Harmony Day

1.    What is Harmony Day?

Harmony Day is a celebration in Australia dedicated on celebrating the culture diversity and is timed on purpose to fall on the same day as the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Since 1999, thousands of Harmony Day events have been staged in childcare centres, schools, community groups, churches, businesses, and federal, state, and local government agencies across Australia. It should be noted that Harmony Day is a national observance and not a public holiday in Australia.

2.     What is the "message “of Harmony Day?

The main “message” of Harmony Day is to tell its people that “everyone belongs” and to respect one another. The usage of the word harmony has several connotations: amicability, cooperation, understanding; generally positive vibes flow from it.

3.     What is the official colour for the day?

Orange is the official colour of Harmony Day. Australians can choose to wear something orange during Harmony Day to show their support for cultural diversity and an inclusive Australia.

4.     What does the colour stand for / why was this colour chosen?

The colour orange was chosen because orange is traditionally associated with social communication and stimulating two-way conversations. The colour is also said to be a gentle and warm colour inviting people to communicate with each other. 

 

5.     What other important International day shares the day with Harmony day? What connection do these days have with each other?

The other important international day that shares with Harmony Day is as stated above, the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Both celebrations aim to promote harmony and racial tolerance with one another by respecting each other’s culture. 

 

Extras
There are some fascinating statistics about Australia's diversity that can be good
conversation-starters:

• nearly half (49 per cent) of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent who was born overseas
•  we identify with over 300 ancestries
•  since 1945, more than 7.5 million people have migrated to Australia
•  85 per cent of Australians agree multiculturalism has been good for Australia
•  apart from English, the most common languages spoken in Australia are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Italian, Greek, Tagalog/Filipino, Hindi, Spanish and Punjabi
•  more than 70 Indigenous languages are spoken in Australia.

Data taken from ABS 2016 Census Data.