources to inspire your Harmony Week activities. 

Food, Faith and Love in WA

Find out how the themes of food, faith and love can touch us and shape the direction of our lives.

Voices in Harmony playlist

Give your Harmony Week events the sound and spirit of harmony with this playlist of local culturally and linguistically diverse music.

Discover Multicultural Perth

Find out how WA's many culturally and linguistically diverse communities have shaped Perth and made it into the vibrant city it is today.

Department of Home Affairs Harmony Week Resources


Harmony Week 2023 grant recipients

The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) offers grants of $2,000 to support community-led activities promoting and celebrating multiculturalism in Western Australia for inclusion in its Harmony Week 2023 campaign.

Applications were accepted between 22 August and 10 October 2022.  

The list of successful applicants can be found here:

Harmony Week grant recipients 2023

Organisations who receive a grant to support their Harmony Week activity are required to acknowledge the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries in the promotions of their activity.

You can download the required logo in the format you prefer here. 

Project planning resources are also available for download. These resources include a budget template, a project plan template and an Event Management Planning Guide. You are welcome to use these resources to plan your Harmony Week activities. ​ 

 

Page reviewed 09 March 2023