Harmony Day
Encyclopedia
Harmony Day is held on 21 March. Managed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Harmony Day celebrates the cohesive and inclusive nature of Australia and promotes a tolerant and culturally diverse society.
Harmony Day began in 1999, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
and each year, it is an opportunity for everyone to come together and participate in local activities.
Over the years, Harmony Day has grown in popularity as Australians have made the day their own. Communities themselves decide how they would like to come together to mark the occasion – some have morning teas, others organise a fair and some celebrate by dressing in national costumes.
Since 1999, a wide variety of groups including sports organisations, community groups, local government, churches, schools and businesses have staged more than
25 000 Harmony Day events, with nearly 5000 events registered in 2010 alone.
(DIMA) - now the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
The Australian Government's review of the Living in Harmony program was completed in 2009, becoming the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program. The Diversity and Social Cohesion Program provides funding, education and information to help organisations create a spirit of inclusiveness and helps ensure all Australians are treated fairly regardless of their cultural background or circumstance.
Harmony Day began in 1999, coinciding with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March. On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws...
and each year, it is an opportunity for everyone to come together and participate in local activities.
Over the years, Harmony Day has grown in popularity as Australians have made the day their own. Communities themselves decide how they would like to come together to mark the occasion – some have morning teas, others organise a fair and some celebrate by dressing in national costumes.
Since 1999, a wide variety of groups including sports organisations, community groups, local government, churches, schools and businesses have staged more than
25 000 Harmony Day events, with nearly 5000 events registered in 2010 alone.
History
In 1998, the Living in Harmony program was established and administered by the former Department of Immigration and Multicultural AffairsDepartment of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (Australia)
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is an Australian Government department. It is responsible for immigration arrangements, border control, citizenship, ethnic affairs, multicultural affairs. For the 2008-09 financial year, DIAC had an annual operating budget of A$1.7...
(DIMA) - now the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC).
The Australian Government's review of the Living in Harmony program was completed in 2009, becoming the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program. The Diversity and Social Cohesion Program provides funding, education and information to help organisations create a spirit of inclusiveness and helps ensure all Australians are treated fairly regardless of their cultural background or circumstance.
Diversity and Social Cohesion Program
The Diversity and Social Cohesion Program has two key elements: Community Grants and Harmony Day.- Community Grants are designed to fund local projects that address cultural, racial and religious intolerance at a communityCommunityThe term community has two distinct meanings:*a group of interacting people, possibly living in close proximity, and often refers to a group that shares some common values, and is attributed with social cohesion within a shared geographical location, generally in social units larger than a household...
level. Grants are available to incorporated, non-profit organisationsNon-profit organizationNonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
.
- Harmony Day celebrations began in 1999 and originally involved mainly primary-school aged children and community groups. Over the years, the event has been expanded to involve the wider community. Harmony Day’s continuing success is due to the ongoing support it receives from the wider community such as schools, community organisations, local councils and business.