News
Harmony Day 2002
On 21 March 2002, Harmony Day will be celebrated in Australia for the fourth time. The day, an initiative of the Commonwealth Government's Living in Harmony program, coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racism. Harmony Day aims to encourage Australians to:
- take a stand against racism, prejudice and intolerance;
- help build a peaceful, productive future for our children through example;
- make the most of our racial, cultural, social and religious diversity;
- practice traditional values of justice, equality, fairness and friendship.
The Council of Multicultural Australia (CMA) sees Harmony Day as an opportunity for Australians to reflect on and celebrate Australia's success as a harmonious and culturally diverse nation. The convenor of the CMA's Education Working Group, Mr George Smolicz, provided this message for Australian schools:
Australia is a nation built from many different cultural backgrounds. These differences make our community stronger, they do not harm us. Everyone shares in the social and economic benefits of community harmony, but supporting it also takes commitment and effort from everyone - governments, individuals, old and young, families, communities and the corporate sector.
Racism is wrong. Racism damages its victims and hurts our whole community. Racism prevents people from doing lots of different things in our society and from adding their talents and skills to our development as a nation. One way of tackling racism effectively is to promote harmony amongst different groups in our society.
To celebrate the many different types of people, talent and cultures in Australia, the CMA and the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) invite you and your friends and your school to take part in Harmony Day on 21 March 2002.
For more information on ideas and how you and your friends and your school can celebrate Harmony Day 2002, please contact the Harmony Day Team on:
Phone: 1800 78 2002
Email: hd2002@immi.gov.au
Internet:www.immi.gov.au/harmony
