Harmony Day

In Australia, Harmony Day falls on 21 March, which celebrates the country’s cultural diversity and the successful integration of migrants into Australia’s community. It is about celebrating inclusiveness, respect and belonging for all Australians, regardless of any cultural or linguistic background, united by a set of core Australian values. It began in 1999 and it falls on the same day of the United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Harmony Day is a national observance and not a public holiday in Australia and most of the businesses follow regular opening hours. Across Australia, thousands of events are staged on Harmony Day in childcare centers, schools, community groups, churches, businesses and federal, state and local government agencies. Some of the events are morning teas, fairs, concerts, school assemblies, sporting events and national costume days to showcase cultures, traditions and backgrounds. It makes Australia a great place to live.

Harmony Day centers on the message that “Everyone belongs”, highlighting the importance of inclusiveness to all Australians. It is about community participation, inclusiveness, celebrating diversity, respect and belonging.

Orange is the official color for the day. Orange stands for social communication and meaningful conversations. It is also related to the freedom of ideas and encouraging mutual respect. Australians prefer wearing something orange during 17-23 March (Harmony Week) to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

The United Nations’ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination falls on the same day as Harmony Day. On 21 March 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws. Declaring the day in 1966, the United Nations General Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

Every year the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is under one specific theme:

• v  2010: Disqualify Racism
• v  2014: The Role of Leaders in Combatting Racism and Racial Discrimination
• v  2015: Learning from tragedies to combat racial discrimination today
• v  2017: Racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including in the context of migration
• v  2018: Promoting tolerance, inclusion, unity and respect for diversity in the context of combating racial discrimination
• v  2019: Mitigating and countering rising nationalist populism and extreme supremacist ideologies

In Australia the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 was a landmark in race relations. The Act was a legislative expression of a new commitment to multiculturalism and it reflected the ratification by Australia of the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination.

There is a connection of participation in community, inclusiveness, celebrating diversity, respect and belonging between Harmony Day and International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Both days are celebrated for the well-being of people in the community.