Harmony Week celebrates Australia’s cultural diversity. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.
Harmony Week is on 21 – 27 March 2022. It coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on 21 March.
Harmony Week is about coming together to celebrate the cultural diversity in your area and spreading the message that ‘everyone belongs.’ This is a great time to celebrate and learn about the cultural diversity in your Group, and reinforce messages that everyone is welcome.
During Harmony Week, run a program activity related to learning about or celebrating cultural diversity. Some program areas are:
Cook a traditional food related to one of the cultures represented in your group or area (or go out to a restaurant from that culture). While you are eating it together learn about its origins and when/how it is traditionally eaten.
For younger sections, hop on board a (pretend) plane and visit 3-4 countries throughout the night, stopping to do an activity at each one. You could learn a dance, make a costume, each some food or play a sport related to that culture. Make passports to be stamped at each country as you go.
Ask members to create a pop-up museum by bringing along objects that are important to their families cultural background. Members can then run tours and share the stories behind the objects they have brought along.
Organise to have someone come along and teach a cultural dance or exercise (Irish dancing, the New Zealand Haka, Tai Chi etc)
Ask an elder from your local Traditional Owner (Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander) community to come and perform a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony, and help members understand more about the Country they live on.
Invite an immigrant or refugee to share their story of their journey to Australia.